Web designers face a constant challenge: building beautiful websites while maintaining strong SEO performance. But what if there was a way to get ahead of the curve?
While other web design companies fight over saturated keywords, you’re about to get your hands on 175 high-potential SEO keywords that most of your competitors don’t even know exist.
After analyzing 14,545 keywords from enterprise SEO tools (SEMRush & Ahref), with a combined monthly search volume of 2.1 million, I’ve uncovered distinct patterns in how potential clients search for web design services.
The data reveals 11 strategic keyword categories, from core services to specialized development solutions, each targeting different client journey stages.
My 15 years in SEO have taught me that successful keyword strategy isn’t about copying a list – it’s about understanding patterns and search behavior.
These 141 keywords serve as strategic starting points, helping you uncover similar high-intent terms that align with your specific services, location, and business goals. Think of this as your keyword research compass, not just a destination.
Let’s cut to the chase and dive into these keyword categories.
1. Core Web Design Keywords
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
website design | 135,000 | High |
web design services | 40,500 | Moderate |
web design company | 38,000 | High |
graphic design services | 33,000 | Moderate |
custom website design | 27,000 | High |
freelance web designer | 27,000 | High |
logo design services | 22,000 | Moderate |
hire web designer | 18,500 | High |
professional website design | 18,000 | High |
branding services | 16,500 | Moderate |
responsive web design | 15,000 | High |
professional graphic designer | 12,100 | High |
ecommerce website design | 12,000 | High |
web design agency | 9,900 | High |
hire graphic designer | 8,800 | High |
graphic design firms | 3,300 | High |
design agency services | 2,900 | High |
2. Pricing & Packages
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
website design cost | 12,400 | Moderate |
web design pricing | 9,900 | Moderate |
graphic design prices | 8,800 | Easy |
logo design cost | 7,600 | Easy |
affordable web design | 6,200 | Moderate |
web design packages | 5,800 | Moderate |
cheap website design | 4,900 | Moderate |
website design packages | 4,200 | Moderate |
graphic design rates | 3,800 | Easy |
branding package prices | 3,200 | Easy |
📍 IMPORTANT
Here’s the reality about keyword research – context is everything. While analyzing web design keywords, I didn’t know if you were:
- A boutique web design studio in Seattle
- A full-service digital agency serving enterprise clients
- A freelance web developer just starting out
- An established agency looking to expand into new niches
- Specializing in ecommerce or SaaS development
- Focusing on specific industries like healthcare or real estate
- Offering custom development or template-based solutions
That’s why effective keyword research must be customized to your unique situation. What works for a large web development agency won’t necessarily work for a solo web designer.
Don’t copy these keywords blindly – use them as a compass to discover your own unique keyword opportunities.
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3. Location Keywords
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
web design near me | 49,500 | High |
website designer near me | 33,000 | High |
graphic designer near me | 27,000 | High |
local web design company | 9,900 | Moderate |
web design agency london | 5,500 | High |
local graphic designer | 4,400 | Moderate |
web design los angeles | 3,900 | High |
web design new york | 3,800 | High |
web design chicago | 3,600 | High |
web design miami | 3,400 | High |
4. Portfolios & Examples
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
web design portfolio | 18,200 | Moderate |
website design examples | 12,100 | Easy |
graphic design portfolio | 9,900 | Moderate |
web design inspiration | 8,800 | Easy |
portfolio websites | 7,700 | Moderate |
website examples | 6,600 | Easy |
graphic design examples | 5,500 | Easy |
logo design portfolio | 4,400 | Moderate |
best website designs | 4,200 | Easy |
portfolio design ideas | 3,300 | Easy |
5. Tools & Resources
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
website builder | 165,000 | High |
web design software | 22,000 | Moderate |
graphic design tools | 18,500 | Moderate |
web design templates | 14,300 | Moderate |
graphic design software | 12,100 | Moderate |
website templates | 9,900 | High |
logo maker | 9,500 | High |
design tools | 8,800 | Moderate |
web design resources | 4,400 | Easy |
graphic design templates | 4,200 | Easy |
6. Web Design Problems & Solutions
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
---|---|---|
website not mobile friendly | 27,400 | Moderate |
responsive design issues | 18,200 | Moderate |
website loading slow | 14,900 | High |
website design error | 12,100 | Easy |
fix website layout | 9,900 | Moderate |
website not responsive | 8,800 | Moderate |
website redesign cost | 8,400 | Moderate |
mobile website problems | 7,700 | Moderate |
website navigation issues | 6,600 | Easy |
broken website design | 5,500 | Easy |
website compatibility issues | 4,900 | Easy |
website design troubleshooting | 4,400 | Easy |
website accessibility problems | 4,200 | Easy |
website color scheme help | 3,800 | Easy |
website maintenance issues | 3,300 | Easy |
7. Courses & Workshops
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
learn web design | 12,100 | Moderate |
web design course | 9,900 | Moderate |
graphic design courses | 8,800 | Moderate |
web design tutorial | 7,700 | Easy |
learn graphic design | 6,600 | Moderate |
web design certification | 4,400 | Moderate |
graphic design classes | 4,200 | Moderate |
web design training | 3,300 | Easy |
design workshops | 2,900 | Easy |
online design courses | 2,800 | Easy |
8. Niche-Specific Keywords
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
ecommerce website design | 12,000 | High |
church website design | 8,800 | Moderate |
small business website design | 8,100 | High |
medical website design | 6,600 | High |
restaurant website design | 6,200 | High |
real estate website design | 5,900 | High |
dental website design | 5,500 | High |
business website design | 5,400 | High |
law firm website design | 4,900 | High |
hotel website design | 4,400 | Moderate |
retail website design | 4,200 | Moderate |
healthcare website design | 3,900 | High |
school website design | 3,800 | Moderate |
nonprofit website design | 3,600 | Moderate |
construction website design | 3,400 | Moderate |
9. Platform/CMS Specific
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
wordpress design | 110,000 | High |
wix website design | 49,500 | High |
squarespace design | 40,500 | High |
shopify website design | 33,000 | High |
wordpress designer | 27,000 | High |
webflow design | 18,200 | High |
wordpress design services | 14,800 | High |
elementor design | 12,100 | Moderate |
wix designer | 9,900 | Moderate |
wordpress custom design | 8,800 | High |
squarespace designer | 8,400 | Moderate |
shopify designer | 7,700 | Moderate |
duda website design | 6,600 | Moderate |
weebly design | 5,500 | Moderate |
10. Web Development Keywords
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
web development services | 27,000 | High |
custom web development | 22,000 | High |
web application development | 18,500 | High |
full stack development | 14,800 | High |
frontend development | 12,100 | Moderate |
backend development | 9,900 | Moderate |
mobile web development | 8,800 | High |
ecommerce development | 8,400 | High |
wordpress development | 7,700 | High |
php development | 6,600 | Moderate |
javascript development | 5,500 | Moderate |
api development | 4,900 | High |
cms development | 4,400 | Moderate |
database development | 4,200 | Moderate |
progressive web app development | 3,800 | High |
11. Web Development Solutions
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
website migration services | 12,100 | High |
api integration | 9,900 | High |
database optimization | 8,800 | High |
web security solutions | 8,400 | High |
performance optimization | 7,700 | High |
cloud deployment | 6,600 | High |
code optimization | 5,500 | Moderate |
website maintenance | 5,400 | Moderate |
devops services | 4,900 | High |
automated testing | 4,400 | Moderate |
continuous integration | 4,200 | Moderate |
version control setup | 3,900 | Easy |
web hosting setup | 3,600 | Moderate |
ssl installation | 3,300 | Easy |
backup solutions | 3,100 | Easy |
Skip the Costly Trial-and-Error Approach
Get personalized keyword research for your web design business that drives targeted traffic and converts leads.
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Final Thoughts
The web design and development landscape is more complex than ever. The 141 keywords we’ve explored reveal clear patterns in how clients search for these services.
But here’s what really matters: the way you use this information.
Through this analysis, several key insights stand out:
- Client problems drive searches more than services do. The high search volumes for terms like “website not mobile friendly” (27,400 searches) and “website loading slow” (14,900 searches) show that pain points often trigger the search for web design services.
- Industry specialization is becoming crucial. The data shows significant search volume across specific industries – from healthcare to real estate. This suggests clients are increasingly looking for designers who understand their particular sector.
- The technical-design divide is blurring. The substantial search volume for both design and development terms indicates clients expect comprehensive solutions. The days of being “just a web designer” are fading.
- Local search remains powerful. Terms like “web design near me” (49,500 searches) continue to dominate, showing that despite our digital world, clients still value local connections.
But perhaps the most important takeaway isn’t about the keywords themselves. It’s about understanding the story behind them. Every search term represents a real person with a real business need. Some are frustrated with their current website. Others are ready to launch their first online presence. Many are somewhere in between.
Your success in SEO won’t come from targeting every high-volume keyword. It will come from choosing the right battles – the ones that align with your expertise, your resources, and most importantly, your ideal clients.
Let these insights guide your strategy, but remember: the best keyword research is the one that reflects your unique value proposition in the market. That’s where the real opportunity lies.
What’s your next step? Start by identifying which of these keyword categories aligns most closely with your strengths. Then dig deeper into those niches. That’s how you’ll find your sweet spot in this crowded market.