1. Introduction: Why Septic Contractors Struggle Online

Let’s be real. If you’re like most septic contractors, you don’t have time to sit at a computer all day trying to figure out how Google works. You're out in the field, dealing with tanks, trucks, permits, and tight schedules. But here’s the frustrating part: even though you do great work, your phone isn't ringing like it used to.

You’ve probably thought, “Why does the guy down the road—who cuts corners—get more jobs than me?”

It’s not because he’s better. It’s because when people in your town search for a “septic company near me,” he shows up... and you don’t.

We’re Excavation Marketing Pros, and we work with septic contractors across the U.S. Every day we hear the same thing: “We’re not showing up online—and we don’t know why.”

Let’s fix that. Starting with the exact keywords that will help you get seen and hired.

2. What Are SEO Keywords, and Why Should You Care?

In plain English, SEO keywords are the words your customers type into Google when they need a septic service. Stuff like:

• “Septic pumping near me”
  
  

• “How much does a septic tank cost?”
  
  

• “Best septic company in [my town]”
  
  

When your website has the right keywords in the right places, you show up higher in search results. When you don’t, you’re invisible.

Think of it like this: your website is a truck. Keywords are the gas. Without the gas, you’re not going anywhere.

3. How Customers Actually Search for Septic Services

Here’s what most homeowners don’t do: they don’t search for “wastewater remediation contractor.” That sounds fancy, but it's not what they type.

Instead, they Google simple, everyday stuff like:

• “Septic inspection before buying a house”
  
  

• “Toilet backing up – need septic help”
  
  

• “How often do I pump my septic tank?”
  
  

Your job is to match what they search for—not what you call the service.

4. The 20 Best SEO Keywords for Septic Contractors (Revealed)

These are high-performing keywords we’ve used on real campaigns. They work because they match what your customers are already searching for.

Top Keywords:

1. Septic pumping near me
   
   

2. Septic tank installation
   
   

3. Septic system inspection
   
   

4. Septic repair services
   
   

5. Emergency septic pumping
   
   

6. Septic system replacement
   
   

7. Septic tank cleaning
   
   

8. Septic services in [your city]
   
   

9. How much does a septic system cost?
   
   

10. Septic tank maintenance tips
    
    

11. Best septic company near me
    
    

12. Septic tank riser installation
    
    

13. Septic leach field repair
    
    

14. Septic system installers
    
    

15. Local septic contractor
    
    

16. Affordable septic service
    
    

17. Septic tank pumping cost
    
    

18. Septic system backup help
    
    

19. Septic service for realtors
    
    

20. Licensed septic contractors
    
    

5. Keyword Intent: Which Ones Bring You Paying Customers?

Not all keywords are created equal.

Some people are just researching. Others are ready to hire now.

Buyer keywords (these are gold):

• “Emergency septic repair”
  
  

• “Septic pumping near me”
  
  

• “Licensed septic contractor in [city]”
  
  

Research keywords (good for blog posts, not landing pages):

• “How does a septic system work?”
  
  

• “What’s the average lifespan of a septic tank?”
  
  

You need both. The first group brings in the fast leads. The second group helps build trust and keeps Google happy.

6. Local SEO Keywords: Winning in Your Service Area

Google favors local companies. That’s good news—if you help it connect the dots.

You need to include your city, county, and nearby towns in your keywords. Don’t just say “septic repair.” Say:

• “Septic repair in Smith County”
  
  

• “Johnston septic services”
  
  

• “Emergency septic company near Fayetteville”
  
  

Add these to your homepage, service pages, and especially your Google Business Profile.

7. How to Use These Keywords on Your Website

Sprinkling keywords randomly won’t cut it. You need them in specific spots:

• ✅ Page titles
  
  

• ✅ Headings (like H1 and H2)
  
  

• ✅ First paragraph
  
  

• ✅ Image file names and alt text
  
  

• ✅ Meta description
  
  

• ✅ URL slug (ex: /septic-pumping-[city])
  
  

• ✅ Internal links
  
  

But don’t stuff them. Write for people first, then tweak for Google.

Example:
Bad = “Septic tank pumping septic tank pumping septic tank pumping”
Good = “If your tank’s overdue, our licensed crew offers quick and clean septic tank pumping in [city].”

8. Bonus Tips: Avoiding Keyword Mistakes That Cost You Leads

🚫 Don’t use the same keyword on every page — Google gets confused
🚫 Don’t forget your service area — “near me” only works if your local info is clear
🚫 Don’t ignore mobile — most septic searches happen on phones
🚫 Don’t keyword-stuff — sounds fake, turns customers off
✅ Do focus on clear, simple words your customer would use
✅ Do add FAQs and blog posts with long-tail keywords
✅ Do update your site monthly — Google likes fresh content

9. What We’ve Seen Work for Real Septic Companies

One of our clients in North Carolina was spending $1,200/month on ads and getting maybe 3-4 calls a week. We rewrote his site, added keywords like “emergency septic pumping” and “drain field repair in Henderson County,” and built out blog posts to answer local septic questions.

Within 90 days, his site went from page 4 to the top 3 results—and the calls doubled.

Another contractor didn’t even show up for “septic installation” in his own town. We added the right city-specific keywords and made his Google Business Profile match... now he outranks national chains.

10. Next Steps: Turning Keywords Into Phone Calls

Now that you’ve got the keywords, here’s what you do:

• ✅ Add them to your site in all the key spots
  
  

• ✅ Create service pages for each keyword
  
  

• ✅ Write blog posts that answer septic questions in your area
  
  

• ✅ Update your Google Business Profile with matching phrases
  
  

• ✅ Track which ones bring in the best leads (we help with that too)
  
  

At Excavation Marketing Pros, we’re not the biggest firm out there. But we know septic, we know SEO, and we know how to get your phone ringing.

We treat every client like they’re our only one—because we know your reputation is riding on more than just your work. It’s riding on whether people can even find you.

Let’s fix that—starting with the right words.