SEO (search engine optimization) is ever changing. Google always introduces new features and upgrades on its Search Engine Result Pages for local searches. You might be learning the ropes and finally grasping what it is all about, but then a new update kicks in and you have to start all over again.
Local SEO is an approach to search engine optimization that focuses on a user’s location and intent. Local SEO can be thought of as a technique for using the “location” of your website in relationship to the subject matter indexed by local search engines.
Local SEO is a search engine optimization strategy that helps your business be more visible in local search results on Google.
Benefits of Local SEO
There are many reasons why all businesses should invest in local SEO. This is because search engines have realized that many users are looking for specific services and products near them. According to Google, 46% of searches now have a ‘local intent’.
This means potential customers are searching for your services within your service area, and if you boost your local SEO, your business will be the one they find.
A successful local SEO campaign will help your business because:
- Local SEO increases your website’s rankings in the search results and in the local pack. This is important because it will increase traffic to your website, which can lead you to more sales or leads.
- It receives the highest conversion levels of all local advertising channels.
- It increases your online visibility, especially to neighbouring customers.
- It increases organic traffic to your website and helps you earn more qualified leads.
- It will help you outrank your local competitors.
- It helps mobile users easily find your business, whether in the search engines, through directories, or through social media channels.
- It ensures your business is found on Google maps and through other navigational apps.
5 Tips to improve your Local SEO
- Create and optimize your Google My Business:
To begin, you need to claim your business on Google My Business. This will establish your presence for free on the search engine. Also, your business will show up on Google Maps. If Google authenticates your business as legitimate, it could also surface in the valuable sidebar space of a Google search.
When you’re updating your Google My Business listing or other maps feed, always provide deep links that take the searcher directly to the details for the location they’re interested in, rather than dropping them on a high-level page or homepage where they would have to search again for details.
- Build your citations:
A citation is any reference to your company’s name online. Citations help potential customers find information about you and help search engines determine your location and deliver accurate results.
A business needs to be at least included in citation sites and online business directories. This will help customers find your company. A complete citation usually includes a company’s name, address, phone number, and website URL on citation sites. Adding extra information to business directories will help improve your search rankings.
- Take your reviews seriously:
Get customers to write reviews about your business. This will encourage more local buyers to buy from you and also optimise your Google My Business page. BrightLocal research shows that 90% of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business.
74% of consumers say positive reviews make them trust a local business more. Research also shows that 84% of searchers trust online reviews as much as a personal reference. This means that website visitors will trust a random stranger’s opinion of your company as much as a trusted friend’s. As such, the better your reviews, the better your local SEO
- Optimize for mobile friendliness:
In order to be a major player in local search, you have to optimize your website for mobile. A study from Acquisio revealed that 75% of all local mobile searches result in an offline visit to the store within 24 hours.
50% of mobile users will abandon a page if it doesn’t load in 10 seconds and 60% of them will not return to that site. Shoppers on mobile devices make up for between 20%-30% of retailers’ site traffic, meaning that a fast website optimised for mobile users is crucial to a good user experience. You don’t want to lose out on the lucrative online and offline traffic from mobile users so optimise your website with mobile users in mind.
- Publish and optimize localised website content:
If you have a small business with only one location, create an “About Us” page that focuses on local, relevant information. For example, if you have a beauty salon, your “About Us” page can talk about your salon handling the hair and makeup of the town’s local pageant. If you have multiple locations, endeavour to create unique content for each page.
Conclusion:
If you’re a small business owner, getting web traffic from consumers in a different city, state, or country won’t do anything to build your business. In local SEO, you increase traffic from consumers in your specific service area, which means you will get a higher visit-to-sale rate.
AI Advertisment may prove to be the best choice for you. Sounds interesting? We are a click away.