Local search engine optimization (LSEO) is a process that helps businesses rank better for local searches. It involves optimizing your website, Google My Business page, social media profiles and local listings in order to boost your visibility online.
It’s essential to comprehend how search engines rank local results and which factors contribute to those rankings. Doing so will enable you to focus your efforts on factors that matter most to your target audience.
1. Optimize your website.
Local SEO is an essential strategy for financial advisors, helping you attract more leads and customers. To optimize your website for local seo, you must adhere to some basic rules and best practices.
First and foremost, make sure your site is optimized for mobile devices. As more and more people are using their phones to search for businesses, this becomes even more essential.
Structured data markup on your website helps search engines better comprehend what you offer and where you are located. By including these codes, you will likely improve your ranking on Google’s local pack as well as other results pages.
Another essential local SEO strategy is creating content that highlights your business and community. This could take the form of blogs, events or industry news.
2. Optimize your Google My Business page.
Optimizing your Google My Business page is a critical element of local SEO. Not only does it aid with rankings, but it also presents you with chances to engage with customers and gain insight into their purchasing behavior.
To get your business up and running, the first step is to claim it and update all necessary information. This includes your name, address, phone number and website URL.
Another way to boost your local search ranking is by ensuring all details on your GMB profile match those on your website, social media profiles and any other listings. Even minor discrepancies can raise a red flag with Google and negatively affect your ranking.
Optimizing your GMB profile is essential, as it contains all of the information displayed in both the map pack (the group of three listings at the top of organic search results) and on Google Maps. Setting up all essential details correctly is key for getting the most out of this free yet powerful tool.
3. Optimize your social media profiles.
As previously discussed, search engines like Google and Bing prioritize social profiles in their localized results. This presents businesses with an excellent opportunity to drive referral traffic to their websites.
One of the best ways to optimize your social media profiles for local search engine optimization (SEO) is by including your company’s location and website URL in each bio. This will increase keyword usage across all profiles, while providing a direct link to your website from each profile.
Another essential step to improve your social SEO is making sure that the NAP (name, address and phone number) of your business remains consistent across all social networks. Doing this will prevent anyone from claiming and listing it elsewhere without consent from you.
4. Optimize your local listings.
Maintaining your local listings is an integral part of a successful local SEO strategy. These citations help promote your business online, and when managed effectively can even boost your rankings in local searches.
Maintaining your local listing information accurately and consistently across directories and social media platforms is essential for improving your search visibility. Incorrect or incomplete data can tarnish your brand’s reputation as well as adversely affect your rankings in searches.
Your business’ NAP (name, address and phone number) is an integral element of local search optimization. Make sure your business’ NAP information matches across all online properties such as your website and GMB (Google My Business).
Submitting your business to relevant directories is an effective way to build links, boost rankings in local searches, and boost local search traffic. Unfortunately, it can be a time-consuming and laborious task.