Local SEO involves optimizing your website so it appears in search results for specific geographical regions. Doing this can help attract more customers and expand your business. Here are a few steps to get you started:
Use Keyword Planner to quickly discover local keywords being targeted by competitors and Google autocomplete to discover relevant new ones.
Keyword research
Local keyword research is an integral component of SEO strategies, helping businesses uncover which search terms their potential customers are using and ranking higher in local searches – potentially leading to more traffic and sales for your business.
Google Keyword Planner and SEMRush offer several tools you can use for local keyword research, giving an accurate picture of which words and phrases are most relevant for your business, along with their search volumes and keyword difficulty levels.
When conducting local SEO keyword research, it is crucial that your chosen keywords reflect local intent. You should be able to tell whether your target audience is searching locally by checking whether the keyword comes with an accompanying map or list of businesses nearby; otherwise consider selecting another keyword instead.
On-page optimization
Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of optimizing your website to target specific search queries, which in turn attract more customers and drive sales growth for your business. Furthermore, Local SEO reduces advertising expenses like pamphlets, banners and hoardings allowing businesses to save costs associated with traditional channels like newspaper advertisements.
One of the primary aspects of local SEO is your website content. For optimal local SEO results, this should reflect local audience needs while using natural keywords – as well as being engaging, informative and inclusive. To maximize local SEO effectiveness you can utilize various tools that track performance to monitor how you rank in Map Pack results.
Focus on collecting customer reviews as part of your strategy. According to a survey by Reviewtrackers, 92% of local searches are influenced by online reviews. To encourage customers to leave reviews for you, display them on your Google Business Profile and implement a system for collecting them.
Link building
Link building in local SEO is an integral component of digital marketing strategies, helping search engines recognize your business as credible and trustworthy, leading to more website visits and higher sales. However, it’s essential that this be done properly as using incorrect methods could compromise results.
One way of building local links is by creating a local SEO landing page. These pages are tailored towards targeting a particular market and typically contain keyword information, meta descriptions and onsite content; additionally they can be optimized to rank on Google.
Submitting your business to local directories is another effective strategy for increasing local links. These sites appear prominently for search queries related to specific topics, and they can drive additional website traffic. Furthermore, using directories generates local citations which include any mentions of your name, address and phone number (NAPW) across third-party review platforms or business listings.
Social media
Local SEO can be an effective way to increase visibility within a target market, with social media as one of its key components. Beyond simply building brand recognition online, social media also plays a pivotal role in getting more links and improving SEO rankings.
While website content remains an essential factor in local search, Google also pays close attention to customer reviews and social signals from social media platforms, particularly when multiple locations exist. If possible, encourage customers to leave reviews both on your Google Business Profile as well as third-party review websites.
Social media posts could potentially be picked up by journalists or bloggers and boost your local search ranking, but social media activity doesn’t directly have an effect on it – rather, it increases the chance that it’ll get discussed across the web.