Customers find it easier to trust businesses that rank highly in Google search results; however, increasing these ranks can be challenging for small business owners.
Local SEO Marketing refers to the practice of optimizing websites and online listings so as to increase their visibility on search engines like Google. This involves keyword research and optimization as well as garnering quality links from local sites and directories.
Creating Local Content
Content that conveys your relevance to local audiences is an essential element of local SEO strategies for local businesses, whether that means blogging, guest posting on local sites, or posting social media updates.
Engaging local content shows your community and customers that you care, while showing search engines you understand what’s happening nearby, which is an integral factor for many local SERPs.
Be sure to incorporate city-specific keywords when creating local content for websites. Including such words will help your content rank for local searches and bring in targeted traffic for further exposure of your brand.
Optimizing Your Website
One of the best ways to boost local SEO is through website optimization, or optimizing. This involves making sure keywords are present throughout all content on your website and that all NAP details (name, address and phone number) remain consistent across it.
Your website should also be user-friendly on mobile devices, and look attractive. Work on link building and getting listed in local business directories to improve local search rankings. Obtaining backlinks from authoritative websites in your area can help increase local SEO.
Encourage customers to leave reviews online about your business. This strategy is particularly powerful considering 92 percent of consumers use reviews as part of their purchasing decision making process, plus having an established positive online reputation can save on costly advertising fees.
Creating a Google My Business Listing
Optimizing a Google Business Profile is one of the keystones of local SEO success, empowering small businesses against larger competitors by giving them an edge in relevance, proximity and prominence with search engines. A profile boasting regular posts with 5-star reviews tells search engines that this business should be prioritized.
If your business hasn’t claimed its GMB listing yet, do so immediately! Search Google Maps for its name and look for a “Claim this Business” button or link. Once verified as owner, you can manage and edit the listing with more pertinent details, like hours of operation or events taking place; as well as modify your service area to better target potential customers.
Creating a Google My Business Profile
Google’s search algorithm gives great weight to factors that impact local SEO, so the first step towards improving how your local customers find you is claiming and verifying your business listing. With full control over what information appears on your profile, claim and verify it now for maximum impact!
Next, optimize your GBP by prioritizing signals that matter the most – such as relevancy, prominence and proximity.
Relevancy refers to how well your products and services match up with those being searched for, while prominence measures your business’s standing in its community as well as social media presence. Finally, proximity looks at whether your location is close enough for potential customers.
Position Tracking tool helps you keep a close eye on local keyword rankings and positioning by tracking them against ZIP codes, helping maximize local SEO efforts while staying ahead of competitors.
Monitoring Your Performance
Monitor the performance of your local SEO efforts regularly, including monitoring your website’s online presence, updating directory listings and citations, responding promptly to customer feedback, publishing relevant and keyword-rich content on your site to boost Google ranking, and increase traffic for your business.
Additionally, SEMrush can help you conduct a local SEO audit and provide an in-depth report of all of the on-page factors which need to be optimized. Furthermore, link building campaigns aimed at increasing rankings may increase their odds of inclusion into Google’s 3-Pack.