Search Engine Optimization can be an extremely effective way to expand your online presence and drive increased traffic, conversions, and brand recognition.
No matter whether users are searching for restaurants, cinemas, hotels, or any other physical business with a physical location – local SEO will ensure your small fish is placed more effectively into a more relevant sized pool.
Increased traffic
Local SEO can increase website traffic, which in turn generates leads, subscriptions, sign-ups and sales. Furthermore, local SEO makes your website more user-friendly and accessible – especially beneficial for small businesses competing against larger national brands.
When people search local search results, they’re usually in search of something specific within their area – as opposed to searching generally. A general search may include terms like “best pizza” or “HVAC services”.
Of course, local search traffic often has purchase intent. Not only can this type of search drive new customers but converting this type of traffic is easier than general web traffic – according to Ahrefs 76% of local searches with purchase intent result in store visits within 24 hours! Therefore it’s crucial that Google My Business listings are optimized – studies have found that optimising GMB for local search increases your odds of being featured in the 3-pack results by up to 30 percent!
Increased conversions
Local SEO strategies can help your business attract more customers by increasing its visibility in search engines. In turn, this can increase traffic and conversions. Furthermore, local SEO helps your company determine if there is demand for its products or services within its target area.
Content creation is key to local SEO. Your articles should provide helpful information to your audience while being optimized for Google’s location-based algorithm, using URL structures with your city name in them and not including NAP information in images.
Optimize and monitor the rank of your GMB page over time by using free rank trackers – these tools also let you keep an eye on competitors in your market! Another way to enhance your rank is through continuously collecting reviews for your business; reviews have long been proven as local SEO ranking factors while simultaneously increasing credibility among potential customers.
Increased revenue
Search Engine Optimization is an integral component of a successful marketing strategy for local businesses. When executed effectively, SEO can increase brand recognition and bring in additional customers – whether through website traffic, phone calls or visits to physical locations.
No matter if it be optimizing a GMB profile, updating website content or building location-specific pages, the return on investment from local SEO is well worth your while – particularly for businesses that rely heavily on local traffic as their revenue stream.
Though many factors influence local search results, some of the most critical include optimizing and claiming your Google My Business profile, regular content updates and click-to-call buttons, as well as authentic customer reviews from real customers – although keeping an eye on results and making adjustments as necessary are equally as crucial.
Increased brand awareness
Local SEO can increase brand recognition by increasing traffic, improving search engine rankings and driving more sales. Over time, these improvements could even generate even more interest in your business, leading to additional visits and sales – creating a positive feedback loop that could propel its expansion.
Assuming you’re a wedding photographer in Seattle and someone searches for “wedding photographers Seattle”, your goal should be to rank highly on Google. Additionally, when someone searches “pizza delivery Seattle”, one of your top results would ideally appear.
Moz recommends taking several steps to enhance local search rankings, including claiming and optimizing your Google My Business (GMB) profile, creating location pages on your website and getting backlinks from authoritative local websites. Social listening can also provide valuable insight into which local keywords are trending over time; using this knowledge effectively for local SEO.