Local SEO marketing helps your business show up in search results when nearby customers look for products and services in your area. One of the top three reasons people type a query into Google is to find a local business, and many start without a specific company in mind. Optimizing for local search puts your business in front of those customers at the exact moment they are looking to buy.
The goal of local SEO marketing is to boost your business’s visibility in search engines and improve your overall ranking. Below is a breakdown of the tactics that move the needle.
Why does your Google My Business listing matter most?
Your business’s Google My Business listing is the most critical listing for your website. Google pulls data from the entire web, including local listings. If your listing does not comply with Google’s guidelines, your website can fall victim to ranking failures or listings being taken down. A positive review can help offset any negative reviews and ensure that your business has a presence in the community. If a local customer has a positive review about your business on Google, it will be displayed prominently in the local search results.
How do reviews and citations affect local rankings?
Word of mouth is important in a local business, and you can leverage the power of trusted customers to review and promote your products online before your competitors. Review websites are also essential for local SEO. Consumers tend to trust online reviews as they contain relevant information. Moreover, 87% of consumers read reviews online when they’re looking for a local business. 73% of them read reviews in the last month and would not use a business with less than four stars. Reviews are often displayed on top of search results and influence the rankings of local businesses in organic search.
You should build citations to your business and make sure that your NAP is accurate. By utilizing this strategy, you can improve your local search rankings dramatically.
What kind of content ranks for local searches?
Writing relevant articles about local topics is another way to increase your rankings in local search. Local-specific content is also a great way to attract more local customers. Articles about marketing strategies or tips can target local keywords and get better local SEO results. In-depth analysis of your site’s SEO can help you choose the most appropriate content to target local search queries. This strategy can also be used on social media sites.
If you’re trying to rank for a phrase like “Painting services,” you’re probably going to be out of luck. Using the local keyword phrase “painting contractors in Orlando” is less competitive and more effective. Make sure that your website includes your location and your specific products and services as well. You can even include news stories and testimonials from your customers in your content to attract local traffic. Another tactic is embedding Google Maps on your website, though use caution, as Google has recently cracked down on websites that overuse Google Maps.
Where else should your business be listed?
In addition to submitting your website to local business directories, you can also get yourself listed on other domain-specific directories. Both of these directories are valuable for local businesses, and domain-specific directories can boost your local SEO marketing efforts.
Why does mobile matter for local search?
Mobile devices are the most common way people conduct searches today. 59% of Internet users access the web on their mobile devices. In 2017, only 28% of search queries resulted in a purchase, and for service businesses, most people only contact service providers within their local areas. Local search covers both desktop and mobile access, so your business doesn’t have to waste valuable exposure. It is efficient and effective, and the benefits are clear: local SEO marketing is a cost-effective way to attract new customers.
How do you measure results?
Developing a local SEO strategy can help your business get noticed in the local search results. The results can be a sign of better conversion rates, increased sales, and increased revenue. Be sure to monitor your results and continue to improve your local SEO strategy. Consider using a service that helps local businesses with their online presence.
FAQ
What is local SEO marketing?
Local SEO marketing is the practice of optimizing your online presence so your business appears in search results when nearby customers look for products and services in your area. The goal is to boost visibility in search engines and improve your overall ranking for location-based queries.
Why is Google My Business so important for local SEO?
Your Google My Business listing is the most critical listing for your website because Google pulls local data from across the web into that listing. Listings that do not comply with Google’s guidelines can lead to ranking failures or having the listing taken down, while positive reviews help your business stand out in the local results.
How do online reviews affect local search rankings?
Reviews matter because 87% of consumers read online reviews when looking for a local business, 73% read reviews in the last month, and most will not use a business with fewer than four stars. Reviews often appear at the top of search results and influence where local businesses rank in organic search.
