Local SEO is important to smaller businesses that operate regionally, rather than nationally. While national SEO is more focused on ranking in searches all across the country, local SEO puts a priority on showing up in SERPs for a certain location. This is a strategy that relies on business owners marketing their services, products, and brands to local customers and leads.
When a business owner optimizes their local SEO, it means they will receive more traffic to their site, more leads, and more conversions. This is because the strategy is based on what the local base of customers is searching for. It is a good idea to think of this as a type of focused strategy and a way to compete more effectively against bigger, national brands that have unlimited marketing budgets. When a business owner stays focused on certain, local SEO to-dos, they are able to neutralize the advantage offered by bigger brands that may optimize for keywords that are broader and that rely more on brand recognition, rather than their value propositions for bringing in new traffic.
Some helpful tips to improve local SEO can be found here.
Create an Account on Google My Business
When a business owner optimizes their Google listing, which is their business profile, they will help their site rank higher on Google Maps. Also, the site will gain additional visibility through Google Search results. To get access to the business profile to make these needed optimizations, though, it is necessary to have a Google My Business page for the business.
After all the requested information is added, the information is added to the Google Profile. This is what will show up in the local results, along with the Google Search Knowledge Panel, and even Google Maps.
Get Reviews Posted from Satisfied Customers
Convincing customers to write positive reviews for a business will not just optimize the Google My Business page, but it will also help to encourage many more local customers to make a purchase from the business. There are a few strategies that can be used to get more reviews. One is to ask for the review when a customer checks out. Another is to send an email after purchase or even a text that requests customers to write a review. It can also be beneficial to respond to existing reviews and thank the reviewer or address a complaint that has been made.
Don’t Wait to Address Local SEO
It is important that a business owner does not ignore local SEO. If they do not pay attention to SEO now, they may lose out to their competition. By using the tips and information here, it is possible to get the desired results for their local efforts and feel confident they will appear higher in search rankings. Being informed and knowing what to do are the best ways to ensure that a business’s local SEO efforts are successful, regardless of what they are. Keep this in mind to help ensure the desired results are achieved.
