According to a consumer review survey published on Bright Local, 99 percent of consumers have looked up local businesses online in the last year. Interestingly, even if users don’t use the qualifier “near me” in their searches, Google shows geo-specific results for most. The algorithm is designed to show the user results relevant to their area and those high in rank.
Local SEO can profoundly impact your revenue and growth if you’re new to digital marketing or plan to launch your brick-and-mortar business into the online space. Whether service or product-based, implementing local search engine optimization (SEO) strategies could help your business nudge its way up to the top of search results for relevant keywords.
This article covers everything you need to know, from understanding what local SEO is and why it is important for businesses.
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What is local SEO?
Local SEO is the process whereby businesses can improve their search engine ranking and visibility. Specifically, brick-and-mortar businesses find it helpful to turn their prospects into customers. An SEO assessment and regional advertising strategy can help any company expand its online visibility.
Search engines use local content, links, and social media profiles to give the best local results to the user for a geo-specific search. So not only can you promote your products and services online, but your business can leverage e-commerce for more sales. A solid SEO strategy and a professionally designed website are invaluable assets for any company.
You may want to work with a consultant or agency to take your business to the next level in digital marketing. For example, if you are running a business in Utah, look for the best Utah SEO company online to help you stand out in local searches, social media, maps, and directories.
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Why is local SEO important?
According to a study, more than 78% of mobile phone searches with a local intent resulted in an offline purchase. It means more and more customers are using online information like social media pages and online reviews to officiate in-person purchases. So if you own a brick-and-mortar business, there is a high chance for you to make revenue from local SEO.
If you’re looking for specifics, local SEO helps:
a. Reach your target audience
Consumers in different locations have different demographics. If your business operates in multiple locations, it may become difficult to structure your digital marketing strategy. So you must customize content and your online presence to reach the audience in every place and make optimum sales. With local SEO, it becomes easier to communicate with your geo-specific audience.
b. Improve search engine rankings
Google’s algorithm considers location-specific data when presenting results for a keyword. For instance, if you search for a pet hotel from a location in Utah, you’d get results for pet hotels in Utah and not California or Texas. Google uses various ranking signals to provide you with the best results. These range from the user’s location, relevant keywords in searches, and NAP citations to keywords in online reviews, check-ins for that location, and social media shares. Outperforming your competitor for these ranking signals increases your chance of appearing on top of the search results for the targeted keyword.
c. Expand your reach
Many users search for businesses by mentioning the location (city, state, or region) in the search bar. For instance, a potential customer might look for “pizza places in Salt Lake City” or “pet hotels in Denver.” If you tailor your business’s online presence to suit the location you’re targeting; there is a high chance for potential customers to come across your business. Start by doing a quick search for keywords relevant to your business. Adopting local SEO strategies is the best way for small businesses to expand their reach and increase revenue.
Local SEO tips for businesses
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Optimize for Google My Business
To show up on Google Maps when a potential customer searches for your business or keyword, you must set up a profile on Google My Business. It is a business directory that establishes your presence on Google for free. The process is easy. All you need is a business account that helps manage multiple locations of your business. When setting up a Google Business Account, add links to your store or website for that specific location so the customer is directed to the one they are interested in.
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Claim other business directories
Like Google My Business, set up your business profile on other directories like Bing or Yelp. Add necessary information like address, hours of operation, relevant photos, and contact information in the directory. You can also link each directory listing to the location-specific page on your website. Claiming more business directories increases your chance of outperforming competitors in search results. It also helps prospective customers learn more about your business and what it offers.
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Perform competitor research
Doing competitor research is vital for any marketing strategy and not just digital or local SEO. You may have to assess and understand the market and competition if you have a business in multiple locations. Knowing what makes your business unique or how you can differentiate your product or service from a competitor in the same area helps attract more customers.
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Use a single domain online
When creating your business profile in multiple directories, use a single domain, even if you operate at various locations. Creating a separate website for each location is tempting, but that only makes it difficult for your customers to recognize your business. Besides, it’s time-consuming to create different content for each domain. So instead, stick with one domain and create multiple web pages for every location.
Conclusion
If you own a business, getting monthly visits to your website and leads from users outside your geographical range won’t substantially help your business. So if you’re not reaching out to your local audiences, your business might be underperforming in sales and revenue generation. With local SEO strategies, you can reach out to potential customers in your service area and secure higher offline or online sales. Consider hiring a local SEO company such as GetCleaningClicks that manages everything from site auditing to content creation and helps you build a successful online presence.
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