About 97% of search engine users are looking for local businesses. Meanwhile, over 70% of consumers who search for local businesses visit a store within five miles of their location. Another 78% of searches result in in-store purchases.
Do you want to boost business this year? With local search engine optimization (SEO), you can reach customers online and attract them to your business. Foot traffic to your store and sales will increase, improving your ROI.
What exactly is local SEO? Which local SEO strategies can you use to put your business on the map?
Keep reading to find out!
What is Local SEO?
Search engine optimization helps businesses improve their rankings on search engines like Google. Your website will appear as consumers search for your products and services. As you reach the top of the page, more consumers will see your business.
Local SEO for small businesses helps you appear in front of local consumers. You can use a combination of local SEO strategies to:
- Increase your organic ranking for a mix of keywords
- Display relevant business information on your Google My Business listing
- Appear on the 3-pack map
Consumers can click on your Google My Business listing for your phone number or directions to your store. They can also read reviews from your previous customers. Happy reviews can boost your brand reputation and your ranking.
Search for your product or service on Google. Does your website display on the first page of a Google search?
Almost 80% of people never look beyond the first page. If you’re not reaching the first page, your competitors are snagging those customers instead.
About 93% of mobile users click on the first set of results after a “near me” search.
If you want to reach customers and attract them to your business, you need to boost your ranking.
The Benefits
Now that you have a brief understanding of local SEO, let’s talk about how it can help your business. Here are a few ways developing a small business SEO strategy can set you up for long-term success.
1. Generate Awareness and Recognition
Consumers won’t trust your business if they’ve never heard of it before. As you improve your local SEO ranking, you’ll appear in front of more customers. Each time they see your brand, they’ll become more aware of your business.
Repeat exposure can help you generate brand awareness and recognition.
In time, consumers will remember your brand the next time they need your product or service. They could go straight to your website instead of exploring your competitors.
2. Reach Locals
Remember, consumers are already looking for local businesses. With an SEO strategy, you can make sure you appear in front of those customers. When they need your product or service, they’ll immediately find your brand.
Consumers can then use your Google My Business listing to contact you with ease. They can find your hours, directions, or phone number straight from Google. Then, they can contact you to learn more about your product or service.
As they continue learning about your business, they might decide to visit you in person.
Remember, over 70% of customers who complete a local search visit a nearby store. As consumers visit your business, you can turn those visitors into paying customers. Once they reach your store, you can boost business and your ROI.
3. Considerable Credibility
Consumers are more likely to trust companies that appear on the first page of a Google search. Using small business SEO strategies can boost your ranking. You’ll appear before competitors, making you look like the more credible business.
Consumers want to choose businesses that are helpful and informative. You can create informative blog posts to show customers your experience and expertise.
They’ll realize they can trust you to find a solution to their problems.
As you boost your credibility, you can build brand trust as well. In time, brand trust can become brand loyalty. You can retain more customers, improving your ROI.
4. Boost Website Traffic
As you appear for more searches, you’ll attract more people to your website. As you gain more site traffic, your ranking will approve. Then, you’ll reach even more customers!
You can use local SEO strategies to ensure you appear for a mix of different searches.
5. Improve Your ROI
SEO is a cost-effective marketing strategy. You won’t have to waste valuable time and money with outbound strategies like cold calling. Instead, you can create SEO-optimized blog posts, boost your ranking, and generate more sales.
As your ranking improves, you’ll generate more business, improving your ROI.
Local SEO Strategies
With a local SEO strategy, you can improve your ranking and attract more customers. Here are a few local SEO strategies you can use to get started.
1. Update Your GMB Listing
First, claim your Google My Business listing. Then, update it with your:
- Company name
- Company description
- Street address
- Photos
- Reviews
- Website
- Office hours
Make sure the information remains accurate.
Is your company mentioned on any other online directories? Make sure the information matches your website. Keep your contact information up-to-date any time the details change.
Otherwise, you might risk confusing customers who are looking for your store.
2. Ask for Reviews
Do you have an audience of happy, loyal customers? Ask your customers to post their reviews on your Google My Business listing.
As people leave their reviews, make sure to comment back! Let them know you appreciate their kind words.
Reviews act as social proof. More people will trust your business, helping you attract more customers.
3. Stay Mobile-Friendly
Consumers search for local businesses while they’re out and about. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly. You can use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check.
If your website isn’t optimized, your ranking could drop. Google uses mobile-first indexing to determine rankings.
4. Use Structured Data
Structured data makes it easier for Google to read and index your website content. You can structure your products, blog posts, and other pages on your site.
5. Create Local Content
Use keyword research to determine what keywords local customers use to find your business. Then, start creating content with location-based keywords. You can create blog posts, infographics, videos, and other pieces of content to boost your ranking.
Keep creating content. Google looks for informative, unique, fresh pieces when determining rankings.
Local SEO: Your Guide to Getting on the Map
Don’t let your ranking drop! Instead, use local SEO strategies to boost your business. In time, your company could appear in the 3-pack, helping you reach more customers.
As your ranking improves, you can boost your business and ROI.
Eager to get started? We’re here to help.
Contact our team today to discuss your SEO strategy!
