If your business gets most of its customers locally, it’s key that you know about local Search Engine Optimization (SEO). As seasoned business owners know, doing business locally is no cakewalk. It can be as fiercely competitive as the most aggressive battles between big brands.
That’s why it’s crucial to make sure consumers see you first when they’re searching for your products or services online. And one of the best ways to do that is by using local SEO.
What Is Local SEO?
Local SEO helps people searching online from close by your business to find it.
Nearly half of all Google searches are local, and when it comes to local search results, local SEO helps you rank at the top. Here’s why and how to do it:
The Benefits of Using Local SEO
Here are the top benefits of using local SEO:
It Saves Money
Because local SEO is far more targeted than traditional advertising, there’s much less budget waste. With local SEO, consumers are looking for information about businesses like yours, so they’re already highly qualified leads.
It Helps Your Business Thrive
Making it easier for customers to find you and providing them with valuable information brings the far-reaching benefits your business needs to thrive. They include boosts in brand awareness, engagement, traffic, leads, sales and brand loyalty.
It’s Trackable and Measurable
Local SEO makes tracking the results of your content much easier — and more accurate — thanks to tools like Google and social media analytics.
How to Use Local SEO
Here is everything you need to know to get started using local SEO today!
Grab Your Google My Business Listing
First things first—claim your Google My Business listing. It’s a free business profile that lets consumers find you through Google Search and Maps.
Make Your Content Local
Valuable, high-quality local content can position your business as a local expert and leader. One option is to include stories featuring locals who frequent your business that your audience will feel a personal connection with. Or it might focus on topics trending in your area or tips relevant to your business’s customers.
Use the Right Keywords in Your Content
To find the right keywords to use in your local content, it just takes a little research and logic. Naturally, you should include keywords for your city or town to optimize for local SEO. For instance, if you operate a vintage vinyl store in Nashville, you’ll want to use keywords like “Nashville vintage vinyl.” However, you should also research popular keywords — and those your local competitors — are using with tools like Google Keyword Planner.
Make Sure Your Website Features Location Pages
Customers want to find important details like the addresses, contact info and hours of operation for your business quickly. A location page on your website lets you put all the details in one place for them.
Build Local Backlinks
When you get backlinks from other local businesses to your website, it not only grows site traffic, but also shows Google you’re a trusted business. Doing so can help you rank higher in search results.
Optimize Your Local SEO Content for Mobile
Consumers on the go want to be able to easily pull up all the information they need about your business on their smartphones. If your content is only designed for desktop viewing, you can miss out on an important market.
Partner With Local Influencers and Bloggers
The best local influencers and bloggers know the ins and outs of using local SEO to get great results. There are a number of ways to partner with them to get the word out about your business on social media.
For instance, you can offer them your product or service for review on a complimentary basis. You can also pay them to hold product giveaways or contests on their social media channels or attend events and post about them.
