Do you ever find yourself wondering how can I rank higher in local searches? Local SEO is the answer to your question. It is a type of search engine optimization that can help you connect with regional audiences and make your business popular locally. It is particularly useful for businesses that operate in a specific geographic location.
To improve local rankings, businesses should know how local SEO works and how it is affected by various factors like voice search and long-tail keywords. In this guide, you will learn what local SEO is in detail and find out about its various aspects used to improve rankings for businesses.
What is Local SEO?
In simple words, it is the process of creating and updating various types of content to attract local audiences. Local SEO involves building local links and targeting location-specific keywords. With location-based search optimization, businesses can easily attract local audiences.
Like other types of SEO, the primary purpose of local SEO is to help businesses rank higher on SERPs. However, to fully benefit from local SEO, it must be handled by experts. While businesses can try to optimize their content for local audiences themselves, more often than not, they require the services of an agency specializing in SEO.
Why is Local SEO Important for Businesses?
The benefits of local SEO explain why it is crucial for businesses. Here’s how it can change the trajectory for a business operating in a specific region:
- Increases foot traffic: According to a report from Google, 76% of people who conduct a local search on their phones visit a business within 24 hours. The statistic shows the importance of having your business appear in search results and that’s something you can achieve with local SEO.
- Drive up revenue: Out of the local searches conducted on phones that lead to a store visit, 28% result in a purchase. With improved local SEO, businesses can steadily increase their revenue.
- Improved visibility: The online visibility of a business also increases with local SEO when the company’s name starts appearing on SERPs regularly.
How to Optimize for Local SEO?
The following local SEO techniques need to be implemented to help your business find its regional audiences:
Google My Business Optimization
Google My Business (GMB), now referred to as Google Business Profile, is a free tool offered by Google that allows businesses to optimize their online persona. The purpose of the profile is to offer essential information to potential customers. To optimize GMB for local SEO, ensure NAP (name, address, and phone number) consistency, verify your listing, add high-definition photos of your business, and complete your profile.
Local Keywords and On-Page SEO
Keywords continue to be an integral part of any type of SEO. When it comes to local SEO, local keywords are targeted as people tend to search for businesses with the suffix near me. Businesses can optimize meta tags, descriptions, and content with local keywords to attract the right audience.
Building Local Citations and Listings
A local citation is crucial for businesses to find the right audiences. As part of local SEO, companies can build local citations and have their NAP mentioned on Yellow Pages and Yelp to increase their visibility. The process also involves finding the right business directories to get the desired results from local listings.
Local Reviews
Nowadays, people rarely go to a store or shop from a website before checking out online reviews about it. Positive reviews are crucial for businesses hoping to attract potential customers. Companies can get more local reviews by awarding customers for leaving feedback. They can also send out emails or messages to remind customers to leave Google reviews.
Mobile & Voice Search Optimization
The popularity of mobile and voice searches has given businesses the opportunity to target new keywords. Companies can optimize their content to add ‘near me’ to it so they can appear regularly in local searches. It is also important to have a mobile-friendly website so potential customers can easily navigate it from their smartphones while on the go.
The Most Common Local SEO Mistakes to Avoid
Here’s a list of the most common local SEO mistakes that every business should avoid:
- Inconsistent NAP: A report from BrightLocal revealed that 80% of consumers lose trust in a local company if they see incorrect business information online. It proves how costly inconsistent NAP can be for local businesses.
- Poor mobile optimization: Smartphones are the primary devices for most people nowadays, and they are also used for making online searches and purchases. Poor mobile optimization of a business’s website can turn a huge chunk of potential customers away.
- Ignoring local keywords: While many companies understand the importance of keywords, they fail to implement local keywords to attract regional audiences. Without integrating local keywords, a business cannot expect potential customers in its area of service to find it through SERPs.
Bottom Line
Local SEO is crucial for every business operating a physical store or offering its services in a specific region. With local citations and listing, local keywords, and Google Business Profile optimization, businesses can rank highly on SERPs and connect with potential customers in their area of operation more easily. However, the benefits of local SEO will only be seen if it is handled the right way. Hiring local SEO experts is the best way to increase the local visibility of your business.
Having problems implementing local SEO techniques? Get in touch with Aerox Digital for expert services today!
FAQs
Is Local SEO only for small businesses?
No, Local SEO isn’t only for small businesses. It can benefit every business that wants to connect with local audiences. It can also be helpful for making different branches of a company to find potential customers in their region.
How do I rank in the “Near Me” searches?
You can rank in the “Near Me” searches by verifying your business locations online, optimizing your Google Business Profile, and creating localized content. In a nutshell, implementing Local SEO techniques is the best way to rank in the “Near Me” searches.
