You could have a massive search engine optimization strategy, but if you’re not targeting your local audience, you’re missing out.
We have 5 SEO Tips that can help your local business.
Locking down a killer search engine optimization strategy can be the key to reaching customers. More than 90% of online experiences start with a search engine.
Ignoring local SEO can be a big mistake. It can cause a business to lose customers to competitors and miss out on an essential group.
If you want to have an advantage when prospects are looking for your products and services in the search engines, read on.
How Local SEO Tips Can Make a Difference
By leveraging Local SEO strategies, you can ensure your business ranks well in local searches. And this can have a big impact on your business’ sales.
Studies have indicated as much as 50% of customers who use a local search on a phone will visit a store on the same day. That is enough for any business to consider improving their local SEO.
That means a business with strong local SEO can connect with local customers who already have purchase intent.
How can a business take advantage of local SEO?
Here are some top local SEO tips to boost local searches.
- Use Google My Business / Google Business Profile
Local searches tend to be after a business location and address. Google My Business (now called Google Business Profile) is a prime spot to connect searchers with company information.
Getting listed on Google My Business / Google Business Profile usually means the business needs to get verified. The process uses traditional mail to verify business owners are who they say they are and their business location.
Keep in mind, Google wants to provide a good user experience for their customers too and this is the reason they use this verification process.
- Boost Online Reviews
Positive online reviews help customers get a feel for the business. These reviews can create a digital profile that connects people to specific tastes or priorities.
A good way to build an online reputation is to ask customers to rate or review your business when they have a good experience. This can have a compounding effect and help build a sense of trust from others’ experiences with your business.
- Get Local Coverage
A good way to jump to the top of local search results is to get local coverage. This means connecting with local business journalists. (Tip: A phenomenal way to get more exposure is to reach out to local FB Pages and Groups! There is a lot of attention on these social platforms, and we would submit that these sources are more accessible!)
Make sure they understand what the business is all about and the company mission. It’s also smart to outline the things that make the business unique or story-worthy.
- Add Backlinks from Other Businesses
Businesses can boost search local SEO by getting backlinks from other sites. And most companies work with other non-competitors on a regular basis.
It’s a great idea to connect with other local businesses and ask them to add backlinks to a site. In short, make friends! This could work nicely as a mutual offer where both businesses agree to work together and feature one another.
Savvy business owners will also boost exposure in local searches by getting listed on local business directories.
- Use a Solid Title and Description
It’s all about the headlines!
Searches give businesses a very small window to get a message across. You might agree, attention spans are super short.
That means smart business owners will pick a title and description that promotes the brand.
Make sure to take advantage of the ‘real estate’ you have to give the searches exactly what they need to know. It’s a better idea to skip generic page titles like ‘HOME’ or ‘ABOUT’ that don’t give prospective customers a glimpse at what your business is about!
In short, make your titles and descriptions count!
What’s next?
Take massive action and put these tips into motion. Just knowing about these tips isn’t enough.
If you need help with this stuff, please reach out to us, we would be elated to help!