Almost 70% of consumers use search engines to look for local businesses. Google has a local focus, with over half of its searches being for local businesses. Local SEO helps your business connect with local customers, giving you more visibility and site traffic. Besides, a higher local search ranking means more sales leads. Businesses with physical locations should prioritize local SEO. This article will highlight some important tips. It also includes monitoring your local search ranking. We’ll also share some of our own experiences.
When it comes to local SEO, it’s important to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all strategy. You’ll want to tailor your approach to the specific city you’re targeting. Google’s map pack (the top three listings in any geographic area) accounts for nearly 40% of all clicks. Organic listings account for 30% of clicks, and Google ads at the top of the page account for just 10%.
In addition to a local playbook, you’ll also want to make sure you’re using proven techniques. The local SEO playbook gives your online footprint added authority and weight. Using place names in content can help you get found in local search results. Instead of writing about yourself and your business, focus on giving readers useful information that can benefit them. If you’re unsure how to write an article about your business, check out these five tips.
Another important aspect of local SEO is creating localized content. Localized content can be published on your blog, social media, and other channels. Using local keywords and content helps your business appear higher in Google’s Map Pack. Increasing your business’s local ranking will lead to more customers finding your business. You may even want to include your business’s address, phone number, and website address as well as other information that’s specific to the area.
If you have NAP inconsistencies, you may be hurting your local search rankings. As many as 97% of people find local businesses online, it is important that they have a consistent NAP across platforms to make sure they can reach your business. Don’t let this happen to you! So, take the time to audit all of your listings and make sure your NAP information is consistent. You’ll be glad you did.
The next tip to improve your local search ranking is to create a positive reputation. Reviews are an excellent way to gain trust and demonstrate that you value your customers. Engaging with customers and their reviews can boost your local three-pack and organic search rankings. Respond to reviews and feedback posted on Yelp! or Google Reviews. This will make it appear more trustworthy to Google’s algorithms and improve your local search rankings. Once a reviewer leaves a positive review, your business will benefit.
Local search engine optimization signals to search engines to direct users to businesses in a local area. It includes targeted keywords, relevant content, and local-based information. This helps your business attract local customers looking for the products or services you offer. Local SEO has many moving parts. You need to understand all of them to achieve optimal results. When you master them, your site will rank on top of the SERPs. And if you can master all of them, local SEO can give your business more visibility and a competitive advantage.