Local SEO is the process of optimizing your online presence to rank higher in search results based on your location. This includes optimizing your website content, Google My Business profile, citations and reviews. Unlike traditional SEO, which relies on keyword research and ranking signals, local SEO is more about how your business relates to specific search queries and locations.
The first step in implementing local SEO is making sure that your business’s physical address and phone number are correct on your Google My Business account. The next step is to include relevant keywords in your content. You can also add location-specific keywords to your title tags, headers and meta descriptions. This can help you appear in the Map Pack and organic search results.
Once your business has its address and phone number in place, you should focus on claiming and optimizing its listings in local directories. These include Yelp, Hotfrog and more. Search engines crawl these sites to add their listings and rank them based on relevance. This is why it’s important to get your business listed in as many quality, relevant local directories as possible.
Building a strong local online presence is a key part of any marketing strategy. Consumers are increasingly searching for businesses online before deciding to visit them in-person. In fact, 89 percent of people who conduct a local search on their mobile device visit a business within one day.
Local SEO is a great way to boost your visibility, and it’s especially helpful for small businesses with multiple locations. However, it’s also important to understand how local search works and what factors influence it. This will allow you to focus on the aspects of local SEO that will make the biggest impact for your business.
To rank in local organic searches (the “regular” blue link results that we’re all familiar with), you must optimize your website for those terms. This means making sure that your content is informative and engaging, and that it falls within the search terms that your target customers are using.
As with organic SEO, the most important factor in local search is your website’s content. The most relevant keywords must be present throughout your website, in titles and headers, in meta tags, in body copy, image alt text, and more. Additionally, it’s crucial to optimize your site for local searches by including keywords in urls and in the name of your business.
You can also use local keywords in paid ads, which can increase your likelihood of appearing in the Google Map Pack and in organic search results. This is an effective method for attracting new customers and growing your business. Lastly, don’t forget to regularly analyze and report on your local SEO performance. This will enable you to stay on top of your game and adapt as search engine algorithms change.