If you own a business with one or more physical locations, local SEO is an absolute must. It helps your business appear in the “local pack” on Google search results pages, which means you’re likely to get a lot of traffic from local customers.
There are many factors that go into determining how well you rank for local searches, including your website’s content and the quality of your online reviews. However, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of getting into the local pack.
Adding location-specific keywords to your website content is one of the easiest ways to optimize for local SEO. While it’s not necessary to have a page dedicated to each individual location, be sure to include city and state terms in your title tags, headers, alt text, and meta descriptions. You should also include these terms in your blog posts, product descriptions, and other content on your site.
Optimizing for local searches is all about incorporating keywords that are most likely to be searched by potential customers in your area. For example, if you’re an HVAC company in Brooklyn, keywords like “hvac services” and “air conditioning repair” aren’t going to be very relevant, since most people will probably search for something more specific, such as “best air conditioning company in Brooklyn.” Luckily, there are plenty of tools available to help you find highly-relevant local keywords. For instance, a tool like Semrush’s Organic Research can show you the keywords that your competitors are ranking for, as well as related keyword phrases. By using this information, you can craft your own list of local keywords to target.
Another way to discover local keywords is to simply look at the search queries that are being used on Google’s autocomplete feature. This is a great way to see what potential customers are actually searching for, and it can also help you come up with long-tail keywords that you might not have otherwise considered.
In addition to using Google Autocomplete, it’s also a good idea to monitor local competitor rankings on Google Maps. This will give you a clear understanding of the competition in your area and can also provide you with valuable insights into how to improve your own ranking position. Look for anything that could be a red flag, such as misspellings of your business name, address and phone number discrepancies, or duplicate listings.
Lastly, make sure that you’re getting enough citations from authority websites in your niche. This can be done by creating a Google Business Profile, submitting your website to online directories, and reaching out to local organizations like the Chamber of Commerce or a trade association. It’s also a good idea to create a dedicated blog for each location, which can be optimized with industry-specific content and onsite links.
Working with a local SEO expert is an excellent way to revitalize your business’s online presence and start ranking in the Google snack pack. A professional can conduct an audit of your current standing and then create an individualized strategy that will help you achieve your goals.