A key aspect of Local SEO is responding to online reviews. Positive reviews can help you increase your search engine ranking, while negative ones can hurt your business. Positive reviews prove that consumers trust you and this is a foundational factor for local search ranking. Responding to reviews is an excellent way to demonstrate that you value your customers and their opinions. Also, keep your brand message front and center whenever you interact with the online community. In addition, high-quality, relevant content is an essential part of Local SEO. You can create these in a variety of ways, including articles, reviews, videos, and more.
In addition to improving your online presence, local SEO can increase offline sales as well. Nearly half of all Google searches are local in nature, meaning that people are looking for local businesses. It can help your business get noticed by local consumers who are more likely to spend time and money with a company that is located in their community. If your business is located in a neighborhood, you should focus on promoting your services to this area. You can use local SEO to boost your rankings and promote your business locally.
Your local SEO strategy must include setting up a Google Business Profile (GBP) for your website. Without one, your business will not appear in the Local Pack, Local Finder, or Google Maps. You need to add a GBP to your website to get noticed by local customers. Make sure to create a high-quality GBP with pictures and a keyword-optimized business description. Learn how to set up a GBP in BrightLocal Academy.
Google searches for local businesses depend more on public perception than on keywords. For example, a plumber may not have the best plumbing website in the world, but they do need a good listing on Google My Business. Local SEO can also help local products and services stand out in the local market. It’s important to optimize your site for mobile searchers. This way, your site will be accessible to people who live in your area. When people are looking for a plumber in your area, they are more likely to use a local business.
You should also optimize your GMB page to get the most exposure from local search results. According to a recent study by Google and Ipsos, four out of five people will use a search engine to find local businesses in their area. Four of five of these people will then visit that location during the day. The study suggests that the importance of local SEO cannot be overemphasized. The key to success in Local SEO is consistent, ongoing optimization of your website.
In addition to improving your website’s ranking in national search results, local SEO also helps you get more business. By using keywords related to your area, you can reach a wide audience and drive traffic to your business. To succeed in local SEO, your website should include important information like business name, address, and phone number in the right places. Also, make sure your site loads quickly and that the schema is updated. You can also use a combination of both SEO strategies.