Local SEO is a strategy used to help search engines serve the best possible results for searches done by people in a certain geographic area. In order to rank well in local SEO, businesses must focus on optimizing their websites and other online listings for people searching for the products or services they offer.
In addition to optimizing for local keywords, businesses should also be sure to have accurate information in their Google Business Profiles and elsewhere online. This includes filling out all relevant information for each location, including the address, hours of operation, and services/products offered. This will help searchers get a better idea of what the business is all about before they ever visit.
One of the most common mistakes made by people new to local SEO is stuffing too many keywords into website content and other online listings. This will actually hurt a business’s ranking, as search engines see it as spammy and are more likely to demote listings that use too many keywords. Instead, it is important to focus on targeting a limited number of local keywords and working them into the site’s content naturally. This can be done through page titles, meta descriptions, image alt tags, and more.
Just like regular SEO, a strong local SEO campaign requires a solid backlink profile. This can be achieved by running outreach campaigns to get links from other local websites, area blogs, and news outlets. This helps spread the word about a business’s products or services and gets more people to visit their website.
Another major part of a successful local SEO campaign is making sure that all online reviews are positive. This can be done by focusing on getting reviews from consumer review sites such as Yelp, Facebook, Angie’s List, Thumbtack, etc. This will help a business stand out from competitors and attract more customers.
Lastly, it is essential to use the correct local keyword research tools and keep up with changing search engine algorithms. This will help a business understand how search engines interpret the keywords they are targeting and what other factors are being taken into consideration when determining a business’s ranking. This can be done by using tools such as Google Suggest, which can be found by typing a keyword into the search bar and seeing what suggestions are provided. By following these tips, a business can be confident that their local SEO efforts are being done properly and will continue to grow and thrive as the industry evolves. By understanding what the competitors are doing and making the necessary changes, a business can ensure that they remain at the top of the search results for their local market. This will result in more traffic and more sales. It’s a win-win for everyone involved!