Local SEO is a great way for small businesses to attract more customers. It involves optimizing your website and listing on local review sites to improve your search engine ranking. However, it can be time-consuming and difficult to keep up with.
That’s why it’s important to know what techniques to focus on to achieve the best results. In this article, we’ll share 11 simple local SEO tips that will help you get the most out of your campaign.
1. Use the Keyword Research Tool to Find the Right Local Keywords
One of the most important things you can do to optimize your local SEO is to use the keyword research tool from Moz. It will give you a list of keywords that are relevant to your niche and location. You can then use this list to optimize your website and listing.
2. Make Your Business Location Information Consistently Available on Major Citation Sites
According to a recent study by BrightLocal, local pack ranking is heavily influenced by the consistency of business contact information across major citation sites. That means that it’s vital to ensure that your name, address and phone number (NAP) are consistent across all major listing directories, such as Google My Business, Bing Maps, Yelp and Facebook.
3. Use Local Citations to Improve Your Google My Business Listings
NAP consistency is important for achieving high local rankings, so you should always include your name, address and phone number on every page of your website and online listing. It’s also helpful to include this information in your social media posts.
4. Create Local Reviews and Ratings for Your Business
Another local SEO tactic is to ask your customers to leave a review on popular local review sites, such as Google Business Profile, TripAdvisor, and Yelp. However, it’s important to note that you should never offer incentives in exchange for a review, as this can backfire and hurt your credibility.
5. Use Your Website’s Map Functionality
Including a map on your website is an easy and effective way to boost your local SEO. Search engines prioritize websites that are mobile-friendly and have a visible map. Plus, 86 percent of people look up the location of a business on Google Maps.
6. Don’t Over-Stuff Keywords
Many professionals who launch local SEO campaigns for the first time make the mistake of stuffing too many keywords into their pages, blog posts and online listings. This can backfire and cause your content to be demoted in the search results. Instead, use the local keywords that you’ve researched to naturally integrate them into your content and listings.
7. Promote Your Business on Local Events and Organizations
Promoting your business on local events and organizations can be a cost-effective way to reach your target audience. By participating in community events, your brand can establish itself as a trusted and valuable resource in the eyes of potential customers. It can also be a great opportunity to network with other local businesses and build connections that will support your growth in the future.