Local SEO is a digital marketing strategy that helps small businesses and service-area based companies outrank competitors within the same region on Google. It’s similar to traditional search engine optimization (SEO), but it has unique challenges and tactics that are specific to local searches.
A local search is different than a regular one because it’s typically conducted on a mobile device by people who are looking for a specific business or product in their own city or neighborhood. The results that show up on SERPs for a local query are also much different than standard results. For example, local SERPs might include maps, photos of nearby locations, and reviews from past customers.
To improve your local SEO, make sure that the information on your website matches up with the info that you provide in your business listings. This includes your NAP (name, address, phone number). Google checks for consistency in this information across all of your online properties. This means that you should update your business listing on GMB, as well as your information on other local directory websites, like Yelp and Facebook. You should also monitor the citations that are associated with your business and clean up any duplicate or outdated information that might exist elsewhere on the web.
Another important aspect of local SEO is to ensure that your content is relevant and helpful to the people who are searching for it. This means that you should write articles about local events, news, and other things that are happening in your area. It’s also a good idea to use keywords that are popular in your local area when creating this content.
You can also build a local following by networking with other local businesses and organizations. For example, you might consider joining a local chamber of commerce or getting involved in a local charity event. This will help you meet other business owners and potential customers, which can lead to new referrals for your company.
Lastly, it’s important to have a strong backlink profile that supports your local SEO efforts. This is because Google assesses the authority of a site and its pages by the number and quality of its links. To build a high-quality backlink portfolio, you should focus on building links from local sites. This could include city government and tourism boards, Chambers of Commerce, local news sites,.edu sites, and other relevant authority sites.
Local SEO is a powerful way to promote your business and compete with the larger, national or international competition. By improving your visibility in local search results, you can drive more traffic to your business website, as well as increase sales or subscriptions from those who find you through organic search.