Local SEO is a great way for small businesses to drive highly targeted traffic to their website and increase revenue, sales, and conversions. The best Local SEO strategies involve a mix of on-page and off-page techniques that focus on ranking for keywords that are relevant to the area you are targeting.
Local search optimization is especially important for service-based businesses, such as plumbers and painters. These businesses tend to operate within a specific service area and target customers who are searching for services like these in that region. However, even for product-based companies, such as software-as-a-service (SaaS) or ecommerce, there are still likely to be areas and local keywords that are relevant to your business.
In addition to optimizing your site for local SEO, you can also promote your business through online reviews and social media channels to improve your visibility in Local Search. Getting a high number of positive reviews from your customers is not only a great way to boost your rankings, but it’s also a powerful piece of social proof that will help you stand out from the competition.
Developing a solid Local SEO strategy takes time and effort. To help you get started, we have compiled a list of the top tips from local SEO experts and practitioners. We’ve included tips on keyword research, listing management, customer reviews, and much more. By following these simple local SEO to-dos, you can boost your local search rankings and start driving more traffic to your website.
1. Do Keyword Research for Your Location
The most important part of any Local SEO campaign is the keywords you target. The most effective keywords for local SEO are those that have a high search volume, are specific to your location, and are easy to rank for. To identify the best keywords for your business, use a keyword research tool such as Semrush or Ahrefs. These tools can show you the search volume for each keyword, how difficult it is to rank for, and other related keywords that may be worth targeting.
2. Create a Google Business Profile
Google’s local search results are one of the most valuable places for businesses to be found online. To improve your visibility, ensure that you have a well-optimized Google Business Profile that includes your NAP, photos, and other key information about your business.
3. Publish Relevant Content
When it comes to local SEO, the quality of your content is just as important as the quantity. Creating relevant, informative, and engaging content can boost your website’s authority and improve your overall rankings. To do this, you should create pages on your website that describe the different products and services you offer. Make sure that each page has the correct title, description, and URL.
4. Generate Customer Reviews
In order to improve your local SEO, it is essential to have a strong review presence on popular sites such as Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Facebook. Not only does this help you rank higher in the local pack, but it can also increase the amount of real estate your result takes up on the search engine results page. In fact, a study by ReviewTrackers shows that 55% of all searches for local businesses are influenced by online reviews.