Local SEO helps your website appear higher in Google search results by targeting local search queries. The core tactics include optimizing your Google Business Profile, building citations, collecting customer reviews, and making your site mobile-friendly. Getting these basics right is what moves a business from page two to the local pack.
Why does your Google Business Profile matter most?
Submitting your GMB listing to Google is vital for ranking high. It helps Google find you and points your customers to your actual business. On-page signals still count, so add relevant keywords to the right pages of your website and to your Google My Business profile page.
How do citations and listings help?
Local citations include your business name, location, and contact information, and they don’t require backlinks. You can use Google Maps to easily maintain your Google listings and automate maintenance across multiple business locations without updating each one manually. Inaccurate information on popular directories makes it harder for consumers to find you and hurts credibility with customers, so contact a local search marketing company to get your basic listings updated.
How do reviews affect local rankings?
Reviews and ratings on Google influence a user’s decision to buy from your business. Research shows that consumers trust reviews that contain relevant information, and customer reviews can increase local search results. In some cases, a positive review can double your business’s Google review rankings, and the more positive reviews you collect, the more likely people are to choose your business.
Why does your site need to be mobile-friendly?
Most internet users search on their phones, and mobile-friendly websites typically rank higher on Google. Many consumers also use maps or local listings when looking for a local business, and local listings and maps often appear at the top of search results. Embedding a map of your business’s location on your website makes sense for the same reason: it helps Google recognize your business.
What spam tactics should you watch for?
Local SEO is an ongoing process that requires constant monitoring and updating. Spam tactics that can boost local search visibility include keyword stuffing in the business name, using inaccurate location information, and creating fake accounts. Fighting spam takes time, but it pays off in the long run. You also need to reach out to nearby businesses and create a local citation for your business.
What other signals build trust?
Adding reviews and menus to your website can increase the trustworthiness of your business. If local users don’t have a positive experience on your site, they will likely visit a competitor’s.