Local SEO refers to search engine optimization techniques designed to get your business listed in Google’s “near me” results. Making yourself visible online to local people can make all the difference for its success – therefore, doing it right is vitally important.
Start off your local SEO efforts right by conducting some keyword research using tools such as Semrush’s Organic Research to discover keywords your competitors are targeting.
Location-based searches are becoming more common
Location-based searches have become more prevalent as more consumers use mobile devices to locate local businesses. A strong presence on Google My Business with positive reviews can help your company rank higher on search engine results pages.
However, businesses should also take user needs into consideration before implementing a location-based strategy. This involves making it easy for customers to locate store hours and contact details as well as improving website navigation.
Search engines specialized in location-based searching require users to enter their desired addresses into their profiles before retrieving results based on those addresses. Some engines support street-level search while most focus on city or suburb-level searching.
Geosearch engines must associate all corresponding locations to web resources to satisfy location-based queries. Geographic search engines are essential in providing responses for such searches, which require them to link all available resources with relevant location coordinates.
People trust local businesses more
Local SEO can be an invaluable way to enhance your brand online and increase business. The key is sending the right signals to Google that your business provides trustworthy and top-tier service that people want.
One way to build trust is through collecting reviews from satisfied customers. Studies have proven that people trust businesses with top-rated reviews more than those without ratings.
One way to build your reputation is by garnering links from high-authority websites. This could involve submitting information to reliable directories, soliciting customer reviews from existing clients or writing guest posts for high-profile blogs.
Consistency across your NAP can also help boost your search results for local searches, making your business easily discoverable to customers by searching your name or number – leading them directly to you without spending extra on marketing! This could result in an organic increase in sales without incurring extra costs from advertising campaigns.
People are more likely to click on a map result
Google’s local search results page (SERP) is notable for incorporating map results as an essential element. These maps offer users a way to see all of the top businesses as well as their locations on a map result page.
People tend to click more frequently on map search results than organic searches because they’re likely in the decision making stage of their purchasing cycle and searching for local service providers who they can quickly contact.
Local SEO utilizes various strategies and processes based on factors like relevance, distance and prominence to help your business rank better online.
One of the most critical elements for SEOs to consider in rankings are links, which act like votes from other websites for your website. According to BrightLocal’s 2021 study, 31% of SEOs consider links as the single most critical ranking factor for regular organic search, and 16% for map pack rankings.
People are more likely to buy from a local business
By choosing to patronize local businesses, consumers are helping the community flourish and contribute directly to local job creation. Small businesses tend to hire people in the area they’re located and eventually generate even more local jobs as they expand.
Quality is also improved at local establishments compared to chain stores; nearly half of consumers reported that food and beverages taste better at local establishments.
Shop local is another effective way of supporting the environment and local economies alike. By shopping local you help reduce pollution while simultaneously supporting them both economically.
Erin Hartzler, president and CEO of the National Federation of Independent Business. believes thriving communities of independent stores make neighborhoods more vibrant.
Consumers increasingly opt to shop locally due to a range of reasons, including cost and individual purchase needs. They rely heavily on reviews for making more informed and secure purchasing decisions.