People are constantly searching online for businesses near them. In fact, Google found that 76% of users who have searched for a business online will visit said business on the same day. In other words, if you haven’t optimized your local SEO, you are missing out on potential customers. Let’s take a look at local SEO, as well as some actionable tips on how to boost your business visibility with local SEO today.
Key Takeaways
- Local SEO bridges businesses to potential customers precisely when needs arise, ensuring visibility across various platforms.
- Local SEO is indispensable for brand visibility, credibility, and capturing potential customers actively searching for your offerings.
- Five practical steps include optimizing Google Business Profile, local keyword research, creating targeted content, mobile optimization, and managing online reviews.
Why Local SEO is Essential to Your Business
First, you need to know what local SEO is and what it does. Local SEO is a component of search engine optimization that looks at your business and where it is located in the world. By enhancing your local SEO practices, you essentially make your online and physical presence more visible to those searching for what you provide.
For this reason, local SEO is essential to your business. Whenever your business pops up in the search results, knowledge of your brand increases. Your credibility also rises. Without this benefit, you will miss out on people who need what you offer.
Additionally, focusing on local SEO is cost-effective. Unlike advertising with print or billboards or even on social media, local SEO costs next to nothing and has an incredible return-of-investment (ROI).
How Local SEO Connects You With Potential Customers
Local SEO connects you with customers by essentially promoting you whenever your business matches for something someone needs. For example, if a customer needs emergency plumbing services and a local plumber with 24/7 service who is down the road pops up, that customer will most likely call them immediately.
This is true for any kind of business with a presence online. It doesn’t matter which app or browser someone searches for your business, local SEO gets you seen.
5 Local SEO Solutions You Can Implement Today
Tacking local SEO on your own may seem like a daunting task, but there are five easy things you can do right now to improve your standing. Follow the tips below or consider looking for a digital marketing expert like those at Digital Marketing Group, LLC to help you out.
1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile
The businesses on Google Maps do not find their way there automatically. You need to update your Google Business Profile (GBP) to increase your online visibility. When you make a profile with GBP, you gain more attention from Google, Google Maps, and several other sites.
Once you have your GBP set up, don’t forget to check out other online directories, such as Tripadvisor and Yelp.
2. Local Keyword Research
How do you know people are going to find you? By leveraging keywords. Let’s say, for instance, that you are a South Jersey accountant. You will easily rank for “South Jersey accountant” on Google because that’s on your site already. However, there are more things you could rank for that will get you noticed.
In order to find out which terms you can utilize, you must do keyword research. There are many tools available, such as Ahref’s Keyword Generator, to provide suggestions. By conducting regular keyword research, you will spot trends and know how to stay relevant.
3. Create Localized Content
Once you have keywords, you need to create content. This content, be it blogs, product descriptions, tutorials, or videos, must resonate with your target audience. To do this, you will need to understand the intent of your customers. Some people want information while others look to make a specific transaction.
Figuring out your target audience can be difficult when you are a new business or are rebranding. To help smooth out the process and ensure your content is reaching the right people, it is recommended that you utilize professional digital marketing services.
4. Optimize For Mobile
More people than ever before are using their phones to get information. In short, you need a mobile version of your site. Outdated sites with zero mobile compatibility could be dragging you down. Consider using a responsive design, one that adjusts to fit any device’s screen automatically.
Do not stop at optimizing for mobile, either. Ensure that your website runs smoothly and has navigation that is easy to use. The more friendly your website, the more people will want to use it.
5. Monitor Online Reviews
Yes, those online reviews mean something to local SEO. Those reviews on Google Maps, for example, will not only impact your business’s reputation but also where it shows up on search results.
For this reason, you will want to review and respond, particularly to negative reviews—if you have them. People often look for how a business responds to criticism and how the problem is resolved to gauge trustworthiness.
Connect With Expert Digital Marketing Specialists Today
Local SEO isn’t mere strategy; it’s essential to your business’s success. Beyond gaining visibility, local SEO supports your business’s credibility and direct connections to potential customers. Implementing the five tips in this article is just the beginning. To get the most out of local SEO and boost your business to new heights, reach out to the digital marketing specialists at Digital Marketing Group, LLC by calling 1-800-969-4736 or by filling out the contact form.