How To Master The Art Of Local Search Engine Optimization To Rank?
If you are a small business, local Search Engine Optimization is a powerful tool for you. A study by Forbes reveals that close to 95% of online users search for local businesses on their mobile devices – out of which, 61% call the store and 59% visit them.
Another study shows that nearly 46% of all Google searches pursue local information, and close to 88% of customers visit or call the store in about a day. Unsurprisingly, 30% of those searches result in final purchases.
When a user searches for something on Google, a few businesses appear right on top of the search pages with a map and other details. These are to get the most clicks and traffic than those below the top three or four results. Wondering how they manage to get there? Well, it is all part of a robust SEO campaign that ultimately starts with prioritizing your efforts for local searches.
It directly means that if your digital marketing strategies aren’t optimized for local searches, you can be missing out on potential business in your area. Therefore, mastering local SEO is critical if you wish to keep your online business relevant and reachable. Besides, here is a comprehensive Local Search Engine Optimization guide to help maximize your local search rankings and make an immediate impact on your bottom line.
Local Search Engine Optimization Overview
Search engines like Google prioritize location as one of the critical determinants when ranking search results. If a customer in Allen, Texas, searches for “pest control near me” or “tree service near me,” the search results will differ from those in Frisco or Plano. For this reason, your SEO content needs to deliver relevant results to search engines and inform the target audience of businesses (or websites) applicable to them in their geographical area.
Do You Need Local SEO?
Ideally, law firms, medical practices, catering or hospitality businesses, and local services benefit from local search engine optimization. However, private sellers, e-commerce companies, and online-only companies don’t always need local SEO strategies. It is a matter of personal preference and specific needs.
Importance of Local SEO
If you haven’t already thought about investing in your local community, now is the time. Don’t believe us? Take a look at these reasons why local SEO is valuable:
- Local Search Engine Optimization helps your business stand out from your competitors.
- You gain prospects and customers visiting you on a whim.
- You can also attract visitors or newcomers searching for services in specific locations.
- Local Search Engine Optimization delivers organic yet lasting results cost-efficiently.
- Customers today look to support local businesses, so, you can establish yourself as one.
Understanding the benefits of local search engine optimization is your way to increasing the local customer base, connecting with the community, building brand awareness, and better positioning your reputation.
Mastering Local SEO
Before discussing how you can master local SEO efforts, let us quickly brief you on what affects your local SEO rankings. The three key factors include:
Relevance – It refers to how well the local listing matches local search queries. If your business information is up-to-date and relevant, there are more chances of searches matching your business, thus ranking it better.
Distance – What happens when users don’t specify a location while searching online? Google automatically calculates the distance based on the location details known to it and accordingly displays search results.
Prominence – Your online standing makes all the difference, so it is always suggested to have consistent, updated, and complete info across all digital channels. It improves your local ranking and has more chances of showing up against relevant search queries.
Now that you understand the basics, here is how you can improve local search engine optimization and master the art to boost local rankings:
- Optimize Google My Business (GMB) page
Claim your GMB page and optimize it for local searches. Keep NAP (name, address, and phone number) information updated and consistent across all online channels. Focus on adding relevant keywords. Update photos, videos, descriptions, hours of operation, and reviews on your listing. For more, check out this link to know how to fill up the particulars. Staying relevant and accurate helps avoid negative local SEO ranking.
- Engage in social media
Yes, social media today is more important than ever. Also, since you have your beautifully carved and updated GMB page, time to align social media and Google search for better reach.
- Optimize online directories
You can easily and quickly list your business on famous online directories like Apple, Bing, Google, Trip Advisor, Yahoo Local, and Yelp. You can also target industry-specific directories, leaving no stones unturned.
- Refine website for local searches
Update and optimize meta descriptions, title tags, URL, headers, landing page content, and business information. More than 90% of people turn to Google to look for answers, so make sure nothing appears spammy and out of place on your website.
- Add dedicated location pages
Yes, building dedicated location pages do the trick to level up your website’s local reach. Use descriptive, preferably location-specific keywords, some trivia, and advice about particular locations to make the information appealing and relevant. Avoid duplication and have unique location details across multiple pages.
- Improve internal links
Internal linking matters. Why? It supports website navigation, website hierarchy, and page authority. So, add as many as necessary and helpful internal links. Use links natural for visitors to click and ensure linking relevant content. Not to mention, link deep within the site’s structure and not merely contact or home pages. Use anchor text, create killer content, and you are good to go.
- Perform a local SEO audit
It may be tempting to push the brakes but stop not. Regularly perform an audit to ensure GMB accuracy, Google Search Console crawlability, on-page SEO elements, competitor analysis, and website performance, and draft your plans accordingly. Keep going, and you will eventually achieve your goals.
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How To Master The Art Of Local Search Engine Optimization To Rank?
Wished your business could sit on top of the search heap? Well, local search engine optimization is the answer. Unlike regular SEO efforts, local SEO helps bump up your business standing in specific locations (town, city, or state) and rank you better for local search queries.
Mastering the art of local search engine optimization will position you better to hit your business goals. Book a free consultation with Click4Corp digital marketing experts today for further details or professional advice. We can help you with the dos and don’ts of your marketing campaigns to hit your all-time high.
Call on 469-441-4678 and schedule your appointment right away.