How to Grow Your Business Using Local SEO
Local SEO is about optimising your online presence so it is shown in search results to people looking for a business like yours in an area which best suits them. For example, a customer wanting a coffee wants to receive search results from local cafes, not a supermarket in the next town. It's Google's job to present the best results to its users, and it will do so using the information you provide it with. That's when the local SEO you put in place comes into play.
With local SEO optimisation, there are a few key things you should be doing:
- Claim and use your Google Business Profile - when optimising your Google Business Profile, include your address, opening hours, photos and products or services. Ask your customers to add reviews here and be sure to respond to them. Add regular updates and information here too.
- Conduct keyword research - you want to find and use the specific keyword phrases your customers are using. This can include not only place names, but also phrases like 'near me'
- Add local links - links from other local businesses to yours can be very helpful. This could be done by commenting on their blogs, or even by adding your business details to an online business directory.
- Make sure that your contact details - business name, address, phone number - are consistent online. Having inconsistent information will confuse search engines and result in a lowering of trust in your business.
- Add a contact page to your website which contains location information, possibly a map
- Create local content to attract local readers to your website. This is where you can use your researched keyword phrases, in both the page content and the page filenames.
- Ensure your website is mobile friendly as most local searches are done on small mobile devices
- Encourage online reviews through your Google Business Profile, social media and your website
The benefits of spending time optimising your local SEO include:
- increased online visibility in local search results and Google Maps
- greater foot traffic for bricks and mortar stores
- improved conversion rates as people who are ready to buy will find you in search results
- social proof through reviews which potential customers love seeing and respond positively towards
Local SEO is only one part of improving your online visibility. We recommend reading our DIY SEO resources for further and more detailed assistance with improving the SEO of your website.
Download Your Free Local SEO Checklist
To help improve your local SEO, we've put together a free downloadable local SEO checklist
Tags: social media marketing
Posted: Friday 19 July 2024
