You never know when Google will introduce new features in its SERPs for local search, but you can count on these changes coming. That's why it's essential to always stay on top of local SEO. By putting these 11 actionable items into practice, you'll ensure that your business not only takes advantage of lucrative local search, but also has a solid foundation when new SEO features are introduced. And if you don't have the bandwidth to make these adjustments, you may want to look for a small business SEO service provider.
Word of mouth and local ads can be a good way to attract customers from your area. But online search can be just as impactful, if not more so. In fact, Social Media Today reports that 97% of search engine users have searched the Internet to find a local business. And 46% of Google searches were looking for local information.
Given that smartphones are part of our everyday lives, it is natural that many people use their phones to search for local businesses and information. Uberall commissioned a study which found that 82 per cent of respondents had used their mobile devices to conduct a 'nearby search'. This shows the extent to which people use their phones for local search. We've had our fair share of run-ins with Google My Business (GMB), so if you find yourself banging your head against a wall, you're not alone.
However, claiming your business listing and populating the content on it is essential for your local seo listing, especially for your Google Local Pack and SERP results. Don't be discouraged if your business category is not listed, although there are over 2,000 categories, they have some rare ones, so do your best to find the one that makes the most sense for your business. Use both primary and LSI keywords whenever you can when stuffing your content, as this counts for almost 20 percent of your chances of getting into the Local Pack. Local SEO is a search engine optimisation (SEO) strategy that helps your business become more visible in local search results on Google.
If this all sounds like a dream come true, read on to learn about 11 local SEO solutions you can implement right now. The importance of Google My Business has been covered enough; now it's time to claim your listing and start capitalising on all those local leads. Why not both? As a small business, you can take full advantage of the geographic proximity and familiarity you share with other businesses in your area. Local link building is synonymous with community engagement.
Managing your brand message across multiple channels is no easy task, especially for small businesses. Once you create a profile on the social platforms of your choice, you need to update it regularly. What your brand stands for cannot. Voice search is another topic that has already been discussed in depth and represents a valuable opportunity for local SEO.
As this is still a fairly new technology, competition may not be as high. As is already clear, local SEO solutions appear in all relevant Semrush tools, such as Position Tracking and On Page SEO Checker. So, if you are looking for solutions for your local SEO needs, know that Semrush has a whole set of local SEO tools to help you through the whole process. Once you have done the initial work of gathering information for your Google My Business page, an important step in your local SEO strategy is to submit the same information to online business directories such as Yelp, HubSpot, TripAdvisor, etc.
Become the local authority in your industry by promoting local industry meetings, news, employees and other educational content on your blog. Inbound links are incredibly powerful opportunities to boost your local SEO: every inbound link tells Google that you are a legitimate business, and inbound links can also increase your domain authority. Citations are important because they help local businesses appear in online searches, and when local businesses actively manage their citations to ensure data accuracy, it builds trust in these online listings. Search Engine Journal's e-book, A Guide to Local SEO, addresses what you need to know about optimising for local search.
Having social media signals pointing to your location is another advantage when it comes to ranking for local SEO. Miriam Ellis is here to help you identify which key points of your local SEO plan you've taken care of and which still need some love. For brands with multiple locations, Google My Business and local SEO can be confusing and frustrating. Local SEO techniques and best practices focus on on-page optimisation for location-specific queries as well as Google My Business (GMB) page setup.
With a better understanding of how local SERPs behave, SEOs can refine keyword lists, tailor content and build targeted campaigns accordingly. Otherwise, you'll have no idea if your local SEO efforts are actually translating into leads, customers and ultimately more revenue for your business. When the local SEO industry is in the midst of a sea change and Google is ready to change the rules at any time, your best bet is to safeguard your efforts with an organic and offline approach.
