Do you want to take your business to the next level and get noticed in your local market? You’re in luck with these tips, as they’ll help give you a huge local SEO boost! From optimizing your Google My Business listing to creating localized content, let’s dive in and learn how to make sure your site is crushing it locally.
1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Google My Business (formerly Google My Business) lets you keep track of your online presence for free. You’ll also appear in organic searches, including Google Maps. Google Business listings are important because they contain all the information consumers need to make a purchase decision, like the name of your business, hours of operation, customer reviews, and your business address.
Businesses with Google Maps listings are seen as more trustworthy by locals. Due to search intent, Google has given maps listings more attention. Search results are no longer just based on keywords; they’re based on what a user’s looking for.
A good example would be if someone searched for the best Italian restaurant, the search engine knows they don’t just want any restaurant, but the best. It’ll then show the best Italian restaurants in the area based on its location-based information.
According to studies, 49% of local businesses get over 1,000 views a month on Google My Business. In other words, if you don’t have a GMB, you need to set one up. Enlisting your business there, however, is not enough. Your listing needs to perform well as well if you want your local SEO to improve! So how do you go about doing that?
To increase your presence on Google Maps locally, follow these best practices:
- Make sure you take and post photos tagged with your business location.
- Promote your business by posting special offers, events, and updates. As a result, Google knows you are still in business.
The result is more visibility for your business. - Get directions to your workplace as you commute. If your employees are familiar with your address, ask them to do the
same. The fact that people are looking for directions to your business tells Google that your business is good at what it
does—providing high-quality goods/services. - Ensure all your online listings include complete and consistent business information, such as where you’re located, how to
contact you, your hours of operation, images of your business, your products, etc. When you provide complete, consistent
information about your listing, Google will naturally give it higher priority. - Get in touch with your current and past customers. Give them the opportunity to review your business on Google.
Log into your Google Business Profile frequently and check your “insights”. Identify the keywords that drive results and write content that
emphasizes those keywords. It’s all about engagement. The more engagement you get, the higher your search engine ranking.
2. Get Listed in Local Directories
If you’re looking to get your business noticed in the local area, one of the best things to do is to get listed in local directories. These are online resources that list businesses and their contact information for locals to find easily.
Not only will this help potential customers find you more quickly, but it also boosts your SEO rankings since search engines like Google tend to prioritize sites with relevant listings.
Adding your business information on popular directory websites such as Yelp or Yellow Pages can really make a difference, especially if you include all the important details such as address and contact info – these should be up-to-date at all times.
Additionally, consider optimizing each listing with relevant keywords, so they appear higher in search engine results. Finally, don’t forget to respond promptly to any customer reviews left on your page. This shows people that you care about providing excellent service.
3. Create Content Based on Local News Stories or Events
If you’re looking to make an impact in your local market, creating content based on local news stories or events is a great way to do it.
Not only will this help keep your audience informed and engaged, but it also allows them to stay connected with their community. Plus, writing about current topics can be a great source of inspiration. So, if you’re stuck for ideas then take advantage of the latest happenings around town.
Creating content related to local events or news stories also helps boost your SEO rankings since these types of articles tend to get more views and shares than generic ones.
Additionally, by using keywords relevant to the topic at hand, your blog posts are more likely to appear higher up in search engine results when people look for information related to the subject matter. So why not use this as an opportunity showcase how knowledgeable you are about the area? It’s sure to impress potential customers and give them even more reason to choose you over everyone else.
4. Add Location Pages to Your Website
If you’re looking to get your business noticed in the local area, adding location pages to your website is an absolute must. This will not only help potential customers find you more quickly, but it also boosts your SEO rankings since search engines prioritize sites with relevant listings.
Plus, by including all the important information such as contact details and opening hours for each branch or store location this makes it easy for people to reach out if they need additional info.
Creating location pages on-site can be super simple too. Just make sure each page includes a map, so visitors know exactly where they can find you. To make things even easier, consider linking up with popular mapping software like Google Maps so that customers have access to directions right away.
5. Optimize for Voice Search
In 2023, voice search will be one of the top local SEO trends. If you don’t optimize for voice search, you’re missing out on a big chunk of local SEO.
About 41% of people use voice search every day, and that number is only going to grow. This means you should optimize for the medium so you can reach more people. As a result, you’d have a higher conversion rate and become the leader in your field.
People are also using digital assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant more than ever before. To get the best results, you need to ask specific questions. Make sure you include long-tail keywords. It’s also important to think about what your customers might ask, and answer them.
When it comes to local SEO, things change often. So, staying up-to-date with the top trends that are driving results is key to getting those high rankings you crave. Whether you’re a plumber, electrician, or owner of a local boutique, these tips should help you crush the local SEO game. Good luck, and happy ranking!
Need help getting it all done? RankPay is at your service, try our Get Local program now and see what marketing approach is best for your business