Local SEO is crucial if you want your website to be found by local customers. Search results for local queries look different from standard organic results, and optimizing for them can improve your rankings. The top three organic results on Google receive 47.6% of clicks and appear before paid listings, which is why a strong local SEO strategy can boost your traffic. Most digital providers do not include all of these services in their packages, so it pays to choose a company that specializes in local SEO.
Which local SEO strategies matter most for a small business?
There are several factors to consider when working on your local SEO: location, service, and keywords. Content built around these factors will boost your SERP position. Blog posts, social updates, and pillar pages should all weave these terms in. For example, an automotive dealership’s “About Us” page may mention how it serves the town of Butte, while blog posts on the “Best Deals on Honda in Northwestern Montana” area may target local searches for that vehicle.
Keep your NAP consistent across the web
One of the most important aspects of local SEO is ensuring your business’s NAP (name, address, phone) is consistent across all platforms. Google gathers reviews from social media and consumer directories, so your business should focus on the relevant review sites. Other local SEO elements include link building and linking domains relevant to your target location.
Win a spot in the Google Map Pack
The Google Map Pack (also called the Local Pack) displays three companies in the local results of a search, along with a Google Maps view of the area. A digital marketing agency like Exit Digital Marketing Agency may be one of those three. Below the Map Pack are standard search results. If your business doesn’t appear in this section, it may not be found at all, and if you don’t capture the Map Pack, your competitors will.
Build the local SEO pyramid
The local SEO pyramid is the core of a typical local SEO campaign. Your competitors have likely already mastered the three bottom tiers, so the key to standing out is going beyond the basics and discovering opportunities your rivals have not explored. The three bottom tiers are fundamental, but they are not the only aspects to consider. Following this approach can give you a competitive edge and increase the number of potential customers in your area.
Why relevance and distance drive local rankings
The most important factors of local SEO are relevance and distance. Localized content is highly relevant for Google’s search algorithm, so making sure your local landing page includes the business name, address, and phone number is essential. Local SEO is a little tricky, but when done right it can mean a big revenue bump. Understand the factors involved so you don’t end up penalized for something that was done in the past.
A poorly optimized website is unlikely to climb the SERPs for long, and customers will want more information about your business than your competitors’. Around 30 percent of all mobile searches are location-related, and over seventy percent of those searchers will make a phone call. Your local SEO strategy should account for that.
How professionals benefit from local SEO
Local SEO is the right tool for lawyers, accountants, and other professionals who specialize in the area. It pushes your firm to the top of search results and increases your call-to-action. When people need an attorney, they search online for one who offers free consultations, and local SEO lets you reach those people at the right time.
By using local SEO, your website will appear high on local search results. Local traffic increases sales and helps your business get new customers in your area. Local SEO is a practical way to capture qualified leads and keep your business top of mind. Done correctly, it can boost traffic to your website and even your physical location.
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