Do you own a business that relies on local customers rather than a national client base? If so, a strong local ranking in Google is essential for your success.
Local SEO strategies work to expose your business to people looking for products and services in your area. This is much more effective than casting a wide net and trying to reach a large audience.
However, improving your local rank requires a specialized approach. To help you out, we’re going over five local SEO tips that will bring in new customers from your community.
1. A Google My Business Account
One of the first things you need to do is claim your Google My Business listing. This is a free service that puts your business on the Google stage.
Your listing will ensure you appear on Google Maps. It will also help you rank higher in local searches.
When creating your listing, make sure all business information is accurate and that you include logos, product descriptions, and payment methods.
2. A Local Approach to Keywords
A good keyword strategy is crucial when trying to get a website to rank well. However, if you want to improve your local reach, you need geo-specific keywords.
Limiting keywords to products and services isn’t enough. You need to include cities, counties, neighborhoods, and even highways.
This requires extensive research. If you need help with SEO strategies, consider hiring a professional.
3. Customer Reviews
Encouraging your customers to leave reviews is a great way to boost your Google ranking. It also helps local customers make purchasing decisions.
Make it a point to add reviews to your social media pages, website, and Google My Business listing. When someone in the area is searching for products and services you provide, there’s a good chance these reviews will show up in search results pages.
4. Business Directories
In addition to Google My Business, it’s also important to create listings in other business directories. This improves your chances of ranking well locally.
Sites like Yelp, Bing, and YellowPages are some must-have listings. However, there are plenty of additional directories you should look into.
When creating listings, make sure all your business information is consistent. You should also include links to your website and social media profiles.
5. Mobile Optimization
How many times have you searched for local businesses on your smartphone? If you’re like everyone else, you do it on a regular basis.
If your website isn’t optimized for mobile devices, you’re missing out on a huge amount of business. In addition, Google now takes mobile optimization into account when ranking sites.
You may need to hire a developer to optimize your site for mobile use. The small investment is well worth it.
Improve Your Local Rank and Enjoy Major Growth
Not paying attention to your local rank in Google means you’re missing out on a large segment of your target audience. Don’t lose this business to the competition.
Use the five tips discussed above and expand your local reach as soon as possible. You’ll enjoy substantial growth in the coming year.
