Local search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the most effective ways for search engines to provide relevant results to users. Considering the fact the more and more consumers are using mobile devices to search products/services or find information, it has become extremely important that a local business has a strong local search presence.
What is Local SEO?
Local search provides search results to users calculated according to location data. It’s a great tool to improve the visibility of your site -- after all, you’re only competing with rival businesses in the same geographic location. The better visibility you have on a search engine results page, the more likely that someone will find your business online, click on your website and convert.
Local SEO marketing is a fairly simple process, yet very often not implemented correctly. You need to claim your local listings on popular business listing directories such as Google+, Yahoo Local, and Bing Local. Each site has a different verification method to verify that you are the owner of the business listing. Don’t forget other crucial directories such as Yelp and Foursquare.
Here is Quick Local SEO Checklist
Consistency:
It is important to complete each profile using accurate and consistent information across all of your local listings. Details such as your name, address, and phone number (often referred as NAP) needs to be consistent when it comes to your local accounts, directory listings and any other reference about your business.
Reviews:
Always encourage your users to post reviews and feedback regarding their experiences. It adds to the credibility of your business. Remember prospective customers are always looking for reviews. Stay away from the temptation of posting fake reviews. It could turn out to be dangerous for your reputation. Also, avoid forcing your customers to post reviews. Just send an email asking about customer feedback. Simply create a page on your website to display positive reviews and testimonials.
Leverage Visual Content:
Strategic use of videos, infographics, and images in your website attract eyeballs and entice customers. This helps visitors to stay on your website longer, increasing the chance of converting a prospect into lead. Find the optimum balance of content and visual images.
User Experience:
Try to improve the user experience; ultimately it will help your local business SEO. Clean design and intuitive navigation are cornerstones of user experience. Fancy animations and jazzy features are not going to help your business in its local SEO strategy.
Social Media:
Social media and networking sites play an instrumental role in improving local business’ visibility in search results. Adopt a proactive approach in your social media strategy to attract followers and increase user engagement level — and subsequently appear within search. In order to keep your users engaged, provide timely updates on new products, discounts, and information relevant to your customers. Reach out via social media with questions or feedback.
Finally
Don’t shy away from taking Local SEO services from experts to ensure that you stay ahead of competition. There is always need for constant innovation. Always experiment and make changes. You would be surprised at how little changes can trigger phenomenal response.
Local search provides search results to users calculated according to location data. It’s a great tool to improve the visibility of your site -- after all, you’re only competing with rival businesses in the same geographic location. The better visibility you have on a search engine results page, the more likely that someone will find your business online, click on your website and convert.
Local SEO marketing is a fairly simple process, yet very often not implemented correctly. You need to claim your local listings on popular business listing directories such as Google+, Yahoo Local, and Bing Local. Each site has a different verification method to verify that you are the owner of the business listing. Don’t forget other crucial directories such as Yelp and Foursquare.
Here is Quick Local SEO Checklist
Consistency:
It is important to complete each profile using accurate and consistent information across all of your local listings. Details such as your name, address, and phone number (often referred as NAP) needs to be consistent when it comes to your local accounts, directory listings and any other reference about your business.
Reviews:
Always encourage your users to post reviews and feedback regarding their experiences. It adds to the credibility of your business. Remember prospective customers are always looking for reviews. Stay away from the temptation of posting fake reviews. It could turn out to be dangerous for your reputation. Also, avoid forcing your customers to post reviews. Just send an email asking about customer feedback. Simply create a page on your website to display positive reviews and testimonials.
Leverage Visual Content:
Strategic use of videos, infographics, and images in your website attract eyeballs and entice customers. This helps visitors to stay on your website longer, increasing the chance of converting a prospect into lead. Find the optimum balance of content and visual images.
User Experience:
Try to improve the user experience; ultimately it will help your local business SEO. Clean design and intuitive navigation are cornerstones of user experience. Fancy animations and jazzy features are not going to help your business in its local SEO strategy.
Social media and networking sites play an instrumental role in improving local business’ visibility in search results. Adopt a proactive approach in your social media strategy to attract followers and increase user engagement level — and subsequently appear within search. In order to keep your users engaged, provide timely updates on new products, discounts, and information relevant to your customers. Reach out via social media with questions or feedback.
Finally
Don’t shy away from taking Local SEO services from experts to ensure that you stay ahead of competition. There is always need for constant innovation. Always experiment and make changes. You would be surprised at how little changes can trigger phenomenal response.
