Nearly a third of mobile Google searches are related to local businesses.
Seventy-six percent of people that use their smartphones to search for a local company visit the next day. Over half want to know a store’s opening hours and 53% want directions.
This article helps to improve your local listings by offering 5 local SEO tips.
Discover how adding local keywords to your content will attract nearby customers. See how building awareness through an SEO optimizing strategy can increase your visitor count.
Read on to learn the key elements of promoting your brand online to your local market.
1. Claim Your My Business Listing
Have you claimed your free Google My Business listing yet?
By creating a Google Business account you can take control over your offline store’s listing that appears on Google Search. It allows you to share your:
- Contact details
- Location on Google Maps with driving directions
- Opening hours and photos
- Reviews and blog posts
You’ll need to confirm that you own the store by adding a tag to your website or requesting a postcard from Google. Then you have full access to add and edit content whenever you wish and track your ad’s usage.
2. Include Your Store Address
This may sound like a dumb question but have you included your store address on your website? And is the link to your contact page easy to find?
Make sure to share all of your contact details on your site and highlight them at the top of the page.
Not only will your customers find it appealing but Google will too. The search engine giant will promote your address when someone searches for your business name.
3. Create a Local SEO Optimizing Strategy
A local SEO optimizing strategy can encompass a variety of services like:
- Off-site strategic link building
- On-site content review
- Citation building on related sites
- Online reputation management
Most companies are unaware of how to promote themselves effectively for local search. By hiring a professional team, you can tap into strategies that work.
4. Add Local Keywords to Your Content
Selecting keywords to boost your search rankings requires some trial and error. But tools like Google Keyword Planner can help, especially for local keyword search counts.
Don’t just research generic phrases like the services you offer.
Include locally-related phrases like your town or city. Be explicit in your terms like ‘plumber in San Ramon’ but also check for implicit phrases to see what works best.
5. Encourage Local Business Reviews
A positive recommendation can impact your business as 93% of consumers read a review before committing to buy.
Encourage your customers to leave a review on your website or on your Google listing. This usually takes the form of a one to five-star rating. And Google will promote feedback on its search pages.
However, don’t demand them to do it or give them a second-rate service. Otherwise, you’ll receive a negative review that will do more harm than good.
More Tips on Creating Local Identity Online
Local SEO is a specific type of search engine optimization that focuses on attracting nearby users.
Adding local keywords and building awareness through an optimization strategy will help. Yet creating local identity doesn’t have to be challenging if you hire an experienced team to assist you. Reach out to the experts and watch your visitor count rise.
Read more about SEO for your local business on our website. Remember to bookmark us and share this article on social media.