You’ll have heard of SEO when it comes to boosting your business’s visibility on the internet, but how can you boost your local presence? That’s where Local Search Engine Optimization (SEO) comes into play. It makes sure that businesses, like yours, have higher visibility in local searches for those that might be looking for something close by to them. Let’s take a look at how local SEO mastery can help boost your businesses’ local presence.
What is Local SEO?
To put it simply, local SEO is a branch of search engine optimization that focuses on optimizing your business’s online presence to attract more local customers. While your business may serve customers far and wide, using local SEO means that when potential customers in your area search for the products and services relating to your business, your business will appear in the search results.
There are a few key elements to keep in mind when optimizing your business for local SEO, and we’ll explore each of these in a little more detail now.
Google My Business (GMB)
One of the first things you should be doing when trying to optimize your website for local SEO is signing up for Google My Business. This means claiming (or creating if it isn’t already listed) your business on Google and making sure that everything is up to date. This includes your current business address, phone number, and your opening times. There will also be categories that are relevant to your products or services that you can choose from, so make sure you categorize it accurately.
You also have the chance to showcase your business through uploading photos you’ve taken of your business. A good listing on Google will have both interior and exterior images in high quality, as well as images of your products, staff, or anything else that showcases what you offer as a business.
Regularly updating your GMB profile with changed opening times (such as bank holidays) and other things like promotions will help Google recognize that your business is active and keep you as a search result for those keywords.
Local Keyword Optimization
You’ll need to conduct thorough research on relevant keywords that relate to your business or the industry you’re in, and match it with where you live. Use keyword research tools like ahrefs to find out what people in your area are searching for. For example, if you are a plumber in Perth, you’d come across search terms like “plumber near me in Perth”. Once you have this information, you need to incorporate these keywords as naturally as possible into the content on your website, as well as meta tags and H2s.
If you cover multiple areas, create location specific landing pages to make sure you’re ranking for all of the areas you serve. This not only helps your business show up in multiple areas, but it means you’ll rank for multiple keywords at a time.
Online Reviews
Customer reviews and recommendations play a huge role in local SEO. Wherever possible, ask satisfied customers to leave a positive review on your Google listing and other areas of the internet such as Yelp and Trust Pilot. Make sure you respond quickly and professionally to all reviews, regardless of whether they are negative or not. Even responding to negative reviews will give you the chance to demonstrate how committed you are to customer satisfaction. Offer solutions to their problems and address any concerns people may have.
Showing Google that you’re managing your GMB profile will do you a world of favors when it comes to your local SEO. Essentially, the more active you are, the better for your business.
Local Backlinks
Backlinks also play a huge role in any SEO success, including local SEO. Getting backlinks from other local (but reputable) websites will signal to Google and other search engines that your business is the real deal.
Using local backlinks also opens the opportunity for you to work with other companies for collaborations or sponsorships, which will only add to how credible you come across on search engine results.
Staying ahead of the game
It’s important to remember that SEO is an ever-evolving field, and you will need to keep on top of it. Check back regularly on your keyword research, and adjust your website and actions accordingly.
Other tricks you can use are implementing voice search and optimizing your website for mobile devices to get ahead of the game in the local SEO world. Search engines favor sites like these, so get ahead of the game now and implement local SEO into your website!
