- What is Local Search Engine Optimization?
- What is the difference between SEO and Local SEO?
- How to do Local SEO for beginners?
- How to see my local ranking?
- Is it worth paying for Local SEO optimization?
What is Local Search Engine Optimization?
Local search engine optimization, also known as Local SEO, is a process that focuses on optimizing a business’s online presence for specific geographic locations. The goal of Local SEO is to increase visibility in local search engine results, with the aim of attracting more local customers.
Local SEO is best suited for brick-and-mortar business looking to increase 3 things:
- Increase in-store visits from organic search platforms like Google
- More visibility and contact with local customers (phone calls, emails, orders, etc)
- Improved relevance and authority for keywords in your geographic area
What is the difference between SEO and Local SEO?
While both Local SEO and search engine optimization (SEO) aim to increase a business’s visibility in search engine results, Local SEO focuses on optimizing a business’s online presence for specific geographic locations, while SEO focuses on optimizing a website for relevant, non-geographic search queries.
Or, said a little differently, the goal of Local SEO is to make your pin on the maps application as tall, bright, and attractive as possible to those in your geographic area. Meaning if someone if your town or city has a need that your business can assist with, when they use a service like Google Maps, Bing Places, or Apple Maps, your listing appears near the top of their search results.
A classic example of the relevance Local SEO can have is to think about how often we rely on our tiny computing devices, such as mobile phones, to find us a coffee shop in an area of town we are less familiar with. Sure, the bigger companies like McDonald’s, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, and others have brand recognition, but they don’t have near the advantage on the maps applications. Local coffee shops can compete more directly with these larger brands and actually rank higher than them!
How to do Local SEO for beginners?
If you’re new to Local SEO and looking for a place to start, here are a few key steps you can follow:
- Claim and verify your Google Business Profile (aka GBP or formerly known as Google My Business) listing.
- After you retain a GBP listing, fill out all the sections available to you. Use every tool you can.
- Optimize your profile and website by including relevant keywords, engaging content, and speaking to your desired audience in a way they will identify with.
- Build local citations (mentions of your business name, address, and phone number) on relevant websites. Also known as backlinking, a great place to start is brightlocal.com if you want to actively create those listings.
- Encourage customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business listing and other review sites.
How to see my local ranking?
To see where your business stands in local search results, you can use a free tool such as the Google Maps ranking checker. Simply enter your business name and location, and the tool will show you where your business appears in local search results.
Is it worth paying for Local SEO optimization?
Investing in a local SEO company or local SEO agency can be a valuable strategy for local businesses looking to increase their visibility and attract more customers. A good local SEO services provider can help you optimize your website and online presence for local search, and provide ongoing support to ensure your ranking continues to improve. However, it’s important to find a reputable and experienced local SEO specialist who can deliver results and ensure your investment is well worth it.
In conclusion, Local SEO is an effective way for local businesses to increase their visibility and attract more customers. By following the steps outlined above and investing in a good local SEO marketing company, you can take your business to the next level and reach more potential customers.
If you’re looking for local SEO solutions or the best local SEO services near you, consider reaching out to a trusted local SEO experts or local SEO marketing company. With the right local SEO strategy and local search engine optimization services, you can improve your google local search ranking, attract more customers, and take your local business SEO to the next level. Don’t wait, reach out to the best local SEO company for your local search optimization needs today!