About 46% of all Google searches are looking for local information, which is what makes optimizing local SEO crucial. It can make or break how well you rank in the local search engine results pages (SERPs). This article contains eleven local SEO tips that will help get you started with local optimization.
1. Research Your Competition
One of the best ways to get an idea of what is involved in local SEO is to look at your competitors. What techniques are they using to rank well in the local SERPs? Try to replicate their efforts and go beyond what they are doing. Suppose your competitor only uses the basics, such as name, address, and phone number (NAP) verification and a Google+ page. In that case, you could improve your ranking by adding Local SEO tactics, such as review solicitation and link building.
2. Claim and Complete Your Google My Business Listing
One of the most critical aspects of local SEO is claiming and completing your Google My Business (GMB) listing. That will allow you to control all the relevant information about your business displayed on the SERP. This information should include your business name, address, phone number, website URL, and operating hours. Make sure that all the information in your listing is accurate and up-to-date. Also, add high-quality photos of your business and products or services.
3. Add NAP Information to Your Online Directories
Another important aspect of local SEO is ensuring that your NAP information is consistent across all of your online directories. That will help Google verify your business information and rank you higher in the local SERPs. You can use digital marketing tools to find all of the online directories your business is listed on and then ensure that the NAP information is accurate and consistent.
4. Get Positive Reviews from Happy Customers
One of the best ways to improve your local SEO ranking is to get more positive reviews from happy customers. Reviews are a critical factor that Google uses to rank businesses in the local SERPS, so it’s essential that you have as many positive reviews as possible. You can encourage your customers to leave reviews by providing them with a link to your GMB listing or by sending them an email after purchasing.
5. Use Local Keywords in Your Content
When creating website content, it’s essential to use local keywords relevant to your business. That will help Google understand your business and rank you higher in the local SERPs. You can use Google’s Keyword Planner tool to find local keywords relevant to your business. Be sure to include these keywords in your website content and your title tags and meta descriptions.
6. Optimize Your Website for Mobile Devices
Since more and more people are using mobile devices to search for local businesses, it’s essential to make sure that your website is optimized for these devices. That means using a responsive design that will automatically adjust to the size of the screen and using smaller images and fonts that are easy to read on a mobile device. The Google Mobile-Friendly Test tool can help you do this.
7. Add Your Business to Google Maps
Adding your business to Google Maps is another critical step in local SEO. Doing so allows potential customers to find your business efficiently. You can add your business to Google Maps by creating a free account on GBP and following the instructions.
8. Publish Blog Posts About Your Business
Google loves fresh and new content, so publishing blog posts about your business is a great way to improve your local SEO ranking. These blog posts can be about anything related to your business, such as product or service reviews, news stories, or industry insights. Be sure to include keywords and phrases that are relevant to your business in the title of your blog post, as well as in the body text. You can also use Google’s Keyword Planner tool to find additional keywords that you can use in your content.
9. Build Links to Your Website
One of the best ways to improve your local SEO ranking is to build links from other websites. These links will help show Google that your website is a reputable source of information about your business. Having informative and helpful content on your website is an excellent way to do this because other websites will be more likely to link to yours.
10. Use Google Ads to Promote Your Business
Google Ads is a great way to promote your business and generate more leads. You can use Google Ads to target potential customers in your area and increase your website traffic and sales. You can create a Google Ads campaign in just a few minutes and start targeting local customers right away.
11. Conduct a Local SEO Audit of Your Website
If you want to improve your local SEO ranking, it’s essential to conduct an SEO audit. An audit will help you identify any areas that need improvement and give you a roadmap for achieving better results. You can use an SEO audit tool to conduct a quick SEO audit of your website. This tool will help you identify the most critical areas for improvement and give you a score based on your website’s SEO health.
If you’re a local business, you must understand the ins and outs of Local SEO. The tips we’ve provided in this post should help you get started with some practical solutions that are guaranteed to improve your ranking on Google search engines.
You can start by conducting an audit of your current website so that you can identify any areas for improvement before making changes. If all else fails, you can always reach out to SEO professionals and rely on their expert advice about optimizing your site for better results.
RSM Marketing offers clients affordable, predictable, and sustainable digital marketing services, including Local SEO services. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how our team can help your business succeed!
