Do you run a coffee shop successfully but want to bring in more local customers? How? It’s pretty simple. It would help if you started doing local SEO. We’ll help you understand how local SEO works for businesses by attracting local customers to your offline store.
Let’s understand the concept of local social media optimization first-
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO is a form of SEO that helps local businesses increase their search visibility by optimizing their websites and appearing on the top of SERPs. This is why Local SEO is essential for small businesses that operate on a small scale.
For example, it helps your local business to be easily seen by potential customers who look for one specific location like “Best bakery in Chicago,” “coffee shops around me,” etc.
Local SEO focuses on marketing your brand, products, and services to local leads and customers. So, local SEO is more specific to a particular location than general Google searches.
Importance of Local SEO
More than 40% of google searches are local. Since people use Google to search for businesses near them, doing Local SEO is crucial for your business. It also helps you:
- Boost your presence online.
- Be seen on the internet map for people to see.
- Reach local customers who search for your services/product.
- Bring people to your actual location.
- Get more targeted traffic, which brings more leads and improves your chances of conversion.
- Makes your business credible and builds trust.
Local businesses use local SEO to:
- Get the highest conversion rates.
- Reach local customers using mobile phones or tablets to find the best local businesses.
- Get a good return on business.
Improving Local Ranking
Now that we have talked about local SEO and what difference it makes let’s see how you can use it to improve your local ranking.
Optimize Your Google My Business Listing
Google My Business allows you to improve your local ranking in Google search results and Google Maps. Businesses can create free business listings on Google My Business, so their business shows up for relevant searches in their area.
You can use Google My Business to improve your business’s local ranking. Start by-
- Claim your listing- Provide your full business details like name, business category, address, the exact location on a map, business number, and website (if applicable) for this
- Make sure you verify your business account.
- Keep updating your business details like opening time, product information, your service, and additional information relevant to your business.
- Link to your website
- Upload recent images of your business
You can also optimize your profile by regularly sharing fresh content and business updates like product announcements, events, and exclusive offers.
Get Reviews
If you encourage your offline customers to give reviews to your business online, it can be advantageous for you. Positive reviews improve your business visibility, enhance your image, and encourage more local customers to buy from you. Once you get reviews, positive or negative, make sure you respond immediately to them.
Even if the review is negative, you can address the issues quickly and calmly. You show that you value your customer’s feedback by replying to their reviews. You can even request your customers to give you a review on Google. Positive reviews help you rank better; they help others see that your business is highly recommended, increasing your chances of gaining new customers.
Link Building
Link building will change your website rank in local google searches. So, it should be given priority whenever you do local SEO. Target authority websites in your region so the linking domains are more relevant to your target location. Earning links from websites with high domain authority in your local area gives your business an advantage over your competitors. You can also gain valuable backlinks from local sites through guest posting.
Ensure Your Business NAP is Consistent
It’s a positive impression if your business shows up on search engine results when people search for your business. So, you should ensure that the name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across all the online platforms and your website. Consistent NAP is essential for both local listing rankings and organic rankings.
Write your name, address, and other information as it is displayed on your website. Add LLC, Co., or Inc., if it needs to be included. Update this information on major citation websites, especially those with higher domain authority.
Bottom Line
If you do a local search, you find local results across Google in places like Google Maps and Search. So, if your website does not rank on local search results, you’ll miss out on a lot of web traffic and customers.
So, use local SEO strategies to boost your sales, enhance your online visibility in local searches, and grow your business. You could even get the help of a local SEO services provider to make your local business grow. So, which strategy are you thinking of improving your local ranking?
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