If you have a business that depends on people in your area finding you, local search engine optimization (SEO) is essential. If you don’t believe us, take a minute to look over these local SEO statistics, which include the striking one about how 46% of all Google searches are looking for local information. This is why local businesses can’t afford to overlook these local SEO tips.
Today’s consumers use their mobile devices at home and on the go to find out where to get the products and services they’re looking for. Often, this is done by using the phrase “near me” in their search engine queries. And these are people who are ready to buy. This is why it’s so important that your brand’s website and other components of its online presence be optimized for your location.
Use these local SEO tips to help people in your area find you when they’re looking to purchase whatever it is that you sell.
Connect with Local Consumers with These Local SEO Tips
- Make sure all contact information for your business is listed correctly and consistently everywhere it appears online. Be mindful of this and carefully proofread when entering your business contact information in the sites mentioned below. Request that errors and inconsistencies be fixed on sites where you can’t make the changes yourself.
- Completely fill out and optimize your Google My Business listing. Read more about how to optimize your Google My Business listing here.
- Periodically share a link to your Google My Business listing from your social media accounts.
- Get your brand listed in these online business directories.
- Also get listed by these four map data aggregators: Foursquare, Factual, Data Axle, and Neustar. They’re the main suppliers of map data for Google, Bing, Apple, Yelp, Trip Advisor, and other important search vehicles.
- Include complete and consistent contact information on all your social media profiles.
- Occasionally mention your town or city naturally in your website copy, including in some title and header tags, body copy, URLs, alt-text, and meta descriptions.
- Create landing pages for each location if you have multiple business locations. Include the address and full contact information. Add other helpful content like business hours, parking and/or public transportation information, store-specific testimonials, site-specific sales or other promotions, etc. If you only have one location, use your About page for this.
- Regularly publish locally focused content on your blog that refers to your town or city. Of course, stick to topics that make sense for your target audience.
- Make sure your website is entirely mobile friendly, or Google won’t show it in local search results.
- Make an ongoing effort to increase the number of inbound links from other reputable websites that lead to your website. Here are some common ways of getting quality backlinks. Pay extra attention to backlinks from other local brands and websites. When possible, include your town or city in the anchor text of your backlinks.
