Local Search Engine Optimization, commonly known as local SEO, is an important marketing strategy you should be taking advantage of. Local SEO helps your business gain a wider presence in online search engines by utilizing your business’s physical location. 

Since roughly 35% of search engine traffic by users is local, you can widen your scope of potential customers by targeting your efforts within your own community, city, and state. If you don’t know where to start, a local SEO services company can guide you by focusing on these top 5 ways to improve your local SEO. 

Create & Optimize Your Business Listings – Especially Google My Business

One of the easiest ways to begin optimizing your business with local SEO is by creating business listings on popular search engines and online forums. Google My Business is, by far, one of the most popular tools in helping you establish your digital presence. Just create a free account and provide accurate and up-to-date information about your business, including:

• Your Business Name
• Business Description
• Hours of Operation
• Business Address & Phone Number
• A Link to Your Website
• High-Quality Images of Your Business

Make sure to verify your listing on any search engines you use, such as Yelp and Bing, and forums like Trip Advisor. A local SEO services company can help you claim any and all business listings you may have created and forgotten about in the past (duplicate listings).

Gain Customer Reviews

Reviews from local customers can go a long way in bolstering your presence, as well as your credibility and trustworthiness. 85% of customers believe these kinds of reviews as much as personal recommendations, so remember to show your skills in customer services by responding to reviewers professionally, especially when you address reviews that are less favourable, or are issuing a complaint.

Utilize Voice Search Optimization 

Voice search optimization (VEO) takes voice searches into account when optimizing for search engines. This can be key for local SEO since customers who use voice searches on their smartphones (or other smart devices) typically ask location-based questions. 

For example: “Where is a local SEO services company near me?”

When search engines like Google and Safari take this information, they will lock onto the user’s location in order to generate the most accurate place-based results. You can optimize your website content for VEO by employing long-tail keywords: phrases of three words or more that answer specific questions about your business. These questions should be answering – who, what, when, where, why, and how. 

Optimize for Mobile Search

According to HubSpot, 82% of smartphone consumers will make a “near me” search, and 78% of those searches result in an “offline purchase.” This means that your website and all other digital content should be mobile-friendly for smartphones. A local SEO services company will ensure that your website employs responsive web design, to make sure it is loading quickly and is easy to navigate on both desktops and smartphones.

Utilize Social Media

Social media is a free and easy way to keep in touch with your audience and local community, not to mention an excellent tool for customer service opportunities. You can communicate any updates and news about your business quickly and directly, generating more interest in your brand.

Want to Improve Your Local SEO?

Local SEO is about connecting with your customers on a more personal level, addressing their needs and answering their questions. In this way, optimizing your business with local SEO is more important than ever.