Local SEO is a powerful way for small businesses to be visible in local searches. It is observed that almost 46% of all Google searches are made with the intent to get local information. This simply means if your business is not visible on the local searches you are missing all those potential customers who could have visited your shop.
So here comes the need for proper Local SEO, which is very important for your business to stay relevant.
In this blog, I will cover what local SEO is and the major Steps in Local SEO.
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO entails enhancing your online presence in order to attract business from Google and other search engines for local queries.
Local information is sought by 46 percent of all Google searches, according to Hubspot’s local SEO statistics. And 72% of those who utilized local SEO near me to find a local product or service went to a store within five miles.
Now the question arises how to do local SEO?
Let us understand the steps for Local SEO.
Useful Steps to Master Local SEO
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Optimize Your Google Business Profile (earlier Google My Business).
Google My Business is the first and most important component of local search; because Google prefers to provide content it can trust and verify, Google My Business is their tool for helping your business meet Google’s requirements.
For an optimized Google Business Profile you should:
- Create and Verify a Google Business Profile Page.
- Post regularly within your Google Business Profile account.
- Seek reviews from your customers on your Google Business Profile page.
- Always respond to the reviews genuinely mentioning your product/services and your location.
Once Google verifies the legitimacy of your business, the search engine may provide you with a coveted sidebar position in Google’s local search.
This isn’t merely for the sake of SEO. The potential customers can see the reviews, updated contact details, operation hours, etc. on your Google Business Profile. Due to the upheaval in consumer buying behavior and corporate operations expected in the time to come, consumers need to find updated information now more than ever.
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Use the right local keywords for your products and services.
It’s critical that the descriptions of your products and services on your website accurately represent what consumers in your area are looking for.
Once you have the right keywords, you can optimize your content and build your local SEO strategy around it.
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Post to Google My Business and engage on social media.
Google has shown greater emphasis on material posted on social media than ever before.
Now that you’ve created a stunning Google My Business page, share it on social media to bring social and search closer together.
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Use GeoTag images.
Wherever you are posting images like on posts, media, etc. always use GeoTag Images. Geotagging allows search engines to connect your photo to the location of what it represents, as well as where and when it was shot. You can specify a precise location for geotagging, right down to the latitude and longitude coordinates.
To GeoTag images you need to use a tool. Although there are few tools available online, most of them are not free, but you can use Geo Tag Generator which is a free tool.
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Make sure your name, address, and phone number are all the same across all platforms.
You must make it simple for people to find you and for search engines to find you. To accomplish this set up your NAP (name, address, and phone number) with the area code. This should be included on your site as crawlable HTML text.
Avoid making the usual mistake of merely inserting the NAP within a picture; images, unlike HTML text, cannot be indexed by search engines. The most typical place for the NAP is in the site’s footer or header.
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Improve the quality of web directories and citations.
Check that your citations are consistent and complete across all the websites and directories.
Misspellings, abbreviations, a lack of a suite number, or an incorrect phone number might all be troublesome.
If Google can’t figure out which information about your company is correct, it may not show up in search results at all.
Also, make sure to delete any duplicate listings you come across.
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Conduct a local SEO audit.
It’s tempting to put your foot on the brake once you’ve mastered the essentials. SEO, on the other hand, is a continuous and intuitive process. Rather than stopping there or simply making changes and seeing what sticks, it’s a good idea to do a full audit to determine where your website stands and what needs to be improved to meet your objectives. The following items may be included in a local SEO audit:
- Google Business Profile Audit – What does your Google Business Profile look like in the search results? Is the information accurate?
- Google Search Console Audit – Is it possible to crawl your website? Is there anything wrong with it that would make indexing difficult?
- On-Page SEO Audit – Is your website equipped with all of the on-page SEO features that aid in ranking?
- Citation Audit – Are all of your citations in the leading business directories correct?
- Competitor Analysis – How does your website compare to those of your competitors? Do you have any gaps that need to be filled? In terms of inbound links, content, design, and positioning, how do you compare?
- Website Audit – What is the status of your website? How is it performing?
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Improve the structure of your internal linking.
Although external links to your site are desirable, altering your internal linking structure will also help you rank higher in search engines.
What is the significance of internal linking? It performs the following functions:
- Assists with website navigation
- Assists with website hierarchy and information architecture.
- It helps to distribute page authority and ranking among different pages.
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Optimize content, URL, title tags, headers, and meta description.
When it comes to content, each new blog post represents a new indexed page for your site, a new page on which to target a geographic search phrase, and a new chance to be found in the search engine results pages (SERPs).
When you write a piece of content, you should use high-volume keywords in the URL, title, header, meta description, and body to optimize it for search engines. Consider showcasing client success stories and case studies if you’re having problems coming up with geo-targeted content.
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Add location pages to your website.
Create location pages if you have more than one physical location. Readers will find your name, address, phone number, store hours, unique business descriptions, promotions, and customer reviews on your location pages.
It’s also critical that you don’t repeat material across multiple location pages. For single-location businesses, create a geographically descriptive About Us page. If you include a Google Map on your website’s location page, you’ll gain a lot of bonus points (s).
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Create content that is local to your area.
Google is becoming more intelligent, which means that content creators may now write for people rather than search engines. While writing on broad issues will appeal to a wide audience, it’s sometimes more important to focus on local or industry news to appeal to a local audience.
To establish yourself as the local authority for your sector, promote local industry gatherings, news, employees, and other instructive information on your blog. Consider creating top-of-funnel material that isn’t just about your company’s products.
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Make sure your site is mobile-friendly.
Local search and mobile search are inextricably linked (61 percent of all Google searches are performed on mobile).
People will use your site on a smartphone to check up on reviews, get directions to your location, and discover contact information, among other things. Over the last few years, smartphone searches for “near me” have surged by 250 percent.
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Obtain relevant and authoritative inbound links.
Inbound links are a fantastic way to improve your local SEO because each one shows Google that you’re a legitimate business, and they may also help you enhance your domain authority. Here are a few options for obtaining inbound links:
- Sponsorships or Partnerships
- Guest Blog Posting
- Scholarships
Begin with your personal network, which could include the Chamber of Commerce, licensing bureaus, trade groups, resellers, vendors, and/or manufacturers, as well as other affiliates.
Consider holding a community event, sponsoring a webinar or meet-up, campaigning for a local topic you care about and establishing relationships with influential people. Also, make it a routine to contact partners to see if they’d like to add you to their partner directory.
Being a guest blogger might also help you gain links. Talk to and about other people in your business (in a positive way, of course!) and serve as a resource for the community. You can notice an increase in inbound links, social media growth, and media coverage if you participate actively in community discussions.
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Participate in your neighborhood.
You’ll get more digital PR if you contribute more to the local community. You can generate press brand awareness, and inbound links by collaborating on a campaign with a non-profit organization, hosting a volunteer day at your company, sponsoring an event (even an online one! ), or appearing in the local media as an expert in your field.
Final Words
In conclusion, Local SEO is not just an option—it’s a necessity for any local business striving to thrive in today’s digital landscape. By implementing the steps outlined in this guide, including leveraging the power of tools like GBPGM (Google Business Profile Growth Manager), you can enhance your online visibility, attract more customers, and ultimately, drive business growth. Whether you run a shop, salon, consultancy firm, or any other local establishment, Local SEO can be a game-changer in ensuring that potential customers find you when they search online. Don’t overlook the importance of local optimization—embrace it and watch your business flourish. Take action now and follow these tips to unlock the full potential of Local SEO. Your business’s success awaits!
