Local SEO has never been more essential than it is now. More and more people are using their devices to do a quick Google search to find businesses around them. Businesses must optimize for local SEO and rank at the top among other businesses whenever a potential consumer searches on their device. Before diving deep, let’s start with the fundamentals. 

What is Local SEO? 

Local Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a strategy that assists businesses in increasing their visibility on search engines whenever someone searches for a service or a product relevant to a business in a specific geographical area. 

Local SEO is mainly focused on businesses with a brick-and-mortar location through which they provide services or sell products to customers. 

Why local SEO is important? 

Oftentimes, there are numerous businesses in a neighborhood that are offering similar products and services to yours. Every business wishes to be in the eyes of its customers and to achieve this, businesses have to be where their customers are.  

In today’s world, everyone does a Google Search to find information about a business. As a result, it is critical for businesses to rank in search engines whenever someone does a Google Search for a product or service they offer in that region. 

5 crucial strategies that you can use to improve your local search rankings

1. Claim Your Google My Business Profile 

Creating a Google My Business Profile is the most effective way to increase traffic to your business. It is a free tool offered by Google that businesses can use to showcase their business on Google Search and Maps.

Customers can view the images of your business, opening and closing hours, and discover about products, and services you offer. It is a way by which customers can learn about your business and establish trust in your business.

2. Posting on Google My Business 

You may also use your Google My Business Profile to post interesting and informative content.  These posts can include information about your company’s products and services and even include content similar to your business’s social media pages. 

Remember to include keywords in your posts as it will send Google a signal that your business is relevant to what users are searching for. 

3. Create location pages on your website 

If you have more than one physical location for your business, it is a good idea to have a unique location page for each brick-and-mortar location. 

Your location pages should have a unique description of your business, business address, business hours, images of the location, customer reviews, contact information, and Google Maps location of the business. Keep in mind not to have duplicate content on these pages. 

4. Website Internal Linking Structure 

Having a good internal linking structure will help boost your SEO traffic. There are several benefits of Interlinking your website pages. 

• Internal linking will help both users and bots in navigating your site.  
• It also helps in organizing website architecture and hierarchy.  

• Internal linking will assist in distributing page authority and ranking power among website pages. 

5. Mobile-Friendly Website 

Mobile searches account for 60% of all Google searches, and “near me” queries on search engines are rising year after year. 

Optimizing your website pages for mobile searches will help speed up your local SEO efforts as people are using their mobile devices to search for information about businesses around them. 

We understand that was a lot of information, but don’t be intimidated. As a digital marketing agency, we’re here to support you in any way we can, including taking care of your local SEO and increasing your organic traffic while you focus on running your business. Contact our team of experts and we will help you in boosting your marketing efforts.