Many small businesses thrive all thanks to local search since a big percentage [1] of Google searches are concerned with local information. Therefore, if you haven’t optimized your business for local search, you may be missing out on a big percentage of potential customers looking for the goods or services you are offering in your area.
Why Focus on Local SEO?
Local SEO is vital for anyone who wants their business to stay relevant. Since potential customers are searching for the best products and services within their locality, you need to ensure that your business shows up fast on search engines. Doing so ensures that these customers pick your business out of all the other businesses offering the same things within the area.
Local SEO requires a more targeted and strategic approach that is different from general search engine optimization.
How Does Google Determine Local Business Rankings?
Many factors determine Google’s local business search results. The three major categories Google uses include:
Proximity
Proximity is where Google considers your business location while searching. You can check it at the bottom of the search page and look for the listed Zip Code.
When you access Google from your phone, the local algorithm gets more explicit information regarding your coordinates. The blue dot you see on your Google Maps shows exactly where your signal is originating.
Google uses a searcher’s location when matching valuable search results with their search. It considers how close the search point is to the customer. If your area has more competition, the coordinates get a more decisive role in local search rankings. Since many businesses are closely packed, Google is tasked with prioritizing one above the other.
Relevance
Relevance demonstrates how the result is related to the keywords or terms people use when searching. Google may get hints from on-page SEO, website content, and customer reviews. The algorithm relies more on how a webpage fulfills customers’ interests and needs and gives them valuable goods and services information.
Also, relevance can mean how well your business profile matches what a customer is looking for. Always include complete and detailed information regarding your business to help Google have a better understanding of your business and match your profile to all relevant searches.
Prominence
How popular is your business? Google uses these criteria to measure the popularity of any business.
- Backlinks
- Website authority
- Activity on Google my business
- Mentions
Local SEO tries to effectively signal the algorithm to help develop trust and earn the spot of authoritative choice for searchers.
Here [2] is a guide to SEO content for local businesses to help them get ranked.
Get Your Business on Google My Business
Getting your business listed on Google My Business can help with ranking. When doing so, ensure that your business profile is complete and be specific when categorizing your business. also, don’t forget to upload images that let your potential customers know what your business products and services are.
Name, Address, Phone (NAP) Listings & Citations
Consistent NAP can help a local business can help with a high ranking score. Google is constantly striving to ensure that it always delivers accurate results to any searches targeting local businesses. So, if your business has numerous consistent mentions of its address, name, and phone number, it is more likely to rank higher than those with one or a few mentions or a store with an old address that is scattered across various listing websites.
If you are not sure which industry-specific review websites to advertise your business to, you can run a few Google searches for the right keywords. Target those listing sites that appear on the first page of the search results. You can use local citation tools to ensure NAP consistency.
Use the Right Keywords
Getting your business listed in search engine organic listings is a wise move. While it may not send you as much traffic as when your business is listed in the map pack, it is also a great starting point. To optimize your local business and local listing, you need to use the right keywords.
With the numerous ways to do keyword research and optimization for local businesses, you will never run out of options. To do so, you can follow these simple steps, including:
- Input the top keywords you wish to rank for in a spreadsheet
- Open Google and begin typing these keywords one at a time, and collect suggestions or ideas from the dropdown as you type. Record any standout keywords in your spreadsheet.
- Use keyword generation tools. Click the “Discover New Keywords” button and toggle over the “Start with a website” option. You will get a lot of wonderful keyword ideas.
Get Business Reviews
Another great way to get ranked is by getting your customers to leave and share great reviews about your business. online mentions play a big role in influencing Google’s local algorithms. Search engines go through the number of reviews a company has on Google and, depending on the size, prioritize businesses over oitsrs.
Always encourage your customers to leave reviews by:
- Emailing them the review request forms
- Use social media to get feedback
- Replying to all comments, including the negative ones
- Ask your customers to always leave reviews after any purchase
Reviews will not only help in optimizing your profile but also encourage more local buyers to purchase your products and services. Reviews are social proof for potential customers who are hesitant to buy. It helps customers make conclusive and confident decisions.
Are You Trying to Get Your Business Ranked Locally?
Is your business struggling to get ranked locally? We know how frustrating that can get since it means that you get little traffic, both online and offline. However, you need to have your business ranked high to enjoy more sales and revenue. At Panda Online Marketing, we can help you with that.
We are a digital marketing agency that helps businesses with local SEO, website design, and Google Ads services. We will handle all your SEO needs to ensure that your local business gets ranked high on search engines. Get in touch with us today, and let’s start your business success journey together.
