8 Local SEO Tips to Improve Search Visibility

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Any businesses who want to stay relevant across search engines and the marketplace, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an important component across all over digital marketing strategy. And optimizing local SEO strategy to provide relevant search results to consumers from their location is an essential local SEO ranking factor.

Due to the rise of mobile, the importance of local SEO strategy, local listing management, and map optimization have increased tremendously. According to research up to 70% web traffic comes from a mobile device. There’s no denying it; users are turning to their Smartphone to find local businesses, meaning that it’s more important than ever for your business to show up in the local search results.

Endeavoring to appear for broad searches with your industry places you in a lot bigger pool of competition including huge brands and high authority foundations. Focusing searches specific to your location will not expand your chances of showing up, yet in addition, showing up for the people destined to visit and engage with your site.

What Is Local SEO?

Local SEO is an effective strategy to get your business in local SERPs. It includes optimizing your website to make it more visible in the search engine result page (SERPs) for local search queries. Local search offers the most relevant results to users, which are calculated according to location data.

Let’s suppose you are looking for a flower shop, you’re going to find a flower shop near me or flower shop in [location], right? For these types of a search query, the search engine understands what the searchers want and based on that offers search engine results pages (SERPs). This difference in the search result is precise why local SEO strategies are important.

For any local search, you may see 3 block search result in Google SERPs.

This is generally known as ‘local pack’ or ‘3-pack’. For any local intent Google search, these types of three business listing block display below the map. It is quite different from standard organic results such as opening & closing times, reviews and photos.

Everything that’s displayed in the local pack comes from the business’ Google My Business profile, a critical part of Local SEO strategy that’s becoming more important as Google tries to satisfy more search queries directly in the SERPs.

Local competition is heating up, and if you are not on top of your rankings yet, you had better take note of these local SEO tips which can help your business to rank higher for your local keywords.

Let’s check out local SEO tips!

Optimize Google My Business Listing

Google own is the largest existing search engine. Google My Business gives huge local visibility for your site. In order to get your listing, there is a process which you must through it, but it is well worth it. The verification process is for Google to affirm that your business is authentic and that you are the business owner.

Google my business helps you to create your business profile, which can help more people to look for your business. You can get incredible exposure if you have optimized your Google my business listing to show up in Google’s local listings.

Your Google my business carry every important detail of your business like address, contact number, map direction, business hours and images. Even you can share a post on your Google my business profile.

Many of your local competitors have Google my business profile, but there are also many of them who do not utilize it properly. There Google my business profile missing some of the information which users are looking for.

Also, make use of the virtual tour option to attract more people. Its make the first impression good, by giving them an inside look.

Build NAP Effectively

NAP stands for Name, Address, Phone number. You may also hear about new terms like NAPU(Name, Address, Phone Number, URL) or NAPU(Name, Address, Phone Number, Website)

In order for search engines to provide your business in SERPs, your business NAP should be consistent everywhere. Accurate NAP is weighed heavily in Google’s algorithm, so make sure NAP is accurate on online.

Not all of the people use Google for any local business searches, many of them use local directories for business searches.

Even many directories are very well on the local term and you can get the relevant link for your site by creating a listing in them.

Make sure NAP is consistent in business directories, industry-specific directories and also on social media profiles, so search engines aren’t confused about your NAP.

Manage Reviews & Ratings

Google takes business reviews quite seriously because people are looking for personalized information to check what business offers will actually benefit them or not.

The researcher’s state that 80% of users read an online review before getting services from any business. The more client reviews you have (in a perfect world, positive review), the more your business is visible in local listing and feeds.

Facebook page and Google my business page are the two-place which should you focus more. Whether you get a positive or negative review, be sure you have responded to it because it reflects that you care about customer’s feedback.

Embedded Maps

Embedding your Google map location on your site is purely local SEO purposes. It is the most unique SEO strategy, which will significantly help local SEO ranking.

Adding a map on your site will not only give your customers a visual idea of your business, but it provides Google to take clues from it and make your site more likely to rank high in SERPs.

Local Link Building

Link building is an important pillar of SEO and local SEO strategy also carry them within it. Backlinks from high domain authority sites are always more valuable.

Here are some ways to get local links:

1. Press release in local newspapers
2. Conduct interview with local publications, radio, etc.
3. Find & do listing in local directories
4. Contact local businesses for sponsorships & later ask for the link
5. Guest posting for local websites

Optimize Keyword & Content Effectively

Make sure you add relevant location-based keywords in your website title, content and in GMB business.

You are utilizing keywords of your industry on your website but don’t forget to optimize particular location keywords.

Location-related keywords should be placed or optimized in Titles, Headers, Content, Meta Description and Alt Text of Images to increase local visibility.

Mobile Optimization

Mobile users have been increasing day by day and it has exceeded the number of desktop users. According to Google’s algorithm, fast-loading mobile sites are ranking higher than slower websites.

People consider local businesses or services while they are on the go using a mobile device. If users have to wait for 6 to 10 seconds for a page load then the majority of them click off to the page.

In order to give, desire user experience check your website is mobile optimized or not using Google’s free Mobile-Friendly Test.

Improve Internal Linking Structure

Most local businesses have the poor site design, regularly with significant pages just being connected to from the main navigation or footer.

Include internal links were important from inside your pages’ content, including blog posts, informative pages, and service pages. You can observe lifts in ranking after improving the internal linking structure.

Conclusion

A better understanding of Google’s guidelines and best practices is required to perform well in local SEO. But by following these local SEO tips, your business will surely come up into local search pack and in higher organic results. So get started and Happy Optimizing!