Local SEO Strategy to Kick-start Your Local Business

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Search engine optimization is not what it was in the early 2010s, a lot has been changed. Therefore, local SEO best practices are continuously changing to keep up with new features which search engine add to how they display SERPs for local searches.

In today’s era, phone books are basically extinct. So, if your business has a physical location, you should also found on local search results to attract consumers. Having 91% of customers searching on the internet to find any local business, unique local SEO marketing will impact your ranking to increase your sales.

To maintain relevancy in local search, businesses need to target local pack results. For that, a focused and optimized local SEO strategy is required. 

There are many reasons out there about why businesses should be optimized to reach only local customers. And really, it makes sense if your business is “local”.

According to Google data, over three-quarters of people who search for something nearby visit the business within a day. And around 30% of those visitors end up buying something.

For businesses who are interested in top ranking and more relevant on searches, have to work on smart local SEO marketing. This requires a combination of local SEO content and updated business listing on across local business directories. Because as a local business, any customers can be able to find you directly or indirectly.   

If you haven’t started a local SEO strategy, start working it over here. And work on the local SEO content part in as you go. For those who have been making a local search priority, consider these local SEO tips.

3 Main Things to Approach Local SEO Strategy

Optimize On-site Local SEO Strategy

Let’s started from the initial steps:

Optimize Local Keywords

Use the Google keyword planner tool to identify relevant local keywords as per your niche using the location filter. You will get the most popular and targeted keywords that you should focus on.

Check the competitiveness of keywords before using them. Also, examine your competitors’ keywords and get targeted them in your potential local SEO keyword list.  

Content Optimization

Never over-use keywords. Add local keywords in your content in such a way that it seems to fit in naturally. Keyword stuffing might take your website content spammy and down the ranks of keywords.

Don’t forget to add keywords in header tags and in meta tags as it is a crucial part of SEO.

Image Optimization

A local SEO strategy is not limited to text. With the blended nature of search results, you may also find images of the SERPs. Therefore, It’s important to optimize your images too.

Make sure the images you use are SEO friendly. There are billions of images over the web. Don’t use file names like “image123.jpg”. Instead of that, use something descriptive to make it easier for images. 

Search engines cannot read images. Use alt tags to describe your images. Write a relevant description with appropriate keywords. 

URL Optimization

Make short URLs including keywords. Target the local keywords in your different services and product pages. Keep URL SEO Structure Search Engine Friendly  

Give Each Product/Service Its Own Distinct Page

If you have different products or services pages, make sure each one has its own relevant page. These distinct pages can be linked from a single page that summarizes all the products or services.

Optimize Off-site Local SEO Strategy

Claim Google My Business

A large element to boost your local SEO ranking is Google My Business. Claim your Google My Business for each location and fill it out with accuracy.

Write around 300 words description including your business name and relevant local keywords. Update your address, contact information, images, business hours and other relevant information. You can also add categories to your business profile to index properly.

Build Citations

Getting citations for global and local directories is vital for local SEO. It will bring authority and reputation for your website. Therefore it will generate more traffic for your sites.   

When you create citations to make sure your citations are consistent everywhere. Complete local listing and directories such as Yelp, BBB, Yellow Pages and much more. Also remember, to remove the duplicate listing if there is any.

If possible add quality content with local keywords to direct your customers. The larger the sites you will list on, the more search engine visibility you will gain.

Link Building

High-quality backlinks from authorized websites can give a boost to your ranking. Links from local search sites to location pages of your site are good for local SEO.

Produce great content and a positive reputation to earn quality backlinks from major websites. You can comment on and guest posts on local blogs for trusted backlinks. As well as, you can offer testimonials for local businesses but keep in mind that don’t be spammy.

Encourage User Reviews

Reach out to your customers and encourage them to give a review for your business. Google sees reviews as one of the main factors of SEO.

88% of customers check the local reviews before choosing a local company for any products & services. However never post any fake reviews because you will lose the trust of customers and also get penalized.

Engage In Social Media

Social media have a great impact on your presence in SERPs. 70% of customers choose a local business that has an excellent presence of social media.

Social signals play a vital role in page rank and increase customer engagement. Promote your business on social media with various discounts, promotions, and giveaways. This can you attract people to your product and services.

A Technical Local SEO Strategy

Mobile Optimization

Mobile searches are tremendously increasing then desktop searches. Therefore, proper configuration, mobile optimization, responsive design is crucial for mobile users.

Over 70% of smartphone users contact a business after reaching their local information. Hence, optimize your mobile site to promote local search. 

Make sure your site loads quickly. Use bigger fonts that are easy to use. Use optimized images and an embedded Google map.

Google Maps

Visibility on Google maps should be a priority in your local SEO strategy. You can simplify this by including your business location Google map on the contact page of your website.

With rising of voice search people ask for “directions to” locations. Make sure your business is easily findable.

Schema

Don’t forget to add the latest evolutions in the local SEO strategy called schema markup. Utilize schema markup and structured data to rank highly in local pages.

Once you understand the concept and method of schema markup, you can boost your local SERPs.

Conclusion

You never know when Google will introduce new SERPs features for local searches. But you can make a count on the changes. Implement this local SEO strategy for your business and take advantage of lucrative local searches.