If you’re a small-scale business owner or you’re intending to launch an office in your local area, you’ve likely heard the phrase “Local SEO” used. What is it exactly, and why is it so important for your company? If you’re trying to improve your presence within your own locality, gain more customers, and expand your company’s SEO, local is a must-have.
In this article, we’ll dissect Local SEO into easy-to-understand steps. When you’re done reading this post, you’ll have an excellent knowledge of the process and how you can utilize this to benefit your business.
Before we begin, let’s begin by using the following scenario. Picture running an establishment in Mumbai. You create the most amazing cupcakes, but your customers aren’t coming in the manner you’d want. Why? One reason is that people don’t even know the existence of your bakery. Today, potential customers are seeking similar businesses through Google as well as other engines. This is where Local SEO comes in to bring relief to the situation.
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO, also known as Local Search Engine Optimization, can be described as the method of optimizing your website’s presence to draw more businesses from local search results. Imagine it as an opportunity to make your business show up in search results when a nearby person is searching for products or services that you provide.
These are often location-based keywords such as “restaurants close to me” and “best baker in Mumbai.” If your business isn’t appearing in these search results, you’re missing out on a vast collection of local clients.
Local SEO is focused on factors such as Google My Business (GMB) listings, local backlinks, and reviews from customers, which can help you increase your visibility in local results. If done correctly, Local SEO could increase visitors to your shop as well as increase sales. It can also assist you in beating your competitors.
Why is Local SEO essential?
You might be thinking, “Why do I need Local SEO when I already have websites?” This is the reason: People are increasingly using search engines on the internet to locate local businesses.
Studies have shown that more than 46% of Google searches are for local information. If your website isn’t optimized for local searches, you may be missing out on many potential customers.
Let’s look at the bakery scenario. If someone is searching on Google for “best cupcakes in my area” and you’ve optimized your business’s SEO to be a part of Local SEO, there’s a possibility that your bakery will show up in the results.
If you don’t have Local SEO, it’s highly unlikely that a person in the vicinity will come across you, even if your bakery is right around the corner.
Key Features of Local SEO. To help your business grow in the local market, here are many important elements you should be aware of
Google My Business (GMB)
One of the most essential tools for local SEO is Google My Business. If you’re not using GMB, it’s time to sign up. The GMB profile is akin to your online business card, which shows in the results of searches that search for your business or other related services locally. This tool is free and lets you display your business’s name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and even customer reviews.
Local Keywords
Similar to general SEO, O keywords play a significant role in Local SEO, too. Instead of focusing on general keywords, you’ll have to concentrate on local-specific keywords.
For instance, if you’re an SEO company and you want to use “best marketing agency,” you should choose “best Digital Marketing Agency located in Mumbai.” The addition of a city to your keywords can help search engines link your company to local searches.
Online Reviews
Online reviews are essential in Local SEO. Positive reviews not only boost the local ranking of your website, but they can also help build trust with prospective customers. According to research, 88% of consumers believe in online reviews as strongly as personal recommendations.
Local Backlinks
Links (links that are from websites other than your own) are a vital component of SEO; however, they also play a major part in local SEO. The presence of backlinks from local sites or businesses helps Google consider your company as a reliable source within the local area.
Mobile Optimisation
A growing number of people are looking for companies on their smartphones, especially when traveling. Actually, “near me” searches have increased recently, and the majority of them are being done on mobile devices. To ensure that your company is found in these search results, ensure that your site is mobile-friendly.
Conclusion
Local SEO is vital for any company looking to increase the number of customers in their area. If you’re a baker or clothing shop, as well as a marketing company, optimizing your online presence for local searches can help you make a mark and attract more customers.
