Any Google search you do will throw up a tonne of targeted information on your screen. However, as a small business owner in a local area, the importance of advanced local Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) can make all the difference for your business being found in local searches. These advanced local SEO tips can help you make that difference.
Before you invest more of your time on this page, you will want to know what's in it for you. First, I will lay out why local SEO is essential. Then, I will provide you with a simple local SEO strategy to implement in your business. You can also download the SERP Assault Checklist for Advanced Local SEO here.
Local SEO can make a difference and increase foot traffic to your location even if your company doesn't have a website. These leads originate from people who have specifically expressed an interest in your company's products or services; as a result, you can anticipate a high conversion rate from these leads.
Local SEO is a search engine optimization (SEO) strategy that helps your business be more visible in local search results on Google.
Any business that has a physical location or serves a geographic area can benefit from local SEO. Local search engine optimization (SEO) may help you grow your business. If you conduct a Google search for any important keywords associated with your service, find a map with three listings underneath it (also known as a map pack).
Search Google for any significant keywords related to your company and a map with three listings underneath it (also referred to as a map pack). In addition, local search engine optimization (SEO) may be able to assist you in expanding your company.
What is Local Search?
Local Search is the practice of search engine optimization targeted for local search results.
On Google, that means helping your business listing in the Local Pack/Map Pack rank higher and appear more often in response to a greater volume of relevant queries.
Think of the last time you were out in the world, searching for something you needed. Maybe it was an electrician..
Google’s mission is to deliver searchers the best answer for any query.
Additionally, those Map Pack results will be highlighted on the first page of the search results when its algorithms determine that your intent is local — that you are looking for something nearby.
Additionally, organic search results for establishments and services in your neighbourhood may supplement them.
Local results might be displayed by default over all organic content when you search for something like "emergency electrician Plymouth." This is because Google has detected that you have an immediate, local need.
A local search result's information, such as a business name, address, phone number, website, photos and videos, customer reviews and star ratings, and more, is more likely to satisfy that need than a simple blue link.
You could argue that any business that has search volume needs local SEO. To keep this simple, think of your own search patterns or needs. Then, when you are looking for a service, what do you do? If you're like >75% of people, you'll go ahead …
The following are the most likely candidates who get the most bang from adopting advanced local SEO strategies.
Customers frequently prioritize prompt appointments over brand loyalty when looking for home service contractors.
It matters less how they are helped than how quickly their problems can be solved. Therefore, local SEO is a valuable tool for any company that offers immediate assistance to clients, such as:
Local markets are where the majority of these businesses prosper. Additionally, they have unlimited access to educational content about solutions to common problems that are keyword-rich and can be posted on their websites to improve local search rankings.
On search engines like Google, reviews can also help with local rankings. But, unfortunately, persuading customers to write reviews for home service providers can be difficult. So when a customer searches for a local service provider, home service contractors go above and beyond to encourage customer feedback to stand out from the competition.
Medical service providers are excellent local SEO candidates, including:
Thanks to advanced local SEO, patients have frequently been referred to nearby medical and dental offices. There are many other strategies these experts can use to improve their rankings besides creating a fantastic website.
They can start by releasing valuable, educational content. Because medical services are so specialized, offering knowledge through how-to guides or blog posts is a fantastic way to add value and raise search rankings. Professionals can use local business directories like Yelp to verify and leverage their name, address, and contact information and produce valuable content.
When someone needs legal assistance, they search nearby for a qualified professional. For this reason, it's critical for lawyers, legal services, and bail bond agents to show up in local searches. In addition, law offices can take several actions to improve their local search rankings.
Making a Google Business Profile ought to be the first thing you do. Next, they must focus on local keyword optimization for their website.
Online reviews are another important factor. Third-party validation is essential for potential clients because of the stigma associated with the legal profession. As a result, lawyers must be proactive in figuring out how to get client reviews on well-known websites like Yelp and Google. Positive reviews can significantly improve local search visibility and establish a brand's reputation.
Pet-related services are highly specialized and frequently in demand in the community. Common search terms in this area include:
There is virtually no limit to the potential for high-value content, and reviews are also very important. Businesses with the most local reviews and content on hot topics tend to stand out.
Pet owners only want what is best for their animals. As a result, pet-related businesses must create an informative blog and website content and actively solicit reviews from their clients to improve their local search rankings.
Here's where things differ. Local SEO lets you capture local search territory and interact with local searchers: think plumbers in Plymouth or roofers in Exeter. That is in contrast to conventional SEO, which focuses on increasing the visibility of a site on a national or international level: think Amazon or Boots.
All successful businesses have a planned strategy on how to operate. A marketing strategy is essential to target your ideal customers in the right location and at the right stages of the buyers' cycle. At SERP Assault, we believe that an advanced local SEO strategy that works alongside the marketing plan will give your business the best return.
Local SEO is a crucial marketing tool for companies looking to draw potential customers, with 70% of consumers conducting local business searches online.
You need a plan for focusing on localized searches and users in your area, whether you operate a physical location or an online business that caters to a particular location. This is how you can dominate your competition, rank higher in Google search, and draw in more clients.
As a small business, ranking for keyword terms can be difficult. Given the competition from larger, more resourceful businesses targeting the same keywords, it can seem impossible to climb to the top of the search engine results pages (SERPs).
How are small businesses expected to rank highly on SERPs? Fortunately, there is more than a good chance with local SEO.
While some local SEO strategies take only a few minutes to implement, others require much more time. But each of the following pointers can help your neighborhood business greatly, both online and offline.
Consistency is key when it comes to local SEO. When you are listed in different directories, you should maintain consistency with your contact details. This helps maintain accurate branding while also improving your SEO. Name, address, and phone number, NAP, should always be included in your contact information.
It's very easy to get overwhelmed by all the information about SEO. Trust us, we know! The thing is, when you strip it all back, SEO is simple, and local is no different. What does change is the importance that Google places on a specific search term. The easiest way to find this out is to go ahead and do a search yourself.
A local SEO audit shows you how well or poorly your page is performing in local search results and suggests improvements you can make to your website to boost traffic and profits.
At SERP Assault, we always look at the quick wins first. If you have a website up and running, we offer a free website audit to our customers. The aim of the local SEO audit is to highlight what's wrong and how important it is that that problem is fixed.
All websites have problems. Some just don't matter and are not worth the time to fix in the grand scheme of things. Other things are very important and will affect how your website ranks in search engines.
I WANT A FREE LOCAL SEO AUDIT
Having covered everything that is worth knowing about advanced local SEO, this is the condensed list of where to focus your efforts in 2022. This doesn't have to be difficult. It just requires a system, time, and patience. If you factor each of these tips into your business for the next 6 months, just watch as your position in the local search soars!!
Your Google Business Profile can be claimed quickly and for no cost.
This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve the local search engine optimization of your website.
There are 2 techniques. In the first, you type in the company name and address and pick it out of the list of results.
The second approach involves finding your company on Google Maps or Google Search and selecting "Claim this Business."
You can connect with customers who are looking for you by using categories to describe your business.
Be specific when selecting a primary category that best describes your company as a whole.
For example, if you are a financial advisor, select "financial consultant" rather than just "financial planner." This makes sure that you will show up for that key term in your area and that you know how to optimize for that service.
The most popular search engine is Google, but Bing still has a small market share (approximately 7% of the global market, according to this source).
Create your Bing Places for Business profile to cover all the bases. Claim your company in other well-known online directories, like these:
It's crucial to get good reviews and engage with your audience by responding to customer feedback.
High-quality reviews, according to Google, benefit the client by enhancing the visibility of your company and raising the probability that a client will visit your location.
It is against their policies to ask for reviews in exchange for something else, so keep in mind this important caveat when following this advice on obtaining positive reviews.
Facebook is on this list because it is widely used as a search engine and is familiar to many users.
Make sure to at least set up a business page and keep it updated with your URL, opening times, and a description.
Although they may not have much of an effect, social signals do affect local SEO.
Keep your company name, address, and phone number the same across all platforms to enable Google searches to deliver accurate results.
Additionally, having a recognizable name, address, and phone number can make it simple for customers to contact your company.
It's crucial to pay close attention to this. When your company name appears as Barry's Plumbing Inc on one website and Barry The Plumber Incorporated on another, for instance, the slight variation in name and entity could lead to confusion.
Google prioritizes mobile sites over desktop sites when evaluating websites. Your efforts to become mobile responsive can be aided by this tool.
Here, it's crucial to publish content regularly. Establish a target for ongoing content and track your progress to ensure success.
Make sure your key phrase and location can be included naturally.
Write about neighborhood events, efforts to raise money for a nearby charity, information on subjects significant to the neighborhood, etc. Consider what is appropriate for your brand.
For example, don’t just optimize for “plumbing repairs.” Optimize for “plumbing repairs plymouth.”
When possible, incorporate location and keywords into your title and meta descriptions.
This works hand-in-hand with on-page positioning and keyword optimization but is significant enough to merit a separate mention.
You cannot optimize for your proximity to the searcher because it is what it is. It is a strong ranking signal, though, so it's important to claim your Google Business Profile in the area where your company is located and use a consistent name, address, and phone number.
If you didn't have the time to read this article, or you want a handy reference to go back to, feel free to download the SERP Assault local SEO checklist. It's available here in a handy pdf to work through at your own pace.
Leveraging some simple Local SEO practices and strategies can do wonders to promote your business within local Search.
Over 45% of Google searches are made by people looking for local information. These local searches are done by people looking for companies in their neighbourhood or in a particular service area.
Work consistently through our advanced local SEO checklist; plan to tackle one tip each week and systemise thee into your SOPs for the business. In 6-12 months, if you remain consistent, you will see a big difference in your proximity to the top of the local SERPs.
Sound too difficult?
Get in touch and see if SERP Assault can help you out with one of our advanced local SEO Services.
