About Local SEO
Local SEO means optimizing your business online so that local consumers will find you in search results and then contact you to do business with you.
Many people confuse local SEO with just optimizing their business’ website, but the fact of the matter is that without other tactics, this isn’t enough to drive the local traffic you need to make your business successful.
Below, we’ll look at each aspect of local search engine optimization (SEO) in detail, so that you can choose which strategies will work best for your business and implement them correctly and as quickly as possible.
What Is Local Search Engine Optimization?
Local search marketing SEO is the process of optimizing your business for local search. This includes optimizing your website, online listings, and social media profiles for local search.
Local search optimization SEO basics include making sure your NAP (name, address, and phone number) is accurate and consistent across the web, claiming and verifying your business listings, and optimizing your website and social media profiles for local keywords.
By using these Local SEO tips, you can increase the chances that local customers will find your business when they look for businesses like yours.
Why Is Google Local SEO Important?
Local SEO is important because it allows businesses to be found by people who are searching for products or services in their local area. It is the process of optimizing your website and online presence to rank higher in local search results.
Local SEO search basics include location-based keywords, citation management, and social media optimization. A business should use keywords that are specific to its geographical location, like Baltimore plumbing company. These words will not only help them show up in local searches but also help improve the ranking of their Google Adwords campaign.
Citation management involves acquiring links from other websites that have a high page rank. A business can improve its social media profile by joining networking sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook that have a high number of members in the local area they serve.
A Quick History Of Google’s Index
In the early days of Google, their index was limited to the desktop web. This meant that if you wanted your business to show up in search results, you needed to have a website.
In 2009, Google released an index specifically for mobile devices, which allowed businesses without websites to show up in search results as long as they had a listing in Google Places (now called Google My Business).
In 2015, Google made a major update to their indexing system, giving mobile-friendly websites preference in search results regardless of whether or not the business had a listing in Google My Business.
This was a major game-changer for businesses without websites, and it put even more emphasis on the importance of having a mobile-friendly website.
Where Should I Start My Business Website?
The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, but most importantly, it depends on your business goals.
If you’re primarily focused on local SEO work, then it’s important to start your website with a focus on your local market. This means including things like your city and state in your website title and domain name, as well as adding location pages and local content throughout your site.
But even if you’re not specifically targeting local customers, starting your website with a focus on your target market is always a good idea.
This way, you can make sure that your site is optimized for the keywords and search terms that are most relevant to your business.
How Can I Improve My Website’s User Experience?
- One way to improve your website’s user experience is by optimizing your site for local search.
- This means making sure your site appears as high as possible in search results when people search for businesses like yours in their local area.
- Local SEO work can be time-consuming, but it’s worth it if you want to attract more local customers.
- Plus, there are some basic things you can do to get started, like making sure your business is listed on Google My Business and other online directories.
- You can also make sure your website is mobile-friendly and that your content is relevant and useful to your target audience.
What Are Rich Snippets & How Do They Affect Me?
Local SEO work is the process of optimizing your online presence to attract more business from local searches. It’s a combination of optimizing your website, creating local listings, and building citations.
Local SEO basics start with your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number), which must be consistent across all platforms. Then you’ll want to create local listings on directories like Google My Business, Yelp, and Foursquare.
Finally, you’ll want to build citations by creating profiles on local directories and other websites. Rich snippets are a type of structured data that can be added to your website to give search engines more information about your business. This can include your NAP, hours of operation, customer reviews, and more.
Location
No matter what business you’re in, your success depends on being visible to potential customers in your area. That’s why local SEO is so important. optimizing your website and online presence for local search can help you attract more customers and grow your business.
From using the right keywords to making sure Google Maps has the most up-to-date information about your location, this guide will give you everything you need to make sure your site is found by people looking for businesses like yours.
It’s never been easier to get started with a new business. It’s even easier if you know how best to position yourself as a candidate of choice in the eyes of prospective customers that are already looking for what you have to offer.
You might be thinking I’m just one small fish in a big pond. You couldn’t be more wrong! As long as there are people searching online, they’ll find your business.
What is Schema Markup & How Can I Use It?
Schema markup is code (semantic vocabulary) that you can add to your website to help search engines better understand your site’s content. By adding schema markup, you can improve your chances of appearing in relevant search results and get more traffic to your site. Plus, it’s easy to do! Here’s how:
- Choose the right schema type for your business.
- Add schema code to your website.
- Test your code with Google’s Structured Data Testing Tool.
- Use keyword-rich titles and descriptions.
- Optimize your images with alt text.
- Make sure your NAP is consistent across the web.
- Monitor your results and make changes as needed
Attracting New Customers With Local Listings On Google Maps
Are you a local business looking to attract new customers? If so, then you need to optimize your business for local search. Fortunately, we’ve put together a complete guide to help you do just that.
To start, you’ll need to create or claim your Google My Business listing.
This is what will show up on Google Maps when someone searches for your business. Once you’ve done that, be sure to fill out all of the pertinent information about your business, including hours, address, and phone number.
Next, make sure that your website is set up for local searches. This means adding your city and state to your titles and tags, as well as creating content that is relevant to your location.
Working With Your Competition On Google My Business – A Case Study
In any given market, there are always going to be businesses that compete with one another for customers.
And when it comes to local SEO, those businesses are often fighting for the same top spot in Google’s local search results. In this post, we’re going to take a look at how one business was able to work with its competition on Google My Business (GMB) and improve its ranking in local search results.
In a recent case study, Digital Citizen helped a small pizzeria in Philadelphia identify its competitors on GMB. Once they had identified these other businesses, they were able to work with them to create an agreement that would benefit both of them by increasing their visibility and chances of success.
They got two competing pizza restaurants near each other to sign an agreement where they would share information about themselves on GMB like hours of operation, menu options, address, phone number, etc., but only one listing would show up per category in GMB’s directory.
With both listings combined into one shared listing per category (e.g., Pizza), both restaurants were now appearing higher up in search results than before.
Customizing Your Website’s Design Based On Location
Location-based web design is a must for businesses trying to optimize their site for local search. By customizing your website’s design based on location, you can ensure that your site is relevant to users in your area and improve your chances of ranking in local search results. Here’s what to do first:
- Research your target market.
- Identify local keywords and phrases.
- Optimize your website’s title and meta tags.
- Create location-specific pages and content.
- Add location-based structured data markup to your website.
- Promote your business on local directories and listings sites.
