The significant rise in mobile search has forced businesses to adapt their marketing strategies to cater for consumers who make decisions based on the use of their phones. Ranking high on search engine results pages greatly improves chances of attracting new leads and making a sale.
A good local SEO strategy is therefore, a great means of attracting customers to your store because 64% of local customers use search engines and directories as their main way to find local business.
Here is a quick run through 5 local SEO tips to help you rank high on search engine results and stay ahead of competitors.
- Claim and Optimize your Google My Business Profile
Starting on Google My Business is a simple process, you are required to create an account and claim your business. To prove that you are the owner of the business listed on the address, you will be required to fill in your business details so that you get a post-card from Google on the address you specified.
You should include the name of a city or town where your business is located and be sure to also add the physical address. Ensure the name and address of your business are correct and that your listing is looking professional and appealing by including the company logo.
One great thing about Google My Business is that provides regular insights and analytics on subscribers, clicks and impressions that are being generated by your listing.
- Get Some Reviews
Good online reviews from customers are a great way of ensuring that your business ranks higher on search engine results. Encourage your satisfied customers to leave a Google review about your business as a way of appreciating a positive experience. Reviews have been proven to be the most important effective local ranking tactic.
Remember that many customers consult online reviews to evaluate products before making purchasing decisions and great reviews will work as social proof that your product or service is a credible one.
- Local Media Coverage
Engage local journalists and media outlets to continuously report on new and developing stories about your business because coverage creates links which help to improve your local SEO. The quantity and quality of links directed to your website have an increasingly impactful effect on its local search engine rankings.
Local coverage from major newspapers, TV stations and trade publications will not only add value to your business and improve its image, but it will also improve the search rankings of your business since most media outlets are indexed higher on Google.
- Build Hyper-Localized Content
If you are a multi-local brand, look into developing hyper-localised content for your specific audiences, instead of providing homogenous content for all locations.
Creating content that connects with local audiences may involve enlisting local creatives to write on your website or blog, partnering with local influencers who can provide a great way of connecting with the local audience and getting user generated content from social media sites like Instagram and Twitter.
- Optimise Title and Meta Tags with Local Terms
Targeting local customers by including the name and location of your business within the title and meta description tags will have a significantly positive impact on your local SEO. Make sure the content in your tags is unique, specific and descriptive in order for it to have more impact.
To reach local customers, be sure to include the name of the city your business operates in or the areas your business serves. Use one targeted keyword and place it as close as possible to the beginning of a tag and include characters that are likely to convince visitors to click through.
Do you require further information or help on local SEO and web development?
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