Local SEO is a search engine optimization (SEO) method that makes your business more visible in Google’s local search results. Local SEO benefits any business that has a physical location or services a specific geographic region.
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO is the process of improving your internet presence to boost local traffic, exposure, and brand recognition.
Common local SEO duties include:
Optimizing your Google Business profile.
Identifying local keywords.
Creating locally relevant content.
Among others.
Local SEO may assist any firm with a physical presence or that services a specific geographic area.
This is an example of a local search result on Google:
Local SEO may help your business appear in Google searches for queries like these.
This article describes why local SEO is essential, how it works, and how to implement it.
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Why Is Local SEO Important?
The greatest strategy to promote your website in front of people in your neighbourhood is to utilize local SEO marketing.
More than 75% of customers in the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom use Google to find company information.
Making it the most popular search engine for local searches in those (and many more) countries. By lot.
Google Maps searches for “shopping near me” have increased by more than 100% per year.
Mobile searches for “stores open near me” have increased by more than 250% in the previous two years. The keywords “where to buy” and “near me” increased by over 200%. That’s hundreds of millions of searches every day.
How Local SEO Works
In addition to Google’s standard ranking considerations, its local search algorithms employ three major elements to determine the best match:
- Relevance refers to how well a Google Business Profile result matches a searcher’s query.
- Google uses distance to estimate a user’s proximity to a company while searching.
- Google ranks businesses based on their perceived importance to potential consumers.
Google then presents two sorts of local search results
The “local pack” results (Google Maps and Business Profiles) are displayed alongside the organic results. Organic results are the “normal” blue link search results that we are all accustomed to seeing on Google.
A local pack (or map pack) is a Google feature that displays the top local company listings with a map.
For example, when you search for “SEO freelancer near me,” Google returns a local pack at the top.
How to Do Local SEO
Now it’s time to devise a strategy to improve your local rankings and traffic. The instructions below will help you get started.
To follow along, register a free SEMrush account.
Do Local Keyword Research
Keyword Research for Local SEO is the practice of identifying keywords that consumers use to search for local products and services.
Ranking for these keywords provides highly focused local traffic to your website, bringing you more consumers.
To get started, create a brief list of keywords that clients could use to discover your local business.
Here are a few ways to get started.
Research your competitors
Observing what your rivals are doing is a simple method to begin generating ideas.
One of the best methods to accomplish this is to utilize Semrush’s Organic Research tool.
Enter a competitive website and click “Search.”
Check the local keyword volume metrics
You will also want to know how tough it is for your content to rank locally for the keywords you intend to target.
The Keyword Analysis tool’s local volume measurements feature will help you select important keywords to target in your content.
Enter your desired term in the search field at the top of the page, then click “Search.”
Once the tool has returned the keyword results, click the “Select location” drop-down bar.
You will receive both local and comparative national statistics. You can check how simple or tough it is to rank for your term in your specific area.
Use Google Autocomplete
Google autocomplete is a Google Search function that speeds up the completion of inquiries as you type.
Its goal is to help consumers save time by anticipating what they will look for.
And it can help you discover valuable long-tail keywords for local SEO.
This is because Google’s autocomplete recommendations are partially based on your location.
Utilize Google Keyword Planner
- Google’s Keyword Plannerallows you to find keywords for sponsored search campaigns.
- However, it is also useful for identifying fresh keywords relevant to your business.
- Begin by heading to the “Discover New Keywords” area.
- Select the “Start with a website” tab. Then, enter a competitor’s domain.
- Click “Get results,” and Google will offer a slew of keywords based on the terms found on that page.
Optimize your Google Business Profile
- A Google Business Profile(formerly Google My firm) is a free business listing that includes information about your firm.
- It allows you to share information such as your location, services, goods, and images.
- Then Google will include it in the local search results.
- Google considers optimizing your business profile to be one of the most critical local SEO jobs.
- That is, if you want to score well for local searches, you must first create a Google Business Profile.
- Here are some business profile tips:
- Establish specified business hours (including holidays).
- Choose several features to characterize your company (such as outside seating, Wi-Fi, etc.).
- Upload photographs and videos on a frequent basis (to increase interaction and rankings).
Encourage online reviews
Reviews and testimonials increase client trust.
They provide social evidence, authenticate your knowledge, and boost potential consumers’ trust in your company.
Consumers read evaluations on a daily basis and consider them vital.
Google also promotes replying to reviews to show that you value your consumers’ business and opinions.
To discover reviews to respond to, utilize a program such as Listing Management.
To begin, pick the “Review Management” option.
You will be able to read and respond to reviews directly from the tool.
To do so, type your remark into the space. Then, press the “Reply” button.
To sort by newest, oldest, highest, or lowest rating, use the drop-down menu at the top of the “Reviews” table.
Here are some other online review tips:
Verify your Business Profile (To react to a review, you must have a verified business).
Remind clients to post reviews. (You may create and distribute a link in Google Business Profile).
Do not give or accept money in return for reviews (it is against Google’s guidelines).
Local SEO Statistics
- 97% of people seek online to learn more about a local business or group.
- 35% of businesses claim that local SEO is crucial to them.
- Local business listings include erroneous information. Business owners say that 50% of the time
- On average, 28% of local searches lead to a purchase within 24 hours.
- 76% of customers visit a company within a day after searching for anything nearby.