Local SEO is a major factor to grow your business. You can optimize your business’s visibility in search results, attracting more customers to your business. In other words, there is a high chance that you’re missing out on opportunities to boost engagement and brand awareness if you don’t know how to use local SEO.
Therefore, this guide will walk you through the best local SEO strategies, including Google business profile optimization and AI in SEO.
What is local SEO?
Local SEO simply means a marketing strategy to optimize your business online to attract more customers. It involves several digital techniques to increase visibility through relevant local searches. To get people nearby to patronise your business through local SEO, you must be able to find relevant keywords, optimize your Google Business Profile, and create listings on other websites.
Why is local SEO important?
Local SEO is simply a digital marketing strategy to spread brand awareness to potential customers around your location. Unlike a standard SEO which targets a broad demography, local SEO targets a specific region.
For instance, you own a bakery business and you want to attract more customers through SEO. You may be tempted to include everyone as your target demographic, it is usually not a wise choice. However, using local SEO can help increase visibility to customers around you and drive more traffic.
Additionally, local SEO is a cost effective marketing strategy, compared to traditional marketing. Then again, appearing in local search engine results enhances your credibility among customers around your location.
Best local SEO strategies for your business
Local SEO keyword research
Finding the best keyword for your local SEO is one of the first steps to take in ensuring your business reaches the right customers. Keywords are terms or phrases that potential customers use to locate their preferred products and service providers. Here are the best practices for local keyword research:
- Google suggest: If you are struggling with an effective keyword for your business, all you have to do is type in a keyword that is related to your business. For instance, you can type in “bakery” for your bakery business. You will see options. However, the best is “bakery near me,” which can link you up to potential customers around your location.
- Local voice search: More people now prefer voice searches over typing. The trend is expected to continue and you should take advantage of that. Voice searches are more natural and flexible.
AI in SEO can significantly speed up the keyword research process. There are several AI tools to use, such as Semrush’s Keyword Magic Tool and ChatGPT.
Google business profile optimization
Google business profile optimization is one of the most important tools for local SEO. It is a free listing which allows you to provide essential information about your business, including your address, phone number, website and operating hours. Here are important steps for Google business profile optimization:
- Ensure your profile is complete with accurate and up-to-date information.
- Ensure your opening hours, holidays, and other basic business information are all accurate and up to date.
- Include high-quality images and videos of your business.
- Encourage customers to leave reviews, whether good or bad, and respond to them promptly.
- Update your profile with new posts, offers, and announcements regularly.
Consistent NAP citations
Your name, address and phone number (NAP) needs to be correct and consistent when optimizing your business through local SEO. NAP appears on business directories, websites, and social platforms and Google uses them to confirm that all the information you provided are legit.
The more Google sees the consistency in your citations, the higher your business algorithm ranks on the search engine. So, double check that your NAP citations are written the same wherever they show up on the search engine. Even a little change like using “street” in one avenue and “st.” in another can be a huge red flag for Google.
On-page SEO
On-page SEO refers to optimizing individual web pages to rank higher on search engines. For instance, you may have three different websites, but that does not mean you should use the same content in all of them. Google frowns at duplicating content, which can impact negatively on your algorithm.
Each web page should have its unique and optimized content. Here are best practices for optimizing on-page SEO:
- Use local SEO keywords in your titles, headings, and meta descriptions.
- Create a location, reflecting where you serve on your landing pages.
- Add a Google map, which includes your business location on your website’s contact page.
Build high-quality backlinks
To make a significant impact in local SEO for your business, you must be able connect with other businesses or websites. This is where backlines are effective. They are links from other websites that lead to your own website. Here are best local SEO practices with backlinks:
- Get featured in other sites from local businesses and organizations.
- Make guest posts for local blogs and websites.
- Use other SEO tools to find sites that link to other competitors.
- Try using AI-powered tools to identify potential high-quality link-building opportunities.
Advanced local SEO practices
- Use structured data markup like Schema.org on your website to help search engines understand your business better.
- Create and optimize a mobile-friendly website.
- Embed a Google Map on your About Page.
- Optimize meta descriptions for potential local customers.
- Write detailed prompts if you are considering using AI in SEO.
Conclusion
Improving your local SEO is the best way to promote your business and reach more customers around your locality. Focus on making effective keyword research, optimize your Google Business Profile, NAP should be consistent and correct, optimize your web page pages with unique content, and build high-quality backlinks to connect other websites to yours.
Do not forget the power of AI in SEO. AI is the future of SEO. So, try learning how to use AI tools like SEMrush and ChatGPT to grow your online presence. Remember, every business has its unique needs. What works for a business might not work for another. This is why it is important to understand your business and its target audience to build a solid local SEO and attract potential customers.