8 Ways to Improve Your Local SEO
Did you know that almost one-third of mobile searches are location-based queries, such as “businesses near me?” Plus, Google tends to always prioritize search results based on your location. These two factors combined should be enough to tell you just how essential local SEO is for businesses, especially if you operate on a regional level. After all, local SEO is all about appearing higher on search engine result pages (SERPs) in a specific location.
Optimizing your local SEO will help you generate more organic traffic, leads, and conversions. It will enable you to successfully reach out to your target market and effectively compete against larger brands.
So, let’s explore eight ways to boost your local SEO!
8 Tips to Improve Local SEO
1. Update Your Google My Business Listing
If you want to improve local SEO and gain visibility on local Google search results, you will have to optimize your Google listing. It will also help you rank higher on Google Maps. Create a Google My Business account associated with your business profile and verify the ownership of your business.
Provide accurate, up-to-date information in your Google My Business account dashboard so that Google adds it to your Business Profile. This information will appear in Google Search local results and Google Maps. Don’t forget to include your hours of operation, logo, payment methods, services and products, and lots of high-quality images.
Encourage your customers to review your business and respond honestly and sincerely to all reviews. Additionally, publish special posts, such as product launches, events, and promotional offers, to your Business Profile.
2. Encourage Happy Customers to Post Reviews
Ask satisfied customers to write glowing reviews about your business. It will encourage potential local customers to buy from you and optimize your Google My Business listing as well. So, ask customers to review your business online in person or send them a post-purchase email or text. However, make sure to do this after screening customers to ensure that they were satisfied with your service. As for any negative reviews, respond to them right away and address the reviewer’s concerns professionally.
3. Create Content Based on Local Events
If you want to reach and appear relevant to your local target audience, churn out authoritative, SEO-friendly content that speaks directly to them. Write blog posts centered on local activities, events, or news stories. Set up location-specific webpages with high-quality local content to serve different segments of your target audience. Create videos on local causes and charities that you support.
4. Take Advantage of Online Business Directories
If you want to improve local SEO, focus on providing your business’s information on online business directories, such as Foursquare, Yelp, MapQuest, and YellowPages. Add your business name, phone number, and address to these directories. Also, add a comprehensive yet easy-to-understand description of your business and a backlink to your website.
5. Research Local Keywords
Always make sure to use keywords that are relevant to your local audience. Use Google’s Keyword Planner to filter keyword searches based on location. It will enable you to create a list of highly relevant local keywords that you can target via your website content and URLs.
6. Generate High-Quality Backlinks
If you’re still wondering how to improve local SEO, focus on generating high-quality backlinks to your site. To do that, you will need to create top-notch content so that other websites feel compelled to link to your content. You can also guest blog on reputable websites to link back to your website.
7. Optimize Your Website for Mobile
Make sure that your website is mobile-friendly to boost your local SEO. Improve its load speed, use easy-to-read fonts, use high-quality images, and intuitive UI.
8. Optimize Your Content for Voice Search
More and more potential customers are using voice search. Essentially, people use long-tail, conversational keywords when performing voice searches. It’s why you must use such long-tail keywords in your content.
Use the aforementioned tips to stay on top of your local SEO. If you want help to reach your local target audience, get in touch with Marketing Tiki! We offer comprehensive SEO services, including local SEO, to help you expand your business reach.
