Local SEO is crucial in small businesses ranking factor on Google in 2024. The better your local SEO strategy, the better you will rank and, in return, allow for more potential customers to learn about your business and ultimately become a client or customer. Local SEO is essential in keeping any business relevant in 2024.
Although Local SEO generally has less competition, many factors are involved in successfully doing it. Our guide explains the best local SEO techniques for successfully optimizing your business and gaining new clients by ranking higher in the search engines. This post will provide the answers to gaining traction in local search ranking.
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO is a strategy and technique used by small businesses to get their business and brand listed high in the local search rankings on Google. Companies with a physical location or a targeted location can benefit from using local SEO tips and techniques.
Why is Local SEO Important?
Local SEO is essential for local businesses. Local businesses that understand how to optimize their SEO efforts on their website, Google My Business Page, and gain exposure on online business directories will receive search intent-driven traffic that is looking for a solution to their problem. If you are the first few business listings to appear in the search results, you have an excellent opportunity to land more leads and turn them into paying customers.
Local businesses can benefit significantly once they have achieved proper local SEO. Local SEO alone can potentially drive new business day after day.
Let's dive into some tips on achieving local SEO for your business to start thriving on Google.
9 Local SEO Tips To Boost Your Visibility On Google Local Search
Tip 1: Google My Business
Local businesses need to start their SEO journey by claiming and optimizing their Google My Business listing (GMB). This could be the most critical task your business focuses on initially. This is due to your GMB acting as your hub for all of your business information, from products/services offered to hours of operation to allow online orders.
To claim your (GMB), you will need to visit https://www.google.com/business/. Google does a great job of leading you through the process of claiming your GMB. You will want to ensure that you have all of your company information available before claiming. Some of the information you will want to have on hand would be:
- Company Name
- Address
- Phone Number
- Hours of Operation
- A link to your products/services
- A link to your menu
- A link to your website homepage
- Photos of your location, staff, services, and products
- An optimized business description
Some freelancers are willing to help you claim and optimize your GMB if you don't feel comfortable doing it alone. A great place to find someone to assist with this task is over on the platform Legiit.com
Tip 2: Create a Mobile-Friendly Website
One of the most important things local businesses can do is make their website mobile-friendly. The percentage of people who use 'near me' searches on a mobile device is staggering. If your business website isn't mobile-friendly, you could lose out on many businesses.
Tip 3: Consistent NAP/Citations
NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone Number. Local businesses need to ensure that their name, address, and phone number are consistent across multiple platforms. These platforms could include GMB, Facebook Pages, and Yelp. Anywhere you plan to have your NAP business information, you want to make sure it is written identically. Google loves a consistent NAP, so be sure to follow this tip!
Tip 4: Local Link Building
All types of SEO benefit from link building. Local SEO is no different. With that said, it is essential to realize that local SEO should use local link-building strategies. The more local links you can acquire from other businesses targeting the exact location, the better.
Partnerships and guest postings are wonderful ideas for gaining local backlinks to your business listing.
Tip 5: Keyword Optimization On Your Business Website
You want to ensure that your page is optimized for local long-tail keywords people are searching. For example, if you own a pizza parlor in Scottsdale, AZ. You might want to rank for keywords such as "best pepperoni pizza in Scottsdale." These keywords will trigger you to appear in the search results. Some of the best places to incorporate your keyword would include:
- Header Tags
- Title Tag
- Meta description
- Body Text
If this seems like a foreign language, you can hire freelancers specializing in local on-page search engine optimization. Some of the best freelancers for local SEO can once again be found on the freelancer platform Legiit.com.
Tip 6: Customer Reviews
A vital component of local SEO is authentic customer reviews. Reviews may not directly impact your business's rankings, but they often affect whether a potential client chooses your business or not. 80% of people are noted to determine their purchasing based on online reviews. Plan on acquiring reviews for Facebook, Yelp, Thumbtack, and other websites where customers can leave business reviews on their public listings.
Some business owners are hesitant to be seen where reviews are accepted. Don't be! People expect to see positive and negative reviews. If there is nothing but 5-star reviews, people often become skeptical about the review's authenticity. If you happen to get a negative review, don't sweat it. What you can do is make sure you address it publicly. People want to see what you plan to do to remedy the situation or how you can do better in the future. Showing engagement shows that you care about the customer's experience, which can go a long way when acquiring new customers for your business.
Tip 7: Local Directories
It's essential to be visible on as many local directories as possible. This can seem like an overwhelming task for small business owners, but it doesn't have to be. A quick Google search for 'best local business directories will display all of the best places to claim a free local business profile. Some of the most common ones would include directories like the following:
- Facebook Page
- Yelp
- Bing
- Apple Maps
- GMB
- LinkedIn Company Directory
- Instagram For Business
- Thumbtack
- Super Pages
- and many more
Remember, when creating a local business listing, follow the criteria of always making your (NAP) consistent across all platforms. A clickable link to your main website, an optimized business description, and some multimedia pictures or videos of your business location, staff and products or services. That is all you need for these directories!
Tip 8: Create Local Content
Local content on your website is a great way to relate to your potential clients and customers. With Google continuing to get more intelligent and wiser, content writing is genuinely about writing for the end-user, not just search engines. Writing about local events and gatherings relatable to your business builds community connection.
Local news and events can dramatically affect your local community in helping grow your brand and local business. Don't be afraid to speak of other local companies doing an excellent job for the community. This is a great way to build possible relationships and gain more authoritative local backlinks that can, in return, help your business grow in organic search results.
Tip 9: Make Use of Local SEO Tools
Small businesses must know that local SEO tools are available on the market to assist in their local SEO efforts. Some of the most popular tools include but are not limited to:
- MOZ Local
- Ahrefs
- BrightLocal
- BuzzStream
- Screaming Frog
- WhiteSpark Local Citation Finder
All of these tools can assist in different ways for local SEO. It is essential to do your homework and decide if these tools are needed, if you can perform these tasks manually or even hire a freelancer specializing in local SEO.
Most Important Local SEO Factors in 2024
GMB Signals
As discussed earlier in this post, Google my business listing is the first crucial part of your local SEO efforts. The search algorithm uses GMB signals such as proximity, categories, updated content, and contact information to analyze and decide where to place your business listing in the local Google search engines.
On-Page Signals
Some of the various on-page factors to consider are using appropriate local keyword terms throughout your content. Relevant keywords are significant in Google's determination of where your website should be ranked in local search.
(NAP) Name, address, and phone number is another important ranking factor in proper on-page optimization. Be sure your business name, address, and phone number are consistent and located on your pages for easy viewing for your potential customers and clients.
Lastly, it is vital to have your website be as mobile-friendly as possible. Having your local business website accessible and fast on mobile devices will help your SERP rankings and provide the ultimate end-user experience.
Reviews
Positive online reviews across different local directories don't play a huge role in ranking factors. Still, it does serve the purpose of building know, like, and trust with your potential customers. It is known that most people will read reviews before purchasing or visiting your location. The more positive reviews you can rack up for your business, the better.
Pro Note: If you get a negative review, address it openly and honestly online. People like to know that issues are being addressed and that businesses are taking feedback seriously from previous customers.
Building A Solid Local Backlink Profile
Most local business owners struggle with acquiring a good backlink profile. It is important to note that backlinks are essential for all SEO efforts, and this goes for Local SEO. Backlink profiles are vital in showing Google the importance of your website in local searches. Some tips for acquiring a solid backlink profile is making use of the following locations to attain them.
- Local Community Websites
- Local Blogs
- Local Event Pages
- Local Facebook Pages
- Local Directories
- Industry Publications
- Local Online Newspaper Publications
Building local backlinks takes time and effort. Many small business owners understand the importance but neglect taking the time to build relationships and work at acquiring them. Don't be mistaken. Even though building backlinks is time-consuming, these backlinks can have a dramatic effect on your online presence and, therefore, should not be neglected.
Behavior Signals
Google also considers specific behavior signals such as (CTR) Click-through-rate, mobile clicks to call, and even social media check-ins. These signals help Google determine which business listing is most relevant and which are performing the best. In return, Google will reward these listings higher in the local SERPs.
Local Content
Writing on your website for your local community can help rank your website for many local search queries. Google's main objective is to serve the searcher the best content that is being searched. Providing unique local content that your customers love will drastically improve your chances of showing up for more and more local searches. Always write specifically for your local audience to make this tactic work to the best of its ability.
Local SEO Most Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Most Effective Local SEO Tips For Beginners?
First and foremost, as we have discussed throughout this post, the most critical first step is to claim and optimize your GMB. Make sure you optimize it with the correct (NAP) Name, Address, and Phone Number for your business listing. It is also wise to have some great-looking pictures of your physical location, staff, and products or services your business offers.
Secondly, we recommend using as many free local directories as possible. Remember to keep your (NAP) consistent across all of the directories.
Third, we would focus on getting as many quality authentic reviews as possible.
Lastly, we recommend writing local content using proper local keywords that have high relevance to your business. Consistency is vital with content for local SEO.
How Do I Master Local SEO?
The fastest way to master local SEO is to implement what you learn. Take this blog post, for example. Make sure your GMB is optimized, find local keywords your business website can blog around, and get your business (NAP) on as many local directories as possible. That alone is an excellent start to earning your business more search traffic.
How Do I Optimize My Website For Local SEO?
The first thing to do is make sure your business name, address, and phone number are readily available for customers. Secondly, ensure your website is fast, efficient, and mobile-friendly. Lastly, you want to start writing local content with relevant searched keywords for your local area. Be sure to do proper on-page SEO, including but not limited to word count, Headings, keyword placement and usage, and appropriate tags.
What Are Local SEO Strategies?
Local SEO strategies are SEO methods for optimizing your business's website and content so that it can rank high in the search engines when someone is doing a local search.
How Do I Create A Local SEO Strategy?
First, don't overthink it. Focus on the following:
- Claim and optimize GMB
- Create a fast mobile responsive website
- Collect authentic positive reviews when you can
- Work on creating local content that is relevant to your business category
- Focus on improving your on-page SEO
- Work on acquiring a solid local backlink profile for your website
What Is The Most Effective Strategy For Local SEO?
- Optimize GMB
- Mobile-Friendly Website
- Consistent (NAP) on local directories
- Consistent local content creation
- Acquiring local backlinks for your website
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many moving parts and pieces to connect to achieve high results when it comes to Local SEO. We hope this article can stand as a guideline to follow and allow your local business to start implementing the tips and SEO factors discussed above. Remember that consistency is critical when it comes to ranking high in the local search results. As a local business owner, we suggest you start implementing some of the above strategies we have laid out for you. We wish you all the best with your business and your Local SEO journey.
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