Why Small Businesses Need Local SEO

Get your phone out, Open Google and type in "best Italian restaurant." What results do you get? The top results aren't always the top Italian establishments in America. They also they're not part of a large chain. They're usually local establishments in your area which are located near the place you're at. That's the advantage of local SEO. How can small businesses use local SEO services to stay ahead of their competitors online? Find out more in this article!

What Is Local SEO?

The local search engine is an aspect of the process known as search engine optimization (or SEO) that focuses on increasing the visibility of local businesses within local search results. The results shown on local results usually provide a "near me" intended question in that the person is looking for something "in [CITY]" ]"--or and the algorithm has realized that there were geographical constraints for the query.

Through local SEO strategies, businesses can increase their visibility in these local search results for phrases related to their company and their services or products.

Why Is Local SEO Important for Small Businesses?

The majority of Google searches today are local search results. If someone performs the typical search daily, there is a good chance that Google will show local businesses close by remain very high.

Why is this important for small-sized firms? From 2017 to 2019, Google reported a 900% increase in searches involving the phrase "near me today/tonight." In an attempt to best meet the needs of its searchers, Google started providing more results for geographically-related searches based on:

• Proximity
• Relevance
• Prominence

That is, if your business is within the area where someone is conducting their search, provides the products or services they could be seeking, and is listed in an enhanced local listing for your business; your business is more likely to be noticed by potential customers searching online.

What Are the Benefits of Local SEO?

Alongside gaining more visibility on Google search results pages (SERPS), investing in local SEO can also provide other benefits to small-scale businesses.

A Cost-Effective Marketing Solution

Although it takes time and effort to maintain your business's details in directories on the internet, you can create local business listings on the internet for free using tools such as Google My Business and Facebook. Local SEO is an affordable alternative for advertising on the internet.

Helps Local Customers Find You

72% of those searching for local businesses visit stores within 5 miles. If you're appearing in local results on Google or Google Maps, there's a greater chance of securing new prospects for your small-scale business.

Reaches Customers Who Are Ready to Buy

The majority of local searches carried out on mobile devices translate into sales. Local SEO places your business in front of the consumer when they're looking for a particular product or service, making them more likely to purchase or inquire about more details.

Delivers More Qualified Search Traffic

Local search is a great way to filter out those who don't intend to contact your company. It's not because Google is conducting an effort to protect companies from potential customers and customers, but instead because they want to deliver relevant local results by the proximity of users and their intention. Therefore, someone who is 50 miles away is unlikely to be able to see your HVAC company appear in search results. However, someone located just five miles away will.

How Can Small Businesses Use Local SEO?

The steps your business could adopt to increase its visibility on local SERPs are less complicated than you think. Here are a few most efficient ways to enhance your local SEO initiatives.

Create Accurate, Consistent Local Citations

Local citations are when your company's name, address, address, and phone number are displayed online, such as in the local business listings. Wherever you post local citations online, ensure the information you provide is correct and is used each time consistently. This will help search engines verify your information.

List Your Business in Online Local Directories

Making local business listings on major search engines and online directories of businesses such as Google My Business, Yelp, Yext, Bing Places, and Facebook helps search engines determine if your company is legitimate and if the information you provide is accurate. (Again, make sure that your information is correct and uniform! )

Set-Up & Maintain a Google My Business Profile

When you create the Google My Business profile for your small-scale business, you can add your company's information straight in Google Search and Google Maps. Additionally, having a profile on Google My Business lets you keep track of reviews about your business on Google, make quick changes to your hours, and keep in touch with your customers via features such as Google Posts.

Respond Regularly to Reviews (Both Good & Bad)

Responding to reviews online shows clients that you are interested and could be a positive indicator to improve local search ranking. Although getting more reviews for your business will require work, when you begin receiving them, you need to be ready to reply, regardless of whether the review is favorable or unfavorable.

Add Hyperlocal Content to Your Website

Including local keywords in your web page's content can significantly impact. In particular, including business identifiers, such as "dentist in [CITY, ST]" in your website's content can assist search engines in understanding not only what you offer and what local areas you service. This means that you're more likely to appear when someone in your vicinity seeks out a "dentist near me."

Are you struggling to get to the right place with SEO services? LSS can help you establish the right to manage and improve your local search results. Learn more about local search optimization and contact LSS today!

Working as content strategist at sen wall coverings