Tips to Boost Your Local SEO and Get Your NYC Business Noticed

Local search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing your business's website and other digital assets to improve its presence in local search results. Optimizing your business's digital presence increases the chance that potential customers will see your website when they conduct searches for businesses in your area.

Here are a few tips from a New York City SEO expert to boost your local SEO and get your business noticed by potential customers in your area.

Perform keyword research.

Keyword research is critical for local SEO success. You need to identify the right keywords that potential customers are using to find businesses like yours. Once you know what keywords to target, you can optimize your website and other online content to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Here are four tips for performing effective keyword research:

1. Use a keyword research tool: When it comes to keyword research, there's no better place than Google Keyword Planner. With this tool, you'll get detailed search volume and competition data so you can better understand how challenging it will be to rank on SERPs for particular keywords.
2. Focus on long-tail keywords: Some companies compete with large firms with high budgets by focusing on long-tail keywords rather than head terms or single words. These keywords typically have less competition, but they also have fewer searches per month.
3. Look at historical search trends: As Google updates its algorithm, you may see fluctuations in the popularity of certain keywords. You should look at historical trends when deciding which keywords to prioritize — especially if certain changes seem abrupt or unexpected.
4. Watch out for seasonal searches: Many people search for specific items around holidays and seasonal events, such as Christmas tree retailers during December.

Optimize your business listing.

Start with the basics by claiming your business listing on Google Business Profiles (formerly Google My Business). This free platform allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google Search and Maps.

Optimize your listing with keywords that describe your business and products/services. Be sure to include relevant category tags as well. Ensure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are accurate and up-to-date — inconsistent NAP information can hurt your chances of ranking in local search results.

Don't forget to add photos and videos to your listing to give potential customers a better idea of what you offer.

Optimize for smartphones.

Nowadays, having a website that looks good on a desktop is not enough. You need to make sure your site is optimized for mobile, too. More and more people are using their phones and tablets to search the web, so if your site isn't mobile-friendly, you could miss out on many potential customers.

With the abundance of businesses popping up daily, it's no surprise that some will fall under the radar and fail to make an impact. If you want your business to be one of the ones to succeed, you'll need to think carefully about your local SEO strategy. Follow these tips for local SEO and hire professional SEO services in New York to get your business noticed in your community.

SEO Long Island is a division of Cybernet LLC based in Long Beach, Long Island. We recognize the importance of good SEO to local and national businesses.