Local search marketing is a critical aspect of search engine optimisation for retail stores, doctors, restaurants, hotels and more.
Local SEO is an effective way to market your business website online. It helps businesses promote their products and services to local customers at the exact time they’re looking for a local business.
There are 5 main areas you can focus on to dominate Local SEO?
Title and meta description tags
Online directories and citations
Google My Business & Google Maps
Online reviews
Use local structured data markup (schema)
Read more on the critical factors for Local SEO in 2019 ->
Local SEO uses a variety of strategies — getting your site ranked on search engines like Google My Business & Bing Places for Business page, or business directories such as Yelp, Foursquare, Google, Apple Maps, localized content on your website, online reviews and other strategies.
Thousands of customers use local search every day to find the best local businesses in their area. You can help increase your chances of getting found by these potential customers through Local SEO.
Every business that competes in a local market will likely find the need to conduct a local SEO audit. Follow this SEO MOZ guide to performing the Ultimate Local SEO Audit!
Local customers are turning to the internet to find local businesses on desktops, tablets and mobile devices
While some people still use printed phone books, but more and more people are going online to source information about local businesses.
(Sources: searchengineland.com and business2community.com)
Many local searchers are looking for a specific business’ name, but many who search don’t have a specific business in mind when they begin their hunt.
By using local search marketing strategies you can better position your business and promote what you have to offer to local customers when they’re looking for your type of business.
There’s no better time to connect with a potential client than when they really need you.
Local SEO has the highest conversion numbers, period!
Online directories (like Yelp, Citysearch, Foursquare, etc.) display a business’ name, address, phone number and sometimes additional information (like a menu or business description.) Local directories can sometimes dominate the first page of many local search results.
Local directory marketing (just one of many Local SEO strategies) has a higher conversion rate than other more traditional advertising options – up to 50% conversion on some directories.
That means that by getting your business accurately listed on as many quality online directory sites as you can, you’ll convert a greater number of leads into actual customers.
More and more customers use mobile phones or tablets to find the best local businesses while they’re on the go.
In fact, mobile digital media time in NZ is now higher at 55% compared to desktop use at 41%.
Local SEO also covers both PC, tablet and mobile internet access meaning you never miss out on potential sales.
Unlike traditional advertising (e.g. local newspapers, leaflets, direct mail, etc.), with local SEO there is little wasted exposure. You reach potential customers when they need you — not when they don’t. This makes Local SEO both efficient and cost-effective.
Google My Business is a FREE listing that Google makes available for almost any business. Getting listed on Google My Business can help increase your chances of showing up high in local search results on Google. Additionally, many local businesses haven’t figured out the importance of online marketing yet. That leaves the door open for you to get a head start before your competitors wise-up and it gets more competitive. Strike while the iron’s hot.
It’s free to claim your listing on Google My Business, Bing Webmaster, Places for Business and on hundreds of other online business directories. That means free advertising for your business.
Word of mouth is a major factor in the success of many local businesses. So increase your company’s online reputation, ask trusted customers to leave a positive review about your business online — and attract hundreds of new customers.
Grow Your Business Using Velocity Websites Local SEO
These Local Search trends are strong now and they’re only going to get stronger and more significant in the future.
Now is the time for you to take advantage of local search engine optimization and boost your business before your competitors catch on. All local businesses, from plumbers and builders to florists and accountants can improve their business and make more money through local SEO. So get started today!
Citations are used to help rank your Google+ Local map listing (this was formerly called Google Places Pages) by providing Google with credible sources of information about your business in order that Google can understand your business exists, is legitimate and that what you say about your business is true
A citation is an online reference to your business’s name, address and phone number (NAP). Like links to your website, Google uses them when evaluating the online authority of your business. Unlike links though, citations don’t need to be linked to your business’s website in order for you to be credited for them.
NAP stands for Name, Address, Phone Number. NAP is critical for businesses wishing to rank well in the local organic search results, because search engines like Google take the data into account when determining which companies to show for geo-targeted searches.
A local business listing is an online entry that contains your business Name, Address and phone number (NAP) along with other details. There are a lot of websites like Yelp, Foursquare and Yellow Pages where local businesses can create free local business listings.
Give us a call today to discuss your Local SEO program.