It’s time to invest in Local SEO When…
1. You have low poor rankings for local search terms
- Pretend you’re a potential client and search for a couple of the main keywords your ideal clients would search for when looking for your services, things like “electric services near me” or “hair extensions in [City]”. Is your business on page 1 or 2? If not, it’s time to invest in local SEO!
- PS, if you’re not on page 1, you should invest in local SEO as well, no one looks at page 2, but being there shows that at least your website may have a few things going for it….
2. You’ve noticed a decrease in walk-in traffic or inquiries
- Most businesses start off with a great funfair, lots of ads and trying to connect with potential clients, then it drops off once things get rolling. If you find a noticeable decline in inquiries or foot traffic might indicate that potential customers aren’t finding you online.
4. You have Increased Competition
- Whether you’re in a very competitive market or one of the first in your city, search engines tend to favor those who are active online. If competitors are outranking you in local searches, it’s time to enhance your local SEO efforts.
5. You suck at getting Online Reviews
- People like to know what it’s like to work with you and your online reviews are a great tell tale sign of the experience. A sparse review profile can be a red flag. Local SEO can help you boost your online reputation by giving your tools to help boost your reviews.
Tried and Proven ways to Get Found Online
1. Setup and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
The ability to appear on local Google Maps searches is a crucial part of growing your business online, so ensuring you have an optimized Google Business Profile is key
- Claim Your Profile: Head over to Google Business Profile and follow the steps shown to claim your business.
- Optimize Your Business Listing:
- Business Name: Use your actual business name without keyword stuffing.
- Categories: Choose the most relevant categories for your business.
- Contact Information: Ensure your phone number and address are accurate and consistent with the way you write it on your website (and other online directories).
- Business Hours: Keep your hours up-to-date, including holiday hours.
- Photos: Add high-quality images of your services, staff, and location.
- Description: Write a compelling description using keywords naturally.
- Services: List all the services you offer with detailed descriptions when possible.
- Posts: Regularly post updates, offers, and news about your business, aim to do this weekly or bi-monthly.
2. Optimize Your Website for Local SEO
Not all websites are built with local optimization in mind and there are certain elements that need to be set up so that search engines know you exist and what you do. Here are some key steps that need to be taken to ensure search engines fully understand who you are and what you offer.
Keyword Research
- Identify Local Keywords:
- Use tools like free tools like Google Keyword Planner or paid ones like SEMrush to find keywords related to your business, such as “electrician in [City]” or “hair extensions [City].”
- Consider long-tail keywords, which are more specific phrases that potential clients might use when searching for services. For example, “best hair extensions in [City]” or “emergency electrician near me.”
- Competitor Analysis:
- Analyze your competitors’ websites in order to identify the main keywords they are ranking for. This will provide you with insights into popular search terms in your industry and area.
On-Page Optimization
On-page optimization is a key task that ideally should be completed along with the initial website build, is generally not done properly by many website designers. Be sure it’s done on your website before accepting your website development project is complete.
- Title Tags and Meta Descriptions:
- Title Tags: Use primary keywords and include your city. For example, “Professional Hair Extensions in [City] | Your Business Name.”
- Meta Descriptions: Write compelling descriptions that include local keywords to encourage clicks. Aim for a concise summary of what your page offers, including a call to action.
- Header Tags (H1, H2, etc.):
- Use header tags to structure your content. Ensure the primary keyword is in the H1 tag and use H2 and H3 tags for subheadings that include related keywords.
- Content Optimization:
- Write informative and engaging content that includes local keywords naturally. This can be in the form of service pages, blog posts, and FAQ sections.
- Avoid keyword stuffing; focus on providing value to the reader.
- Local Business Schema:
- Implement schema markup to provide search engines with structured data about your business, including location, contact details, and services offered. Tools like Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper can assist in generating this code.
- NAP Consistency:
- Ensure that your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) are consistent across your website and all online directories.
Mobile Optimization
- Responsive Design:
- Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, as many local searches are conducted on mobile devices.
- Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check your site’s responsiveness.
- Fast Loading Times:
- Optimize images and leverage browser caching to improve site speed. Use tools like GTmetrix or Google PageSpeed Insights for performance analysis and recommendations. One of the main things that slow down websites are images. Novices tend to use very large pictures (1mb +), to speed up page load use .jpg instead of .png if transparency is not needed and .webp as much as possible as that’s the best file format for website speed.
Local Content Creation
- Blog Posts:
- Write blog posts about local events, tips, or trends related to your industry. This positions you as an expert in your field and attracts local traffic.
- Local Landing Pages:
- Create dedicated pages for each location you serve, using specific keywords for each area. This helps in ranking for searches in different localities.
Internal Linking
- Strategic Linking:
- Use internal links to connect related content on your site, such as linking from blog posts to service pages. This improves navigation and helps search engines understand your site structure.
User Experience (UX) Optimization
- Clear Navigation:
- Ensure that your website is easy to navigate, with a clear menu and intuitive structure.
- Provide contact information and calls to action prominently on every page.
- Engaging Visuals:
- Use high-quality images and videos that showcase your services, enhancing user engagement.
3. Build Local Citations
Local citations are online mentions of your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) on various websites, directories, and social media platforms, this usually accompanies a direct link to your website. They are crucial for improving your business’s local SEO ranking and online visibility. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to build local citations effectively:
Identify Key Citation Sources
- Local Directories:
- List your business on popular local directories such as Yelp, Yellow Pages, and Citysearch.
- Consider industry-specific directories that cater to your field, like Angie’s List for service-based businesses.
- National Directories:
- Ensure your business is listed on major directories like Google Business Profile, Bing Places, and Apple Maps.
- Industry-Specific Websites:
- Identify websites and directories that are specific to your industry. For instance, hair extension businesses can benefit from listings on beauty-specific platforms.
- Local Business Associations:
- Join local business associations and chambers of commerce, which often have directories that can provide valuable citations.
Consistent NAP Information
- Ensure Accuracy:
- Your business’s Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) must be consistent across all listings. Inconsistencies can confuse search engines and harm your local SEO efforts.
- Use a Spreadsheet:
- Keep track of all your citations in a spreadsheet to ensure uniformity and manage updates easily.
Submit Your Business Information
- Manual Submission:
- Submit your business information manually to ensure accuracy. Many directories allow you to add photos, business hours, and descriptions, so take advantage of these features.
- Use Citation Services:
- Consider using citation services like Moz Local, Yext, or Whitespark to automate submissions and track your citations. These services can save time and provide additional insights into your citation profile.
Monitor and Update Citations
- Regular Audits:
- Periodically audit your citations to ensure they remain accurate and up-to-date. Use tools like BrightLocal or Ahrefs to track citations and identify discrepancies.
- Update Information:
- If your business moves or changes contact information, promptly update all your citations to reflect these changes.
Encourage Customer Reviews
- Leverage Review Platforms:
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms like Yelp, Google, and industry-specific sites. Positive reviews can enhance your business’s reputation and attract more clients.
- Respond to Reviews:
- Engage with customers by responding to reviews, both positive and negative. This demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction and can build trust with potential clients.
Leverage Social Media
- Create Social Profiles:
- Maintain active profiles on major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Ensure your NAP information is consistent across these platforms.
- Engage Locally:
- Participate in local groups and communities on social media to increase your business’s visibility and connect with potential clients.
4. Encourage and Manage Online Reviews
Online reviews play a significant role in building trust and credibility with potential clients. They also influence your local SEO rankings. Here’s how to effectively encourage and manage online reviews for your business:
Encouraging Online Reviews
- Ask Satisfied Customers:
- After completing a service or transaction, ask satisfied customers if they would be willing to leave a review. A simple request can go a long way in generating positive feedback.
- Provide Multiple Platforms:
- Offer customers the choice to leave reviews on various platforms such as Google, Yelp, Facebook, and industry-specific sites. Providing multiple options increases the likelihood of receiving reviews.
- Utilize Email Campaigns:
- Send follow-up emails to customers thanking them for their business and politely requesting a review. Include direct links to your review profiles to make the process easy for them.
- Incentivize Reviews:
- Consider offering small incentives or discounts for customers who leave reviews. Ensure compliance with platform policies and legal regulations regarding incentivized reviews.
If you need help with any of these optmizatation tasks, get hold of your favorite Airdrie Web Design company where many of these tasks are included in your website build.