Today, local search engine optimization (SEO) has become an important focus for the marketing plans of local companies. It is defined as a specialized form of online marketing aimed at increasing the visibility for a business by helping it achieve top ranking for geographically-related keywords. With the high number of mobile users, incorporating this strategy in your marketing plan makes perfect sense. It will help you get found via mobile searches as well as local searches performed on search engines.
Succeeding in Local Search Engine Optimization
1. Do Keyword Research
Selecting the correct keywords and keyword phrases is a key part for any search engine optimization process, and local SEO is not an exception. Normally, users that search for terms specific to a particular practice area are often higher quality visitors and are as a result more likely to turn into a call, consultation, or even a client. Therefore, it’s important to identify all the search terms that are likely to result in directing visitors to your business website or listing.
When doing keyword research, you should try out several different keywords that you think are the most ideal targets. Think of terms that most people probably search for. However, avoid picking very competitive keywords or keyword phrases as your chances of being found will likely be very low.
2. Don’t Forget Onsite Optimization
Once you’ve selected the best keywords or keyword phrases, the next thing is to make sure that your site is properly optimized. To get the best results, the keywords should be placed naturally in:
- title tags
- page content
- meta description
- header tags
Do not just place your keywords all over assuming that it’s going to work. This may actually work against you as Internet users will see your site as “spammy” and won’t bother to click and visit as a result.
3. Place Links
When it comes time to building links to your business website, keep in mind that this is not all about numbers. The best kind of links are natural links and content marketing can be an effective way to get those. Simply start blogging from your site and try to keep it updated frequently. This is a great reason to use blogging platforms such as WordPress.
If you can provide your readers:
- interesting
- relevant
- useful
… information, they won’t find it difficult to click your links and visit your website. Moreover, they will naturally and willing spread your message across the Internet for you. When your information is shared on social networking sites like Facebook, it will create social signals that Google and other search engines love. The result? Higher rankings.
4. Encourage Online User Reviews
Another tip to succeed in local search engine optimization is to encourage and respond to user reviews about your business. These reviews can help build your business’ visibility in the local search results and enhances your engagement with your audience by interacting with them — whether from a positive or negative vantage point.
Try to encourage your clients and customers to leave ratings & reviews of your business and its offerings as part of your local search engine optimization strategy, especially when they are satisfied. Whether it’s just a flyer at checkout or a callout on your site, the more positive reviews you receive, the better you will appear in searches both through search engines and the review sites themselves.