Why Small Businesses Need Local SEO

What is Local SEO?

Local SEO is part of search engine optimizing (or SEO). It focuses on increasing a local business' visibility within local search engine results. Local search results often answer a "near me" question. This means that the search engine understands that the search is restricted by geographic limitations and has returned results.

Local search optimization strategies can help businesses increase their visibility in local search results for terms that are related to their business or products.

Why is local SEO important for small businesses?

Nearly 50% of all Google queries are local. Google still shows local businesses when someone searches for something everyday.

This is important for small businesses. Well, from 2017 to 2019, Google reported a 900% increase in searches that involved 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

This means that potential customers will be more likely to find you online if your business is located near where they are searching.

What are the benefits of local SEO?

Local SEO can help small businesses gain visibility on Google search engine result pages (SERPs).

The Cost-Effective Solution to Marketing

Although managing your business information online can be time-consuming and costly, local SEO is a cost-effective option for online advertising.

Local customers help you find them

72% of consumers searching for local businesses visit a business within five miles. There are greater chances of your small business being found in Google Maps or local search results.

Reach Customers who are Ready to Buy

80% percent of local searches are converted into sales. Local SEO places you in front of the customer at the exact moment that they are searching for a product/service, making it more likely for them to buy or inquire about more information.

Gets more qualified search traffic

Local search can be used to help you weed out those searchers who may not be likely to reach your business. Search engines don't make a concerted effort not to protect businesses from customers. Instead, they want local results that are relevant based on intent and proximity. A search for your HVAC company will not bring up a listing from 50 miles away, but a local result would show up if it were located just five miles away.

What can small businesses do to use local SEO?

Your small business can make simple steps to increase visibility in local search engine results pages (SERPs). These are the top ways to increase your local SEO efforts.

Make consistent, accurate local citations

Local citations refer to any instances in which your business name, address, and phone number are mentioned online, such as a local business listing. No matter how many local citations you create online, ensure that all information is accurate and consistent. This will help search engines trust your data.

Register Your Business in Local Online Directories

It makes it easier to have local listings on major search engines and online directories such as Google My Business, Google Places, and Facebook. This allows search engines to confirm that your business is legitimate. Make sure that your data is consistent and accurate!

Create & maintain a Google My Business profile

You can create a Google My Business profile to help your small business feed information into Google Search or Google Maps. You can also monitor reviews of your business in Google and make quick updates about your hours. And you can even keep up to date with customers using features like Google Posts.

Respond to reviews (both good and bad) regularly

Responding to customer reviews online can show customers you care. This can help boost your local search rank. Getting more business reviews can be difficult, but once you begin receiving them, it is worth the effort.

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