What do you mean by Local Search Engine Optimization?
Local SEO focuses on raising brand awareness in local search results, such as those shown on Apple Maps, Google, Google Maps, iOS Spotlight Search, and Yelp. Using localized keywords, local SEO improves a website’s visibility in search engine results.
For example, if you own a restaurant in Texas and people search ‘restaurants near me’ or ‘restaurants in Texas’, the keyword phrases will show your local business in the results. If users will not specify a location while searching, Google is still able to determine that they are in need of a local result based on their device, location, and intent.
Furthermore, people who do local searches are more likely to be in the earlier stages of the buying process. For example, they are looking for a restaurant or a doctor in their area.
What to do before enlisting on Local Search Engine?
Creating a Local Search Engine Business Page is the first step in doing Local SEO. As Google is a widely used search engine, creating a Google My Business page will help. It’s important to remember that Google’s local search engine rankings are based on three primary factors.
- You will have a greater chance of ranking well if your company is located closer to the city center.
- Google prioritizes providing relevant search results to its users. Because of this, you should include as much detail as possible when describing your business.
- Google gives preferential treatment to businesses with more established online presence and better reputations. Thus, knowing where you stand in SERPs is crucial before making any move.
How to rank on Local Search Engine?
Your Google My Business profile should be up and active by now. Here are some suggestions for improving its Google rankings. These are some of the best SEO practices used by reputable companies.
Keep Your Website Details Up-to-Date
Make sure all of the data you provide in your GMB profile is correct and up-to-date. To fully grasp your local ranks, you need to maintain a set of local rank trackers. Your online profile may suffer if you used information that was false or out of date. Keep all of your online profiles updated with the same information. You should use the same contact number, email address, and physical address that is shown on your Google My Business page on your website and other online profiles.
Verify Location on Maps
Creating a GMB profile doesn’t need you to verify your physical location. During Google’s initial setup procedure, you may choose to skip through that step. But, your company location on Google Maps won’t be shown until you validate it. Google often does this by mailing a postcard to your actual address with a verification number on it. If your company requires it, Google will also accept other methods of verification, such as phone calls and emails.
Add Detailed Description
There are a variety of factors that includes relevancy in listing the search results. This includes a descriptive description that has your target keywords. This can greatly improve your rank in local search results. You may go a step further by stating the time when you’re open for business. Google will first verify whether you are open or closed at the time of the search before displaying your results to users. If you are approachable, you will have a far better chance of rising in the rankings.
Use Images
Do you realize that people may discover your company via picture searches? One-third of all Google searches are for photographs, according to the company’s own statistics. You are undoubtedly leaving a lot of traffic if you aren’t using photographs in your GMB profile. Thankfully, it just takes a few clicks to add photos to your GMB profile.
If you want, you can even include a video. Make sure the images and videos you choose accurately portray your company and resonate with potential customers. The more images you provide, the higher you will appear in search results.
Build Trust With Reviews
All relationships, including those in business, depend on trust. Thus, you must take review building seriously if you want to rise in Google Maps’ rankings. And a courteous request for reviews is the best way to start them rolling in. Google itself suggests that you remind your consumers to post a review.
However, remember that more is not always better. You won’t necessarily get to the top of search results just because you have 100 reviews. Some of the factors Google considers when selecting where to place your profile include the quality of your material and the number of stars you’ve received.
Be Active on SNS
Google employs a variety of factors, including social media, to decide the rankings of websites in search results. If your website is popular on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, etc., this is a powerful factor. Furthermore, your Google Maps visibility will increase as the rankings from your sites improve. It’s better to launch your company’s social media marketing campaign immediately.
Conclusion
Any business that depends on local clients should prioritize improving its position in local search engine results. You may get greater exposure in local search results and reach a wider audience by enhancing your online presence and using local SEO tactics. Make sure your website is optimized for mobile devices and users, that you have great customer reviews, and that you have claimed and optimized your Google My Business page. Since local SEO is a continuous process, it’s important to monitor changes in search engine algorithms and adopt strategies that take advantage of them.
FAQs
What is local SEO?
Why is local SEO important for my business?
How do I optimize my Google My Business listing?
What are local citations, and how do they help with local SEO?
Can I do local SEO on my own, or do I need professional help?
Shivangi is a passionate Copywriter at Alian Software with expertise in technical copywriting. She shares information that is easy to understand regarding business, technology, and trends.