What is Local SEO?
Covid-19 have caused massive disruption amongst small business, nearly half of the business had closed temporarily, which has forced us to come up with new marketing strategies. Due to pandemic more buyers are giving preference to digital interaction hence companies can leverage the local search behaviour –to drive traffic to locations. This is known as Local SEO and it’s the best customer acquisition strategy in current times.
Strategies and devices designed to increase a SME’s digital visibility to attract local customers over online search traffic towards SMES location are called local SEO. Normally, it centres on SME’slocal pack; search engine results that show the local business related to a client’s query.
For instance, if you want a burger-hungry food lover searching to find your shop, you can increase the search engines listings, ads and website content to enhance your chances of being seen in search results.
There is no secret of the fact that since local content has extra value for users hence even Google supports it. As a SME you can compete with large business if you can gather exclusive information of your local buyers. Local SEO is all about long tail keywords. You can take advantage of tools like ‘Google Keyword planner’ and find keywords which can best describe your business and add location too. Easily creating content around keywords can help you reach the top position in search engine results.
Today if the food lovers would like to grab a bite, they are generally dependent on local searches. For instance, open your mobile and search for ‘burger joint near me’, and instantaneously you will have a list of places which serve Burgers, including images and customer feedbacks. If your shop is located within vicinity of the food lover, you would want to be visible in searches like that with optimized listing.
If you wish to increase a compelling volume of loads, foot traffic, conversions and returns; Local SEO is one of best marketing channels. Customer reply on web mapping services like Google map to verify information like address, contact information and business hours –are generally seen before they visit at that planned destination. If you are dependent on leads, you cannot ignore Local SEO traffic anymore.
Important strategic aspects you might consider while creating Local SEO campaign during the pandemic
Kick-off with your website
You must have heard a lot that “you need links built!”Butlinks are bygone grail of SEO.Rather, search engines like Google and others are giving importance to website and user experience that the customers will have when they visit your business website. If currently your website isn’t mobile friendly, agile and don’t have outstanding content then you need to worry a bit during this pandemic because your rivals are making mark on top search results and of course that’s not a favourablescenario for your growth.
You might want to outsource Local SEO service from a reputable Digital Marketing Agency for onsite optimization. Aim to publish content that is optimized to deliver value to your users and publish content that perfectly matches their requirements.
Once you have your website enhanced, now you can beat your competitors in the search results and hence attract prospective customers.
Emphasize on creating your Location page
Optimize your location page in a way that your business shows up in focused area, include your business’s name, address, phone number, photos, operating hours, and links.‘Google my business’ would be a great idea to start with and include exact details about your business eg phone number, location and working hours, images of shop and products, services and lastly optimize your business description around keywords that your prospects might use to find you.
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Don’t forget the influence of Google on Local SEO
Today we can’t deny the fact that most important component for optimization of your website for search engine traffic is Google.
When local customers need guidance, they use Google My Business and Google Maps. So it is highly essential to have an accurate and updated listing with Google My Business, hence upload information like those mentioned above.
You can’t request to be featured as a favourable business; however the more details you provide about your business, the more likely it is that you will be visible in user searches and featured through Google.
Dwell on Local Keywords
You must find out the most common keywords related to your City, region and area that the prospects use when looking for your type of business and accordingly optimize the content for Local search.
For eg, if you have a Pizza joint in New York near Lincoln Square, a typical search might be “Pizza New York “ someone driving around is more likely to as ,”where’s a Pizza joint near Lincoln Square?”
Putting a locality, in addition to your city, is a good way to meet the need of users .
Give Attention on generatingCustomer Reviews
Type any service provider’s name on Google you will automatically receive reviews by Google which concludes the importance of the online reviews. There has been a major shift lately in the role of online reviews, for Social proof online reviews are crucial. Researcher indicates that many people give extreme importance to positive review as much as a personal recommendation. Also, they help shape brands influence, impact growth and generate sales leads – a powerful tool that no marketer should ignore.
Generating reviews should be a key component while making marketing strategy for your business.
The key is to build your brand’s competency, reliability, credence in Google’s mind and thus as a result many marketers are generating business reviews as a trust factor.
Construct backlink outreach
As you understand in case the creditable and reliable websites if are linking back to your business, it is obviously better for your SEO. Concerning Local SEO generate links from other local business sites.
Conduct backlink outreach to increase your visibility in local search. This may include business having similar purpose, chambers of commerce and media. Google should be able to understand your worth hence will elevate your position in top search positions.
Local SEO is all about Mobile
Optimization of business website for local search has become more crucial because of rising trends such as voice search and advancement in mobile technology. The design and content must be mobile friendly; a Page should load quickly on mobile, mobile -friendly fonts and also the layouts can’t be ignored, fonts should be large enough to be easily read on mobile screens, Single Column layouts are better for small screens.
Also think about the language that a person might use to perform a voice search on mobile for local business like yours.Test some local voice searches to get a feel how voice assistants will serve up results.
Conclusion
Although there is uncertainty in economy because of pandemic, Digital marketing strategies will remain effective; organic assets, website optimization, content generation and Local SEO. Find modern ways to get your local business in front of prospects by embracing change. Whether you already understand the importance of Local SEO or have just getting started, it can still be an extensive operator of traffic and leads to your website.
By creating content that is tailored as per your audience and optimizing your website for high-traffic, you can broaden your reach and promote
your brand online.
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