In order to rank well in searches with local intent, a company needs both local and national search engine optimization. These tried-and-true methods are part of the expert marketer’s toolkit for increasing brand awareness, boosting product visibility, and attracting new customers in your area. When executed properly, it’s a superb method of being present during the most crucial phases of the buyer’s journey. To help you rank higher in local search results, this article will discuss improving your Local SEO hack five. Keep reading to find out more!
1. Don’t forget to include feed aggregators and optimize for them
It’s crucial that aggregators like those used by Apple Maps, Yelp, TripAdvisor, Google, and Bing have the most recent version of your data. Keep in mind that search engines may discount your locations entirely if they detect even minor inconsistencies, such as abbreviations, typos, and incorrect phone numbers. What follows are the three most important aggregators to keep in mind.
2. Make dedicated “how to reach us” pages for each of your stores
Having a dedicated page for each store helps search engines authenticate and promote them all. Include your NAP details on those pages, but also try these other SEO strategies:
Include a customer service email address.
- Allow mobile users to tap phone numbers (Google has a post that walks you through how to make a phone number clickable on your website)
- Include a map pinpointing your exact location Google Maps is the most popular way for consumers to find a business’s location (86%).
- Include a Schema markup on your site.
3. Start with Google and get listed on other relevant search engines
Search engines use data like links, reviews, and social media profiles to compile the most pertinent local results for a user’s query.
There are many listing services available, but Google Business Profile (GBP) stands out as the most widely used (formerly Google My Business or GMB). Businesses of all sizes should make using this directory their top priority, as 46% of Google searches are conducted in search of local information. There are only four basic requirements to be found on Google:
4. Get your Google Business Profile claimed and verified
By making use of Google Posts, you can broadcast updates, announcements, and special offers directly from your Google+ page.
- To get more feedback, have customers leave reviews on your website.
- Make sure to reply to reviews so that customers know you’re interested in what they have to say (and don’t forget to include the city/neighborhood in your response so that it will be easily searchable).
- Keeping your GBP listing up-to-date and accurate will increase your visibility and help potential customers find you.
- Remember that people don’t just use Google to look for local businesses; they use a wide variety of channels, from social media sites like Facebook and Instagram to search engines like Yahoo and Bing.
5. Maintain directory parity
Making sure the information you put online is correct helps more than just potential buyers. Google needs up-to-date information in order to provide its users with the most relevant search results, so providing accurate data is essential. The best way to do this is to keep your name, address, and phone number (NAP) consistent across all of your online profiles, including directories, websites, and social media. In order to facilitate discovery and verification by search engines, this data should be presented in a crawlable HTML format on your site.
6. Connect your social media activity and search history for better results
Social media marketing is essential in today’s environment, and it is crucial that your social posts are synchronized with your local listings. Sharing your GBP listing on social media (and vice versa) is a great way to strengthen the link between the two, as Google now considers social posts as evidence of the credibility of a business. Consider incorporating Google Posts into your social media strategy as it provides a localized communication channel and provides customers with a more engaging means of interacting with your brand.
The search engine optimization (SEO) of a local website is an ongoing endeavor, not a one-time thing. Constant vigilance, auditing, and fine-tuning are necessities. To know more know-how to take the lead on these kinds of projects and to create cutting-edge store finders, both of which will improve your Local SEO and bring you closer to the top of the search engine results page. Visit Paul Browning.
