Is your local business getting the benefits of local SEO services? Are you measuring these benefits?
In this article, let’s explore how professional local SEO services can boost the success of your local business.
Reach Your Target Customers with Effective Local Search Engine Optimization Techniques.
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As a local business owner, there are times when you might feel discouraged about your small business competing with big-name brands.
Suppose you are a business owner operating in the local scene. In that case, you need to narrow your scope and really focus your online marketing strategies towards attracting consumers within your local area.
This is where employing local SEO services come in.
However, for local SEO to be effective, you need experts in the field.
Local SEO Services 101
Local SEO techniques are search engine optimization strategies that focus on the following:
1) hone in on customers within your area; 2) increase your website’s rankings in local search results; and 3) increase traffic within the area that your business serves.
Local SEO services are a multi-step procedure which includes web mapping services, such as Google maps and local online directories and citations.
Conventional search engine optimization ranks for generic keyword phrases on a nationwide or even global scale.
On the other hand, as the name suggests, local SEO focuses on geo-specific keyword phrases with lesser competition.
This process can enhance the online visibility of a local business on local search results.
As you learn more about local SEO services and how they can benefit your local business, you’ll see that it goes hand in hand with a well-optimized website. The characteristics of a good website are:
- User friendly and easy to navigate
- Mobile responsive
- Has original and valuable content
- Optimized with relevant keyword phrases
Are Local SEO Services Different from Traditional SEO?
Business owners will typically presume that traditional SEO and local SEO services are similar.
Traditional SEO starts by utilizing keywords, website design, content, link building, social media management, and reputation management strategies to boost the website’s rank for the keywords they are targeting on Google.
On the other hand, local SEO services providers take the above methods to the next level.
A professional local SEO company targets customers located within the geographical search terms.
One of the most notable disparities between conventional search engine optimization strategies and local SEO services is the latter focusing on the following: identifying relevant local keywords, NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) NAP information, and local citations and reviews. These factors help target locally available and nearby customers.
Conventional SEO is still vital to your organization’s general digital marketing plan.
However, if you are a local business without utilizing local SEO services, you don’t have a targeted and confined approach to really hone in on your desired target audience.
Harmful Techniques that Can Kill Your Local SEO Campaign
While there are professional SEO agencies that you can employ local SEO services from, there are those who would resort to illegitimate and dishonest techniques that violate the terms of Google and other search engine companies.
Here are some red flags you should be recognize when it comes to inadequate local SEO services and techniques. If you are considering hiring a local SEO company and they mention doing any of these, run the other direction.
Avoiding these techniques and local SEO services will help you make the most of your SEO campaign.
Focusing on Broad Keywords
One of the essential aspects of SEO is the identification of the appropriate target keyword phrases to use for your business.
These are the phrases your ideal consumers are typing in Google when they look for your products and services.
If you identify these keyword phrases and target them, you can increase your website’s ranking in the search engine result pages. This is also the first step in reaching out to your target consumers and driving traffic to your website.
However, focusing on broad keywords does more harm than good to your SEO campaign.
One of the best practices in providing local SEO services is identifying geo-specific keywords for a business and targeting them.
For instance, a physical therapy clinic in Dallas that targets the keyword “physical therapy” will most likely get lost among the numerous other physical therapy clinics in Texas and throughout the country.
Instead, a local SEO provider will need to target the keyword phrase “physical therapy clinic in Dallas.”
Doing so will narrow down the scope. Consequently, your business will have better chances of ranking higher in local searches.
Compared to more generic and broad keywords, geo-specific keyword phrases are less competitive. This means you have a higher chance to improve your online rankings in more local and relevant searches.
Not Setting You up with a Google Business Profile Listing
Formerly known as Google My Business, a Google Business Profile is one of the most important aspects of getting local SEO services.
A well-crafted Google Business Profile listing will help your website rank on Google Maps and in organic search results.
Once you create and claim your Google Business Profile, make sure to optimize it. You can do this by entering your correct information, such as your business name, location, website URL, contact numbers, and hours of operation.
You can also further optimize the listing by adding relevant and high-quality images about your business, encouraging your customers to write a review or testimonial about your local business, and other essential information.
Not creating, claiming, and optimizing your Google Business Profile listing will gravely hurt your online visibility and ranking in local searches.
Inadequate Mobile Optimization
More and more consumers use their tablets and mobile phones to go online and search for the products and services they need.
When it comes to local searches, 50% of mobile users tend to go for businesses with a similar local business address to them.
Due to this trend, Google tends to give preference to mobile-responsive websites to give their users a better user experience.
Thus, it’s imperative that your website is optimized for mobile use.
Most professional digital marketing agencies will include mobile website design and development in their local SEO services and digital marketing packages.
The Importance of Employing Local SEO Services for Your Local Business
What businesses should use local SEO services?
If you want to reach more local-based customers and convert local traffic, you need to employ local SEO services. The following industries will greatly benefit from local SEO services.
- Medical
- Legal
- Real estate
- Construction
- Home improvement
- Franchise
- And many others
Whether you are a family law attorney in Portland, a small Vietnamese restaurant owner in Houston, a family medical clinic in Seattle, or a local plumber in Chicago, local SEO services can have a significant effect on your bottom line.
More than 64% of local customers go online mainly to look for a local business.
If you are a local business and need help creating and claiming your Google Business listing, please contact us.
What benefits can my business get from local SEO services?
- Reach out to local customers
- Target mobile consumers
- Better rankings in local search results
- Increase profits
Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Are you reaching the right consumers?
As the digital marketplace becomes increasingly competitive, is your local business able to keep up?
Partnering with a local SEO services provider can help you build a strategy that can ultimately boost your local business.