Running a business can get pretty hectic. There’s a lot of things that you have to consider, from finances to marketing, and the responsibilities rest on your shoulders. You have to switch between monitoring your products or services and in getting your business out there in the most efficient way.*-Entrepreneurs have heard of the term ‘SEO’ over and over again. The reason for this is because companies need visibility, and to do this, you have to optimize your website so that it ranks higher in Google search results.
One of the most effective strategies is Local SEO and Google Maps Marketing. Search engines like Google and Yahoo are now personalizing the user’s browsing experience by providing them local results when they search for services online. They do this through location cues, browsing history tracking, browsing behavior, and the like. For example, you have a business based in Seattle, find a local SEO for your google maps marketing seattle.
Local search results are significant for the growth of startups and small businesses, and here are the reasons why.
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO is not your average SEO strategy. It goes beyond optimizing your website to rank your page higher. Local SEO helps businesses reach their potential customers at the exact moment they’re looking for local businesses or establishments. Hence, the term local. Fo
For starters, it is a target-oriented approach that makes use of search optimization and online business directories like Foursquare and Yelp to help entrepreneurs streamline their efforts more accurately. This strategy gives start-up owners the advantage of getting their business seen by potential clients the moment they search for local businesses.
Think of localized search this way: if you were to search for, say, ‘best SEO companies,’ Google will give results that are closest to your proximity. It focuses on location-based relevancy in displaying search results.
In a nutshell, Local SEO is organic SEO, evolved.
Reasons to Invest in Local SEO
Hoping to start marketing your value pawn and jewelry shop more, but not sure where to start? Then read on.
- Local Searches Target Specific Audiences
Many people don’t have a particular business in mind when they go to Google to search for an individual service provider. The reason they’re on Google is to look for a name that fits their criteria.
In applying local search strategies to your startup, you can better position your business by meeting your customers halfway. You can promote your services the moment users go looking for them, allowing you to engage with your clients the time they need you the most.
The good news is that Google loves local search results. Back then, with the release of the search algorithm dubbed ‘Pigeon,’ Google altered the way they interpreted location cues and displayed results. Local search algorithms and core algorithms are now closer than ever.
- Local Customers are Going Mobile
According to statistics, mobile search has long surpassed desktop searches. With this fact alone, we can infer that failing to apply local SEO strategies, especially for start-ups, will cause your business to lose up to millions of potential customers! The world is going mobile, so should you.
The internet population is steadily growing. More and more people are turning to their cell phones to do their daily tasks, from making grocery lists to searching for local establishments. Aside from the fact that 46 percent of Google searches center on local intent, 78 percent of local searches done on mobile phones result in offline purchases.
What we can get from this is that people are turning to the internet to look for businesses and establishments. Gone are the days of physical directories and newspaper listings.
- Local Searches Have Higher Conversion Rates
Major online directories share their info with a network of smaller listings. That means your business will have greater chances of exposure. While people may reach your company on different social media platforms and through your website, it pays off to invest in online directories since they dominate the first page of most local search results.
- High Return on Investment
With local SEO, there is barely any effort wasted. When compared to traditional means of advertising, like flyers, brochures, email marketing, you can never be too sure if you are reaching the right amount of people.
In local search optimization, you can reach your customers when and where they need you, making the whole process cost-effective and efficient.
Rank Your Local Business
Now that we have established the importance of local SEO applications, it’s time to put the gears to work. There are a lot of free tools and platforms to help you get started. Here are a few tips to get your local business to rank higher.
- Claim Your Google My Business Listing
One of the essential tools is Google My Business. It is a free listing that Google gives out to businesses, for free. That’s right! It comes free of charge. Not only will it save money, but you will also have the chance to showcase your business on the top results above the cut, where they display the rest of the results.
With this, Google highlights local businesses and increases their clickthrough rates, exposing your brand to a larger audience. And all you need is your company email to get you started.
- On-page SEO
Title and meta description tags are still relevant. You still need to tailor your title text and description carefully, since they are what users see on the search results page. Ensure that your write-ups are compelling and descriptive enough to attract the viewers. Don’t forget to weave relevant keywords into your site.
- Keep Your Details Up-to-Date
Your business is now on top of the listings, and you’re waiting for the phone to start ringing and for the inquiries to start flooding in. But nothing’s happening, and you might be thinking to yourself, “I’m pretty sure they told me I’d be bombarded with customers if I set up a Google listing.”
Before you kick your feet up, you need to make sure that all of your details are consistent. This information includes:
- NAP, or Name, Address, and Phone Number
- A brief and unique description of your company
- Company website and social media links
- Proper category and product niche
- Opening and closing times
- High-resolution images
Make sure that you keep these details consistent across different websites and platforms. There’s nothing worse than losing potential customers on one small misstep or overlooked detail.
- Use Online Reviews
Let’s say you asked your friend who is a graphic designer for tips on how to make unique CTAs for your website; you will most definitely trust in his advice since you know him well. The same goes for 84 percent of people. They are more likely to trust online reviews as much as they trust personal recommendations.
People are getting cautious over online businesses due to negative experiences in the past. That is why it is crucial for you to display authentic and genuine customer reviews so that you can help your clients feel at ease.
Through constant monitoring of feedback, you are also showing your clients that you care about what they think and that you take their feedback into consideration in improving your services.
Takeaway
In the world of business, we are all striving for a robust internet and media presence. Check out tips from CLLAX for more business tips for startups. And as a growing start-up, you need to curate a visibility strategy for your company wisely, and the way to do this is through local SEO. Through local searches, you can target your audience and meet their needs when they need you the most.
Maintain a consistent business strategy, streamline your efforts, and allow Google to work their magic on your business. With your efforts, you can see your business grow in the coming days, weeks, and eventually, years.