Did you know, as many as 43% of online searches now boast ‘local intent’? This means local SEO has never been more critical to your marketing strategy. Don’t believe us? Check out the rest of the article to find out more on the subject–you might be surprised to learn how useful local SEO services are. Let’s dive in!
What’s Local SEO?
Before we delve further into this article, you need to understand what ‘local SEO’ actually is. In short, it’s a simple yet effective way of boosting the position of your website on search engine results–more specifically, you’ll gain more visibility for things local customers are typing into Google.
What SEO Services Are There?
Think of local SEO as an umbrella term for all the following:
1. Website ‘Localization’
By this we mean, you need to insert the names of all the geographic locations you serve throughout your website copy (in a way that looks natural). For example:
- Your town or city
- Your county
- Your state or region
If you’re struggling to do this, consider starting a blog where you feature work you’ve done within your local community.
2. Claim and Optimize Your Google My Business Listing
This is essential for your business to show up on Google maps and to surface on local search results. The same’s true of Bing- however, this is called ‘Bing Places for Business.’ Claiming these listings is incredibly simple, yet the effect is massive! It’s hands down the easiest way to boost brand awareness within your local community. This is especially true at the moment because less than half of local businesses have claimed their Google My Business listing, so now’s the times to get ahead of your regional competition.
3. Build a List of Digital Citations
One of the easiest ways to build up a list of citations is to register your business in as many high-quality online business directories as possible. Not only does this extend your reach, but it also works wonders for improving local SEO.
4. Managing Your Online Reviews
Authentic customer reviews communicate to search engines your site’s trustworthy and that you offer products and/or services that people find useful. Therefore, the more positive reviews you receive, from reliable review sites, the better your local SEO- makes sense, right? Did you know, as many as 91% of 18-34-year-old consumers trust digital reviews as much as a personal recommendation? Top Tip: Reach out to some of your regulars to leave you a review. You’ll be amazed at how much this helps your SEO efforts.
Why Bother?
This may seem like a lot of time and effort, which then begs the question: why bother? Well, more and more people are using the internet to find local businesses (both on desktop and mobile). It’s now the norm to use a mobile device to find reputable local companies. In fact, as many as 51% of people prefer to use their mobiles to search online. Therefore, hiring a local SEO service to ensure your digital presence is mobile-friendly, is also essential.
The stats speak for themselves: 64% of local consumers utilize search engines to find local services- so if you’re not factoring local SEO into your overall marketing campaign, you could be missing out on tons of business! Not to mention, many local searchers don’t have a specific business in mind…yet. Instead, they usually have a vague idea of the products and services they require. They have an immediate need that has to be filled, but they might not know where to get the solution.
So, local SEO puts you in a prime position to promote your brand to customers who actually want what you have to offer (at a time when they’re actively looking to spend their money). Therefore, they’re far more likely to spend their hard-earned cash!
An Added Bonus…
Did you know, a surprising amount of local searches come from non-locals? With the right local SEO optimization; you could capture an even wider audience! This is especially true if you’re running an e-commerce store in addition to a traditional brick and mortar shop. E-commerce knows no limits when it comes to location!
A Sound Investment
When you invest in SEO services, it’ll be worth it in the long run. You should enjoy a boost in traffic, followed by an increase in sales, and then from there, it’s down to you to establish a relationship with these consumers. Over time, you should have everything you need to convert them into loyal fans of your brand.
After all, as many 88% of shoppers in the US research products and services on the web before they hand over their hard-earned cash. So, if you’re not making the most out of SEO, you miss out on the opportunity to market yourself to shoppers on the fence about purchasing! Otherwise, they’ll just use one of your competitors instead–what a waste!
If that isn’t enough, as many as 61% of local searchers end up calling said business. This is powerful stuff! When done correctly, local SEO gives consumers the power to take immediate action.
Did You Enjoy This Article on Local SEO Services?
We hope you all found this blog post on the benefits of using local SEO services helpful. If you have any questions or queries on the subject, please feel free to reach out and contact us. No problem for us is too big or too small, and we’re always happy to help.