Use Local SEO to Attract Local Prospects
You are probably familiar with the term “search engine optimization” (SEO). Local SEO focuses on increasing your visibility in your local market area. To optimize your site for a high ranking in local search, you need to use several precise steps. You can learn how to do it or hire us and we’ll do it for you.
Why is Local SEO Important?
People increasingly look for local service providers in search. Google reported that during 2014, more than 50% of searchers were seeking a local service or place. On mobile devices, the percentage of local searchers is nearly 60%.
Google and the search engines understand folks are seeking local information (from places to service providers) and are getting better at delivering local results. This also gives the search engines more space for selling ads.
With this push to local, Google is localizing search results. Google looks at the user’s search query and the user’s location. Based on those two data points, Google returns a relevant search results page.
In the past, when users searched for terms such as “business accountant”, they could get results from all over the country. Now, the search results page shows results based on the user’s location.
Local Search Optimization Process
To optimize your website’s local search presence, you need to:
- Optimize On-Page Content for Local Search
List your local name address and phone number (NAP) in key pages such as your contact us page, page footers, appropriate title tags, and even the page’s body copy.
- Get Your Business Listed in Local Search Engines & Directories
Claim your listing in the top local search engines Google for Business, Bing Local, Yahoo! Local, etc. Make your listings consistent in important local directories and aggregators such as the Yahoo Directory, infoUSA, Best of theWeb, Yelp, infoUSA, etc.
- Launch an Ongoing Local Campaign
Encourage customers and clients to add new reviews about you on the directories. Add local links to your site and local citations sources (directory listings with your NAP). Watch your Google Analytics traffic reports, monitor new citations and reviews and update business listings as needed.
We can help you optimize your website for local search and get you listed correctly in important local directories. Fill out the form on the right, to get free information on our Local SEO services.