In 2017, Google alone had recorded over one trillion searches. This whopping statistic is just showing this search engine’s influence and popularity crystal-clear. With its strict algorithm, it’s completely understandable that you must know the rules before you join the game. Fortunately, there are ways you can do on how to let Google’s search results work on your favor. This is where Local SEO comes into the light.
How can your business benefit from Local SEO strategies?
Based on studies, there are 64% of Internet users who rely on Google and other search engines to find local businesses near them. Out of this, 50% actually end up visiting the local business that they’ve seen on the search results page on the very same day. So if your business is working on face to face transaction, then can you imagine the number of views and potential customers that you are losing on a day to day basis?
Google’s SERP used to respond to local searches by showing the top 7 most popular businesses that are related to the search query. The results are displayed in the form of snippets. Searchers will be able to see the contact number, addresses and even direction links to each local business. However, as the online market evolves and had reached a time where it is strongly dominated by mobile users, Google reduced the first list of results to three. Now, it is the famously known as local 3-pack. And as you might have guessed, these spots are the most highly sought after by digital marketers.
Local SEO improves your ranking in local search engine results.
You might not be able to control what would appear in the local 3-pack. However, you can heavily influence the results using Local SEO strategies. By working on the presence and consistency of your business’ keywords and domain authority, you can strengthen the on-page signals, a big factor that affects localized organic rankings.
Google and other search engines overlook a business with an inconsistent NAP. They only show results that are relevant to the search term used by the searchers, as well as to the geographic vicinity, if, and only if, the name of your business, phone number and address are consistent. By having Local SEO experts who will make sure that your NAP is accurate and consistent not only on your website but all across the web, the higher chance you have of boosting your local search rankings.
Local SEO can help you get to the top of “Near Me” searches.
These days, people are more inclined to search for local businesses that are near them. Of course, Google and other search engines only return three results and mostly, they are the most relevant result for a geographic location like a city and not really for the convenience of the user performing the search.
As a result, people tend to specify their searches using the “near me” term. Google takes into account the location of the user who is doing the search and then returns the results that are most relevant to them.
Local SEO can help you position your business on the top three results in your locality through these various optimization strategies.
• Optimizing your website and making it mobile-friendly
• Optimizing your business by using local keywords and industry-relevant terms
• Claiming your business listing on all existing online directories as possible
• Obtaining positive Google Reviews for your business
• Ensuring that your NAP and other company details are consistent all across the Web
• Growing your presence through local citations
• Getting your business in front by using Google AdWords’ location extensions
Optimizing Local SEO for your business can be extremely rewarding. Even if you are a small business owner, you must not overlook these strategies. There are digital marketing companies like MojoSEO that offer SEO solutions both for small and big companies at a fraction of a price. Our precise, tested and affordable Local SEO services can be applied in all industries and fields.