Local Search Engine Optimization is an important aspect of digital marketing. It can increase traffic to your website by ensuring that your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are listed in relevant places throughout your site. Although local search competition is increasing, smaller markets might not be as competitive as larger cities. Depending on your goals, it may be beneficial to hire a local SEO agency or freelancer to help you optimize your site.
The first step in local search engine optimization is to build links to your website from local websites. This can be done in several ways, including by building geo-optimized landing pages, sticking to a single domain, building offsite citations, and adding your business to the Google My Business page. Moreover, you should also make use of the Forbes Agency Council, an invitation-only organization of successful agencies.
Local search is similar to organic search, but it focuses more on local customers. While organic search is based on links, content, and search ranking factors, local search focuses more on location. In addition, local search is also focused on local keywords. A local SEO strategy includes the use of local keywords in website content and service pages. Once you have implemented local SEO, your business website will start showing up higher on local searches.
Another crucial step is to embed your location in Google Maps. By doing so, you will increase your exposure and sales opportunities. The average person who searches for local businesses will visit those within 5 miles of their location. In addition to SEO, local search will help you target your local customers by providing them with relevant information.
In addition to local SEO, you should update your Google Business Profile. This is essential to attract local customers. A business that is local is more likely to get a purchase or a lead. If local prospects can find your products or services on the internet, they are more likely to make a purchase. Local SEO will also increase visibility, sales, and conversions.
Google also looks for businesses that have updated, optimized, and complete business listings. This can be a daunting task, but Google rewards businesses that keep their listings current. If the information on your business is outdated, your local SEO will suffer. Inconsistent business hours will not help your business in the local search results.
Another important step in local search engine optimization is to use structured data markup. This markup is a way for Google to relay important information about your business on Google’s SERPS. It can be used to optimize your product or service and helps the Google algorithm recognize your website as a local search source. It is possible to find a free tool that will analyze your pages’ code and provide structured data for you.
In addition to SEO, local search also involves local media companies. Many of them are now adding local search to their websites in an effort to gain local search traffic and generate local advertising revenues. By developing their own technology or licensing a private label or white label solution, these companies are hoping to take advantage of this growing trend.