One way to increase your traffic is by using local search marketing. More than half of all consumers use search engines to find local businesses. While some of these searches are made on mobile devices, the majority of consumers are still searching on their computers. In addition, most people are watching online videos while shopping. Local search marketing is a highly effective method of reaching local consumers. Read on for more information. Getting started is easy. Simply follow the steps below to start leveraging local search.

Review Your Business – Many consumers read reviews of local businesses and brands to decide if they are worth doing business with. Reviews increase brand trust, as many consumers say that reading online reviews has changed their mind. A local business that has hundreds of positive reviews on Google is likely to have a higher chance of attracting customers than a brand without reviews. This is because Google’s algorithm considers reviews as an important factor in ranking well in local search.

Keyword Research – Aside from using keyword research, utilizing local search marketing will help you identify which keywords people use when searching for your business. Local search marketing includes writing engaging ad copy and contacting other businesses in the area. Be sure to avoid spammy tactics, such as keyword stuffing in your business name, listing inaccurate location information, and creating fake accounts. Spammers will outrank your business, so try reporting them to get your profile up in the rankings.

Citations – While citations used to be an important part of local SEO years ago, they deserve your attention today. Big data aggregators distribute information to hundreds of smaller websites, including Bing, Yelp, and Apple Maps. The big players include Google, Bing, Apple Maps, Facebook, Yelp, Yellowpages, and Dunn & Bradstreet. Similarly, TomTom uses citations to help businesses find potential customers.

Voice-Assisted Technology – Using voice-assisted technology has become a popular method of searching locally, and many households now have a device capable of using it. Voice-enabled devices are the most popular way to find local businesses, and local search ads can be prominently displayed on these devices. By using a comprehensive local search strategy, local businesses can be seen by a vast majority of potential customers. So, what exactly is local search marketing?

Use NAP – Adding your business’s name, address, and phone number to your listings can improve your visibility in local searches. Increasing your NAP (name, address, phone number, website) is a vital part of local search marketing. Local SEO can boost your visibility online and boost your business growth. Listed companies are often more likely to trust a local business – even if they’re not located in the same town.

Credible Content – Using credible content and authoritative off-page SEO signals will help your business gain authority among searchers and increase your presence. This will ultimately boost your visibility and generate more leads. You must also remember that local search marketing requires a consistent strategy that is reviewed at least quarterly. You should never be satisfied with a single day of local search marketing. You have to walk towards it and not just wait for the results to come.

Local Search Intent – People using search engines to find a product or service need an immediate solution. The search engine will automatically list active businesses near the area if your site has local listings. It’s as simple as that. The biggest search engine in the world, Google, is a great place to start. It’s simple and effective to implement, but it requires careful management and ongoing optimization. So, if you want to attract local customers, you need to focus on local SEO.

Boost Your Rankings – Another key component of local search marketing is to get your listing in Google’s first two pages. This means you should optimize your website and online content. Even if you don’t appear on the first page of search results, it’s still important to be listed on the second and third pages. Interestingly, few people ever click on the third page of search results and most people tend to go right to the first result.

Optimize Your Content – Using high-volume keywords in your content is an effective way to increase your website’s SERP location. Use these terms in your pillar content, blogs, and social posts. For example, a local dealership might include a mention of the town it serves on its “About Us” page. Another example might be a blog post featuring the “Best Honda Deals in Northwestern Montana”.