Local SEO puts your business in front of nearby searchers, and with more than 60% of online searches conducted on a mobile device, local results are customized based on the user’s location. Higher rankings drive more traffic, leads, and revenue. Below are practical ways to improve your local SEO.
What are the key local SEO ranking factors?
The most important factors in your local SEO strategy are the distance from the geo-location of the search, the use of relevant keywords, and the mention of business categories. Proper NAP (name, address, phone number) is also important. Reviews matter too: the more reviews you have on your site, the better. Incorporating social media links into your website’s content sends signals to Google that your business is active on social media.
How does Google My Business affect local SEO?
Google’s GMB (Google My Business) profile is a must-have tool for maximizing local SEO. The profile allows you to maintain your listing and respond to reviews, and Google uses this information to determine how relevant your business is in local searches. Optimizing your GMB profile increases your visibility for both middle- and high-quality users, giving you an edge over competitors who don’t.
What is structured data mark-up and why use it?
Structured data mark-up is a way to relay important business information in Google SERPs. It can be used for any kind of business, from local services to products and organizations. If you’re unsure how to create structured data mark-up on your website, you can use the Google Structured Data Testing Tool to analyze your site’s code and make changes where necessary.
Why does NAP consistency matter across platforms?
While you can’t get away without a good website, you should keep NAP (name, address, phone number) and website URL consistent across all platforms. Whether it’s Google, Yelp, or social media, NAP information is crucial to a successful local SEO campaign. The best website in the world may not matter as long as it’s marketed to local customers.
What kind of content should you create for local search?
Once you have identified the local SEO keywords you’d like to target, write articles that address those queries. These articles should provide relevant information to the persona, not just be fluff pieces. In addition to articles, post videos, audio, and other media to your website.
How do links and mentions help local rankings?
While your website can accrue authority naturally as it ages, you can actively pursue it by acquiring links and mentions. You can purchase links and mentions from other websites, but avoid spammy schemes that inflate your link count. Industry studies have shown that the quality of these links has a huge impact on local SEO rankings, and a listing in the top three of local SERPs will increase your chances of being ranked well.
How important are customer reviews?
Customer reviews play a huge role in local SEO. Keeping up with the latest reviews on local directories increases your online visibility, and reviews are highly trusted by consumers. It is estimated that 87% of consumers read reviews online when searching for a local business, 73% only pay attention to reviews written within the last month, and 48% of consumers wouldn’t use a business that received less than four stars. Reviews appear at the top of search results.
Why does your site need to be mobile-friendly?
Local SEO requires a mobile-friendly website. The number of mobile users has grown significantly, and businesses that don’t optimize their site for this audience risk missing out on a huge opportunity to increase sales. If your website isn’t optimized for mobile devices, it could be filtered out by Google and may even be penalized from search results.
FAQ
What is the most important factor in local SEO?
The most important factors are the distance from the geo-location of the search, relevant keywords, business categories, proper NAP (name, address, phone number), and customer reviews.
Do I need a Google My Business profile?
Yes. Google’s GMB profile is a must-have tool for maximizing local SEO. It lets you maintain your listing, respond to reviews, and helps Google determine your relevance in local searches.
How do customer reviews affect local rankings?
Reviews play a huge role in local SEO and appear at the top of search results. An estimated 87% of consumers read reviews online when searching for a local business, 73% only pay attention to reviews written within the last month, and 48% wouldn’t use a business with less than four stars.
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