Local SEO: The Secret To The Online Success of Any Business
Bigger is better, as they say. And well, that old adage holds true for many things. But there are times when that may also lead to our downfall. There’s nothing wrong with going big. In fact, if you look at it, we eventually go there anyway if we do things right. But there are some things that you really need to slowly build from a solid foundation to the highest point.
The modern era is punctuated by the advent of technology. The sharing of information has never been more prevalent as it is now. It is no longer bound within the limitations of time and distance. Because of the Internet, information is so readily available.
People rely heavily on their smart devices and the Internet on a daily basis. There is not a single day that you, dear reader, do not touch your smartphone or browse the web for information.
And that is why information is the key to all this. There’s an inquiry and there’s an answer.
Now, search engine optimization is the mechanism through which answers are shown to users. And naturally, we’re going to assume that the top result is the most reliable one.
Say, for example, you’re looking for a nearby restaurant to eat at. Lo and behold, there are a couple of restaurants close to you. But which among them are you going to perceive to be the one you want to eat at? Well, you’re going to be choosing from the top results. Not only are we programmed to think that top results mean top quality, we’re also confined within the limits of time. We want results quick and people aren’t going to pore over every search result.
That is how you get the upper hand on your competitors who aren’t on the first page of search results. And very much like a house, you’re going to start at the foundation. You want to dominate the local market first before you even begin to move your SEO campaign on a national scale. Here are 3 ways how:
Invest in Business Citations
With local SEO campaigns, the people who are searching for a particular item — be it a restaurant, lodging, or a niche store — are almost always ready to purchase. This means that they are already initially interested in doing business with you. When you rank high in local search results, your business is bound to get near-instant sales, especially if you have a physical location.
Now, the tipping point is when the users start to look for proof of the quality of your products and services. Online review platforms, like Yelp, are popular sites that users check to assess a particular business. This is one of the best ways of ranking your business for local searches.
Sort Out Your Maps
Not only are you able to provide accurate information as to where your business is located, you are also providing Google with additional clues based on the content of your website. If your site has quality content, it’s bound to rank even higher in local SEO.
Google My Business
As previously established, information is key. A Google My Business listing is going to contain vital information on your business in a concise manner. This is the part where you need to make sure that the information you provide, such as your business name, address, and contact number, are all accurate.
