Local SEO: Why Does It Matter?
If you’re a business owner, you’ve likely heard about the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) for your website. But what is local SEO?
Local SEO is the practice of optimizing your website and online presence to improve visibility in local search results. For example, if you own a coffee shop in Seattle, you want your website to appear at the top of search results when someone in Seattle searches for “coffee shops near me.”
Prior to the dawn of the internet, local businesses needed to rely on word-of-mouth to build legitimacy, but all of that has now changed with review sites such as Google Business and Yelp. No longer do you need to hope that prior customers are saying kind things about you; you can now directly see what locals are saying about your business.
Here are a few reasons why local SEO matters:
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Increases online visibility: With so many businesses competing for attention online, it’s essential to have a strong local SEO strategy in place to ensure that your business is visible to potential customers in your area. When your business appears at the top of local search results, it can lead to increased website traffic, phone calls, and foot traffic to your physical location.
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Targets local customers: Local SEO helps you target customers who are most likely to visit your physical location. By optimizing your website and online listings with local keywords and information, you’re more likely to attract customers who are searching for businesses like yours in your area.
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Builds trust and credibility: When your business appears at the top of local search results, it sends a message to potential customers that your business is reputable and trustworthy. This can help build trust and credibility, making it more likely that customers will choose your business over your competitors.
So, how can you improve your local SEO? Here are a few strategies to consider:
- Optimize your website with local keywords, such as your city or region.
- Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing, including your business name, address, phone number, and hours of operation.
- Get listed in local directories, such as Yelp and Yellow Pages.
- Encourage customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business listing and other review sites.
- Launch a PPC campaign, targeting location. We suggest trusting the SMB digital marketing professionals for this one!
By focusing on local SEO, you can improve your online visibility, attract more local customers, and build trust and credibility for your business. Don’t neglect the power of local SEO in your overall digital marketing strategy!