Local SEO for Local Small Businesses

Local Search Engine Optimization (SEO), is an effective way to market your local business online, as it helps businesses promote their products and services to local customers at exactly the time, they're looking for them.

Local SEO is a search engine optimization (SEO) strategy that helps your local business to be more visible in local search results on Google.

Local SEO is focused on ranking higher in your local area (MAP Pack). For example, a Google Search for Laptop Repair is likely to be a general search, whereas, 'Laptop Repair Centre near me' has local intent - the searcher needs to find a local supplier that repair laptops.

What is Local SEO?

Local SEO is a marketing strategy that involves optimizing your business for a specific local area. If you have a local business like a shop, restaurant or agency, you want your business to rank for a certain search query performed by local audience. It's Optimizing your local business listing for better visibility within the local search results. This is achieved through a variety of tasks such as:

• Managing Your Google Business Profile.
• Developing Your Local Business Reputation.
• Optimizing Your Google Business Profile Listing.
• Building Citations.
• Monitoring Competitive Searches.
• Keyword Search Ranks.
• Local Link Building.
• Spam Fighting.

Local MAP Pack

The local map pack appears at the top of the search for a local search. Only three organic results appear alongside a map with pins for each ranking business. The order of results is primarily based on searcher's proximity, relevance of search query and the prominence of your business profile

Who Needs Local SEO?

There are number of different business types which can benefit from implementing a local strategy, such as.

• Local Businesses Such as Medical Services, Legal Services, Hospitals, Saloons, SPA, Real Estate Agents, PET Services, Fitness and GYM Services & Many More...
• Agencies working with Local Clients.
• Multi-Location Businesses and Franchises.
• Service Area Businesses (SAB's). Service area business are those that deliver or serve customers in their own home or businesses, across a wide area Like Plumbers, Electricians, Builders, Cleaners, Pest Controllers, Locksmiths, IT Repair Services, many more...

What are the Benefits of Local SEO?

There are several benefits to implementing a Local SEO Strategy. Few are:

• Reach More PeopleBetter ranking in the local search results will lead to more people discover your business online locally on Google Maps.
• More Conversions. With more people discovering your business lead to more people visiting your business website or visit your office in person. Depending on your business type, a conversion may be product sales, service request, account sign-ups, email subscriptions, phone calls, free trials etc.

  A searcher can get your business locations directions, make a phone call, check the opening hours and read reviews about your business.

• Enhance Your ReputationYour reviews is one of the most important aspects of your online reputation. It demonstrates to potential customers why they should choose you over your competitors, it also allows them to observe how you deal with unhappy customers when you respond to negative reviews.

Key Local SEO Services and Tactics

The practice of Local SEO covers a wide range of services and tactics, including:

• Managing and Optimizing Google Business Profile
• Developing Reputation
• Optimizing Your Website
• Building Citations
• Monitoring Your Competitive Search Rankings
• Monitoring and Exploiting Changes in Google
• Local Link Building
• Local SEO Reporting

Setting and Managing Your Google Business Profile

Setting up Google Business Profile is one of the first steps of any local SEO strategy. Once the profile is set up, you'll need to undertake profile optimization tasks, such as adding photos, and writing a keyword optimized business description. GBP management and optimization also involve:

• Keeping the information up to date
• Regularly adding new photos and videos
• Regularly making new Google Posts
• Interacting with your audience
• Responding to your messages
• Requesting for Google Reviews

Developing Your Reputation

Reputation building is a key component of a strong local SEO strategy. Reviews help to build trust and give your brand credibility. Delivering excellent customer service, requesting customer to leave feedback, and social media activities earns reviews.

Optimizing Your Website

Strategically optimizing your website for the local search algorithm is essential. To optimize your website, you'll need to:

• Create Great Content
• Build Internal Links
• Ensure your site is Mobile responsive
• Optimizing your images and anchor text
• Provide a better user experience

Building Local Citations

Local citations are your business name, address, phone number and website on other websites.

Monitoring Your Competitive Search

When monitoring your competitors, you'll want to pay attention to the kind of content they're creating, the keywords they're targeting, the quality and quantity of reviews they're getting etc.

Local Link Building

Local link building is the process of getting links from other businesses and organizations within the local community. This helps search engines to understand local relevance of a business and content being valuable.

Google Posts

Posts are great way to share new information on products, promotional offers and make announcements. Consistently posting help businesses attract attention, connects and earn new customers.

Local SEO Reporting

Reports might include key metrics such as web traffic, conversion, search rankings, new links, bounce rate etc.