Did you know that more than 50% of all local intent searches result in a visit to a local store within the week? Are you a small business owner trying to drive traffic to your store, both in-person and online? Then you need to focus on your local SEO strategy.
If you’re still wondering why local SEO is important, then you’re in the right place because we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for our top five local SEO tips so you can begin to show up where your new customers are searching.
1. Stay Competitive in Your Area
Your competition is working overtime to reach the top. And they know you are too. When it comes to ranking on the first page of the search engines, large national keywords can be difficult to crack in the top ten.
However, when you target local SEO keyword research, you’ll find it much easier to rank higher. For example, if you’re a tax attorney, ranking for the term “tax attorney” could be next to impossible. However, “tax attorney in (your city)” will be much less competitive, and you can work to rank for that term quickly.
2. Improve Credibility and Authority
Today’s search engines are smarter than ever, and the ever-changing algorithm ranks authoritative sites higher than thin, content-weak websites.
To rank on the search engines today, you must prove that you’re an authority in your industry. And publishing regular and relevant new content is the best way to do that. Back to our previous example of searching for a local tax attorney, today’s savvy customers will look past the advertisements and search for someone they can trust.
You can build that trust by creating amazing content on your website. Write content that answers your customers’ most pressing questions. That information will show potential clients that you are an expert in your industry and truly want to help your clients succeed.
3. Give Your Customers a Reason to Buy Local
People want to buy these days locally. When you show up in your area as an expert, you give potential clients a reason to stay local with their business.
Google uses your NAP citations to show your business to potential local clients. You need to increase where your NAP information displays, as well as ensure that all your citations are consistent across the internet. And an expert local SEO agency can help you do just that; you can find out more at https://www.thehoth.com/learn/local/seo/local-citations/.
Your business supports your community, and therefore your community wants to support you. Allow them to do this by showing up in their searches, and they will gladly work with you.
4. Show Up in the Map Pack
One of the most frequently used features that Google shows searches is the map pack. This is the box of three businesses that Google displays at the top of the majority of searches, especially searches with local intent.
In recent years, the “near me” search has increased over 500% in terms of what people are searching for. So, if you want to rank the next time someone asks their phone for a “tax attorney near me,” then you need to focus on local SEO.
5. It’s Cost-Effective
Finally, the last reason why local SEO is important to your business might be the most important. Traditional marketing is increasingly expensive, and you don’t have an endless budget to continually pay for advertising. In the world of marketing, content marketing is incredibly cost-effective.
When you work with a local SEO specialist, you will see your rankings start to improve. And, as you work to show up on the search engines, your local SEO strategy will give you the most cost-effective method to reach your next new customer or client.
Focus On Why Local SEO Is Important
As you can see, there are several important reasons why local SEO is important for your business. If you’re ready to scale your business within your local community, you need to improve your local SEO strategy.
For more great articles on this and other information for your business, check out the rest of our blog.