Ranking well on local SEO can be challenging, but when nearly 30% of local searches end with a purchase, it’s surely worth putting in some hard work.
Luckily, local SEO gets easier when you’ve got all the basics in place, and this 9-point list will help you accomplish that. With the steps in this list, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying the superior ROI and conversion rates of a winning local SEO plan.
- Create or update your Google business profile. The first step in any local SEO plan is the completion of your Google Business Profile. This will position your business in the local results, most essentially, in Google Maps.
- Produce listings on business directories. When your Google Business Profile is finished, you need to get your business on pertinent business directory listing websites. Google and other search engines utilize this information to verify the genuineness of your business.
- Optimize your website. At the structural level, you need to create a location page for every area you’re targeting. If you only have one business located, your homepage can act as the location page for your company. But, if you have multiple locations, you’ll need to generate separate pages for each location.
- Optimize for mobile. As of March 2023, over 60% of all website traffic comes via mobile, which means that smartphones now play an even more important role in local SEO.
- Create a local content marketing strategy. Local content marketingis just as essential for local searches as any other SEO approach. The difference is that you need to localize your content to cover topics and include local keywords that are relevant to your area.
- Build your local profile, both offline and online. The most effective way to gain backlinks is to develop your local business profile, offline and online. Make contact with other local businesses and websites and get involved with the local community.
- Merge your business’s offline and online customer experience. Local search is a multichannel experience that takes place offline and online, so you need to merge these touchpoints into one customer experience.
- Capture customer reviews. Fortunately, customers are more inclined to leave positive reviews for local businesses than they are with online or larger companies. Use this to your advantage and courteously ask customers to leave a review if they’re happy with their experience with your business.
- Engage with your customers online. Local SEO provides numerous opportunities to engage with your customers online. The most obvious place is on review pages, where you can respond to feedback from your customers.
At Blue Orchid Marketing, we have a team of local SEO specialists on hand to support you. Give us a call at 203-746-5901 or email us at sales@BlueOrchidMarketing.com to schedule a consultation to discuss how we can boost your business in local searches.