The one challenge that every business has in common is competitorsIt is an unavoidable reality that all entrepreneurs share across all sectorsindustriesSuccess hinges on more than just unique goods or high-quality services; you need to stand outelevate your visibility amongst the sea of other businessesIt may sound simple on paperHowever, it is a lot harder to overcome companies whose local listings are automatically generated or beat enterprises that have search engine optimization for years.
If that wasn’t enough, there’s also the challenge of solving the perpetually evolving ranking factors of GoogleThe search engine can quickly disrupt campaigns with unexpected updates in its algorithm if the business fails to stay on top of new changestrendsIt is for this reason that business owners must always keep abreast of everything about SEOAs difficult as the task might appear to be, it isn’t an impossibility.
Here are a few of the best local SEO strategies to help your digital marketing efforts.
CreateOptimize the Google Business Account of the Company
The optimization of a company’s Google listing is an effective strategy to elevate its visibility in the local results of the search engineHowever, to gain access to its online business profileoptimize it, you’ll need an account that is associated with it firstThe process behind its creation is relatively simplestraightforwardBut once all of the information requested has been entered into the account’s dashboard, it will be automatically added into the profile, which will then appear on search results, the knowledge panel,even Google mapsTo ensure that your business’s Google profile is correctly fully optimized, here are a few guidelines to follow:
- Verify the ownership of your business once you’ve created its Google business account.
- Make sure that all of the information posted is up-to-dateaccurate.
- Include opening hours, accepted payment methods, goodssolutions offered, your company’s logo,any other relevant information.
- Encourage all of your existing customers to write a review of their experiences with your business over the internet.
- Remain sincere when you respond to reviews, both positivenegative.
- Publish posts like special offersnew offerings on the page of your business profile.
Persuade Satisfied Customers to Review your Business
These days, it is a fairly common practice for businesses to persuade their satisfied customers to leave reviews regarding their Experience with the company, products, or servicesAfter all, most consumers treat these reviews in the same way that they do their personal recommendationsNot only does this optimize your online listinghelp the company gain more exposureBut it also encourages more people to do business with you, serving as one of the best local SEO strategies to adoptTo encourage them to write a review, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Incorporate a process wherein a survey is automatically generated for customers upon the completion of a sale.
- Make sure that an email is sent after every purchase to ask your customers to write their reviews.
- Always respond to reviews in a respectfulprofessional manner, regardless of what is written.
- Screen customers before letting them leave reviewsDoing so will maximize the chances for favorable feedback for your review response service.
Don’t Overlook Voice Search
With the increasing use of voice search, there’s no denying that it’ll growbecome used more in the years to comeAs such, it makes sense to get ahead of the curboptimize your SEO efforts for voice searchWhat this means is that it will be more favorable to use long-tail keywords because that’s how most users utilize voice search as opposed to the traditional way of searchingYou’ll also need to make minor adjustments to search engine optimization of your content to ensure that it fits a more conversational tone.
Another factor to consider when you’re optimizing for voice search is user intent because they’re generally performed whenever people are in need of specific pieces of infoIf they’re cookingask for the conversion of cups to tablespoons, they’ll be expecting fast answers.
Produce Content that are Rooted on Local Events or News
There are a few things more effective in catching the eyes of your local customers than producing content that relates or speaks locallySome techniquesstrategies include the following:
- Let your blog posts be driven by local events, news stories,activities.
- Produce videos about local events that are supported by your company.
- Establish web pages that are location-specific with quality content locally if the business supports multiple regions.
If you run a local real estate agency, for example, you can set up different web pages for every locationEach of these pages can then feature localized content that revolve around events, news,other stories on your industry’s marketDoing so will help you rank higher for specific locations.
Mobile Optimization is Key
Statistics show that the number of active internet mobile users have exceeded those who use desktoplaptop computersBecause of this, it is crucial to ensure that your website is optimized for mobile devices like smartphonestabletsHere are a few things to keep in mind:
- The website must be able to load in three seconds or less.
- Fonts that are bigger will make text easier to read on mobile.
- Images should be used sparingly for the mobile version of your website.
- An intuitive user interface can go a long way in enhancing the experience.
Focus on Local Keywords
The keywords that you choose must always be relevant to customers who are local to the areaThe keyword planner tool of Google will let you filter your searches for these phrasesterms on location so that you’ll be able to get the popular keywords used for specific regions.
Search engine optimization practices can change rapidlyAnd if you fail to keep up with the updates to the algorithmbest practices, you won’t be able to generate exposure for your businessBut with these best local SEO tips, you’ll help your business rise through the ranks of the search results.