If you run a local service-based business, you must ensure you're doing everything possible to optimise your online presence - including SEO. Search Engine Optimisation is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal when marketing your business online, and it can significantly improve your bottom line. Here's what you need to know about
how SEO can help your local business.
Search Engine Optimisation is the process of improving your website's visibility and local rankings in search engine result pages (SERPs). The higher your website appears in SERPs; the more likely people are to find and click through to it. And that means more customers and more business for you.
There are two main types of SEO: on-page and off-page .
On-page SEO relates to everything you can do on your website to improve its ranking. Such as using the right keywords, having well-written and informative content, and ensuring your website is mobile-friendly.
Off-page SEO relates to everything you can do outside your website to improve its ranking, such as building backlinks from other high-quality websites. Both are extremely important for optimising your website for search engines.
Suppose you want people in your local area to find your business when searching online. In that case, you need to ensure your website is optimised for local content searches. And that's where local SEO comes in. Local SEO is a type of off-page SEO that focuses on optimising your website for inquiries related to your specific location.
For example, suppose you run a local plumbing business in London. In that case, you want people searching for "plumbers in London" or "London plumbers" to find your website easily. Optimising your website for local searches can increase your visibility on search engines and attract more local customers, which means more local business for you.
You can do several things to improve your local SEO strategy and attract more local customers. Here are just a few:
This is one of the most important things you can do for your local SEO. Google My Business is a free listing that allows a local business owners to control how they appear in Google Maps and Google Search results. Make sure all your details are up-to-date and correct, add some photos, and encourage customers to leave reviews.
If you have multiple locations or serve multiple areas, create a separate page on your google business profile for each one. Include relevant keywords about each location and all the crucial details like opening hours, contact information, etc.
Getting involved in community events or sponsoring local businesses such as sports teams is a great way to raise awareness of your business and help simultaneously dominate local search results and brand image. It's also an excellent opportunity to get attention by being featured in local news outlets, community websites and blogs.
Customer reviews are essential in local SEO as they provide social proof that others have used and been happy with your products or services. Start encouraging customers to post reviews on popular sites like Google, My Business and Trust advisor, and social media.
There's no doubt that if you want people in your local area to find your business while searching online, you must ensure your website is optimised for local search. Following these steps can boost your local search engine rankings, attract more local customers, and grow your local business. If you would like a helping hand optimising your business, please don't to visit our website.