What is Local SEO? A Beginners Guide

 

What is Local SEO?

 

Local SEO stands for Local Search Engine Optimization. Local SEO means if you have a physical store, shops, restaurant, educational institute, any service provider, or you have a physical store. Then you can increase your traffic, leads, brand awareness, and conversion through it. 

Local SEO optimization helps you increase local traffic to your business website. It targets local customer who searches for you online.

          

Why is Local SEO important?

 

Now lots of people are using smartphones to find shops or businesses locally. Here locally means users write after their keywords 'near me' or 'nearby'. They show your business and directly contact you. 

So, it will increase your website's organic traffic and help you in SEO. It means local SEO is an important part of search engine rankings. 

If you want to create a local presence. Then you have to create an account on Google My Business.

 

Difference between SEO and Local SEO

 

Organic SEO Vs Local SEO

SEO targets improving your website visibility globally. But local SEO helps to capture local traffic or connect with searchers in your local area. 

For example, if you have a restaurant or a garment shop in Kolkata. Then you want to target Kolkata, not Delhi, Mumbai, or other cities. You want those customers who were searching restaurants or garments shops in Kolkata, not other cities.

 

Here are some points for Local SEO -

 

8 Proven ways to improve Local SEO

1.   Create a local content

2.   Create a contact page

3.   Add a map

4.   Add photos on social media and GMB profile

5.   Regularly update GMB profile

6.   Mobile-friendliness

7.   Add customer reviews

8.   Build citation in local directories

 

1. Create local content: - Content is important for every business. Contents help to understand both search engines and users. What is your business? In local business, you need to add 'near me' or 'nearby' after or before your keywords.

Here you can add service details, business hours, rules and regulations (if any), service charge (educational institutes or any service provider), shop closing dates (if you close weekends or any day), offers, discounts. Always mention nearby cities or towns or landmarks.

You may add local news or events what’s happening. Only give correct information. You can write a blog on it and post it on your website. Try to host your blog in your domain. It boosts your SEO.

This information tells both search engines and users that you are a local business. 

For example, suppose you run a local business. It will increase your brand awareness and sales.

 

2. Create a contact page: - You need to make sure people easily contact your business. So, you must add more detailed information about your business. 

On your contact page, you must add NAP. NAP means Name (Business Name), Address, Phone number. You may also add a website URL and email address.

 

3. Add a map: - Our main focus in local SEO is to reach more people and easily find your business.

Now, most people are using Google Maps. It is important to add a map to your site. So, they can find you easily on a map.

 

4. Add photos on social media and GMB profile: - Add photos on your social media and Google My Business profile. It attracts people. Images are more verbal than content. Now, it is more important than ever before.

When users are searching for you. They see your shop's photos and videos. They are attracted to your business. 

 

5. Regularly update GMB profile: - Try to post regularly in your GMB profile. It helps to connect with people. Give important updates like offers, discounts, events, holidays, etc.

This information helps to know more about you.

 

6. Mobile-friendly websites: - 88% of people search for a local business on their mobile.

So, your website must be mobile-friendly. Lots of people connect you in a phone call. So, make sure your mobile number is clickable. People don't like to type a number manually.

When a user clicks your phone number. They can see "This webpage would like to access your phone call this number".

You can get an insight into how many phone calls you have received to your site.

 

7. Add customer reviews: - According to research, 80% of customer reviews factor into their buying decision. Suppose you have a rating of four or five stars. You may get a boost to your business.

Poor ratings like one or two or no ratings may lose your potential customers. The customers lose their confidence and trust in your brands. Reviews are also a ranking factor. Add a space for reviews.

Do not include only good reviews but also add bad reviews. You must comment on both types of reviews.

If someone gives you bad reviews. Try to find out. Why were they given this? Try to contact them and solve their problems. 

Those people who are giving bad reviews, you may check out even they are violating Google Policy or not. Find out they are using an original id or a fake id. 

 

 8. Build citation in local directories: - Citations means NAP+W [Name, Address, Phone + Website] mention anywhere on the web. 

Google bots check all information is accurate or not.

You can also build a connection through blogs and directories.

Try to take membership directories or the most popular blog in your niche. It helps your business.

 

You can create local listings on Yelp, Foursquare, Hotfrog, Just dial, and Sulakha.

 

Local SEO is a part of your business's success. Do not optimize only local SEO. You have to do traditional SEO and Social Media Marketing as well. All these things will boost your rankings on SERPs (Search Engine Result Page).

 

I hope it helps you in your local businesses and reaches your goal.