The Ultimate Guide to Local SEO for Small Businesses
Running a small business is tough. Costs and competition are both on the increase, so small businesses must leverage every available tool to stand out and attract customers. One of the most effective strategies is Local SEO.
This article will help you to understand the importance of local SEO and how it can drive more foot traffic, increase online visibility, and boost your sales.
Understanding Local SEO vs. General SEO
Local SEO is like putting up a big, bright sign for people in your local area, while general SEO is like advertising your business to the whole world. Local SEO helps businesses like yours get found by people searching for your products or services nearby. It’s all about showing up at the top of search results when someone looks for your business type near them.
General SEO is all about making your website stand out to search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo! so more people can find you when they search for things related to your business. This involves improving your website’s content, structure, and overall quality to rank higher in search results.
The Role of Google My Business
One of the cornerstones of local SEO is Google My Business (GMB). This free tool allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps.
With an optimised GMB profile, your business can appear in local search results, the Local Pack, and Google Maps.
Key steps to optimise your GMB profile:
There are a few things you need to do to ensure your Google My Business profile will work efficiently for you. Such as:
- Ensure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are accurate and consistent across all platforms.
- Add high-quality photos of your business and products.
- Encourage customers to leave reviews and respond to them promptly.
- Utilise Google Posts to share updates, offers, and events.
Doing all of the above and keeping your GMB profile up to date will help you to show up in local searches.
The Impact of Online Reviews
Online reviews play a significant role in local SEO. Positive reviews can enhance your business’s credibility and increase your chances of being found by potential customers. Data shows that 86% of consumers read reviews for local businesses, and 57% will only use a business if it has four or more stars.
How to leverage online reviews:
- Ask satisfied customers to leave reviews on Google, Yelp, and other review platforms.
- Respond to both positive and negative reviews to show that you value customer feedback.
- Monitor review sites regularly to address any issues promptly.
By increasing your number of positive reviews online, and by managing these reviews, you can take control of your online reputation and help drive sales for your business.
Actionable Tips for Optimising Local Search
Keyword Research
Start by identifying keywords that your local customers are likely to use when searching for your products or services. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to find relevant local keywords.
For example, if you run a bakery in Newcastle Upon Tyne, keywords like “Newcastle bakery,” “best cupcakes in Newcastle,” or “local bakeries near me” would be beneficial.
Create Locally-Focused Content
Content is king in SEO. Create blog posts, articles, and landing pages that focus on local events, news, or topics related to your business. This not only helps with SEO but also engages your local audience.
For instance, a blog post titled “Top 5 Bakeries to Visit in Newcastle This Summer” can attract local readers and improve your search rankings.
Building Local Citations
Local citations are mentions of your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) on websites, directories, and social platforms. Consistency is key; ensure your NAP information is accurate and uniform across all platforms.
Popular citation sites include Yelp, Yellow Pages, and local business directories. The more reputable citations you have, the better your local SEO.
Tip: Get a free Local SEO Audit below to see where your business currently sits in local search results and what work you need to do to beat the local competition.
Benefits of Local SEO for Small Businesses
Local SEO is imperative for all small businesses to be found online. According to a survey by BrightLocal, 93% of consumers used the internet to find a local business in the last year, with 34% searching every day. This shows how critical local SEO is in driving customer engagement and sales. Without it, every time a potential customer in your area carries out an online search for your products or services, your competition will win their traffic every time.
The Step-by-Step Process for Implementing Local SEO Strategies
If you would like to take control of your own local SEO, follow the steps below:
- Claim and optimise your Google My Business profile.
- Conduct local keyword research.
- Create locally-focused content.
- Build and maintain local citations.
- Encourage and manage online reviews.
- Monitor your local SEO performance using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console.
By prioritising local SEO, small businesses can significantly enhance their online visibility, attract more local customers, and ultimately boost their sales.
Need Help with Your Local SEO?
Implementing the strategies above requires time, effort and consistency, but the rewards are well worth it. If you don’t have the time, let us do it all for you. We can take care of your local search optimisation for you, so you can concentrate on running your business. Get your free no-obligation local SEO report below or get in touch to get started.
