Local search engine optimisation (SEO) is a crucial part of any small business’s digital marketing strategy. It involves optimising your website and online presence to improve your visibility in local search results. With more and more people using search engines like Google to find local businesses, it’s essential to ensure your business is easily found online. In this article, we’ll explore some effective ways to improve your small business’s local SEO.
Optimise Your Google My Business Profile
Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool from Google that allows you to manage your business’s online presence across Google, including search results and Google Maps. Optimizing your GMB profile is one of the most important steps you can take to improve your local SEO.
Here are some tips for optimizing your GMB profile:
>>> Ensure your business information is accurate and up-to-date, including your business name, address, phone number, and website.
>>> Choose the most relevant categories for your business.
>>> Add photos to your profile, including a profile picture, cover photo, and photos of your products or services.
>>> Encourage customers to leave reviews on your GMB profile.
Use Local Keywords
Keywords are words or phrases that people search for in search engines. Using local keywords can help your business appear in local search results. For example, if you’re a bakery in New York, you might target keywords like “New York bakery” or “best bakery in New York.”
Here are some tips for using local keywords:
>>> Include your city or region in your website’s title tags and meta descriptions.
>>> Use local keywords in your website’s content, including your homepage, product or service pages, and blog posts.
>>> Use local keywords in your GMB profile, including your business name and description.
Build Local Citations
A citation is any online mention of your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP). Building local citations can help improve your local SEO by signaling to search engines that your business is located in a particular area.
Here are some tips for building local citations:
>>> List your business on online directories, such as Yelp, Yellow Pages, and Foursquare.
>>> Ensure your NAP information is consistent across all online directories.
>>> List your business on local directories, such as your city’s chamber of commerce or tourism board.
Get Backlinks from Local Websites
Backlinks are links from other websites to your website. Getting backlinks from local websites can help improve your local SEO by signaling to search engines that your business is located in a particular area.
Here are some tips for getting backlinks from local websites:
>>> Reach out to local bloggers or journalists and ask them to write about your business.
>>> Participate in local events or sponsor local organizations, which can lead to backlinks from their websites.
>>> Create content that is relevant to your local community, which may be shared and linked to by other local websites.
Use Social Media
Social media can be a powerful tool for improving your local SEO. Here are some tips for using social media:
>>> Use local hashtags in your posts, which can help your posts appear in local search results.
>>> Encourage customers to leave reviews on your social media profiles, which can help improve your online reputation.
>>> Share content that is relevant to your local community, which can help you build a local following.
Create Local Content
Creating content that is relevant to your local community can help improve your local SEO by signaling to search engines that your business is located in a particular area.
Here are some tips for creating local content:
>>> Write blog posts about local events or news.
>>> Create videos that showcase your business and your local community.
>>> Create infographics that highlight local data or statistics.
Whether you’re a small-medium independent business, a new business or an established company, you can achieve successful business growth using effective local SEO strategies.
Around 86% of customers use search engines to discover local businesses, demonstrating the importance of connecting with these customers. Our local SEO experts will ensure that your business is seen by more of your local target audience through our local SEO services.