What is Local SEO?: Everything You Need to Know

Today, shop, stores, and local establishments need to optimize their websites so their customers can find them. With this in mind, companies of all sizes are investing in SEO to attract more customers.

That said, many of these businesses are still making big marketing mistakes. And, one of these is ignoring local SEO.

So, what is local SEO? Let’s check it out.

What is Local SEO?

Most marketers and business owners are familiar with the concept of search engine optimization or SEO. Local SEO is a variation of search engine optimization. It focuses on optimizing your website to appear on organic search results for local queries.

In other words, it’s the process of adjusting your site to promote your products to customers in your area at the right time. Local SEO employs a variety of elements to help localize your company. These include your:

• Phone number
• Local address
• Opening hours

The listing also includes client or customer reviews.

The Elements of Local Search Engine Optimization

There are different elements Google uses to deduce your company’s service area. These all give you an advantage over your competitors. These include:

Location

You can improve your local SEO by adding your company’s location to your website. This can be a:

• Neighborhood
• City
• State
• Specific country

It all depends on your service area. Also, companies that have different service areas have to create individual pages. This allows them to attract traffic from specific regions.

Reviews and Ratings

Reviews and ratings are a big influencer for online shoppers. 68% of online shoppers admit that user reviews influence their shopping decisions.

Having honest, positive ratings can help convince your customers to pay for your product or service. It can also help boost your local SEO ranking.

Claiming Your Business Online

One of the best features Google currently offers is the ability to claim your “My Business” listing. Besides tracking your reviews, Google My Business listings help your company appear on other service pages. These include:

• Local Search
• Google+
• Google Maps

All these help customers find your shop of office.

Business Directories

Google and other search engines also use business directories to help bolster your local SEO. Creating and updating business pages on directories such as Yelp will boost your ranking and give you more credibility. That said, you have to verify that all the contact details are the same across each platform.

Backlink Building

Getting links from local websites such as newspapers can improve your local SEO rankings. Quality backlinks have a double impact because they improve your SEO and give Google another location indicator.

Boosting Your Local SEO Ranking

Answering the question “what is local SEO?” is the easy part. Now, it’s time to optimize your site. If you want to learn more about boosting your local SEO ranking or need help setting it up, get in touch with 904 SEO today.

Our team of local SEO specialists can help you boost your ranking and target your local audience.