Local SEO differentiates itself from general SEO by focusing more on web presence or visibility rather than promoting a website. Yes, you can manifest yourself, or your expertise’ existence online without having your own website, just by having an optimized web listing in a popular search engine such as Google.
It turns out that with the recent changes in the algorithms of search engines, they now use blended criteria match in their search results. It is more complicated to understand from the programming perspective, but nonetheless, this makes a “smarter” search engine to begin with. There is no longer room for “outsmarting” Google by bombarding it with numerous links and mentions when using spamming methods.
Google+ resembles like an ecosystem instead of being a regular web directory, because of its influence and impact over how Google returns search values, which prioritizes those that are enlisted to it. It appears that it is done solely for promotion, or just because Google and Google+ have the same mother after all. But the mere fact that Google+ is a powerhouse application that not just enables small business to establish an online presence likened to an online directory, but it is interactive itself wherein customers can give feedbacks and ratings on the very same listing. Using this application can help your local business jumpstart its SEO by building its local portfolio on the web.
As Internet Marketing Ninjas in their LSEO article puts it, the emphasis on the value of usingGoogle + as the starting point of your business’ web presence is that it is a “big deal” if you really want to rank well in its search engine listings. These are the important advantages that one can gain in having an optimized web listing on Google+:
- All results returned to the higher ranked search results have a consistently filled up NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) information.
- The results returned are relevant to the searcher’s location, at about within 20-mile radius.
- Google also indexes the corresponding reviews (if any) and highlights them too, alongside the search results.
- Google provides the access so that searcher can find the business in Google Map, which is useful when accessed through mobile internet which can help the searcher locate it easily.
One of the benefits of local SEO is that it’s a strategy that effectively drives traffic,enabling local web site or page to be incorporated with a smart geolocation feature from Google. This feature is useful, particularly for users of mobile internet, wherein searching for local businesses on the web returns complete information like its NAP and its place in an integrated local map. Local SEO tools like Google + and Google Maps are also useful in more detailed, localized results for convenient, practical and targeted purposes.
The Importance of Local SEO Implementation
According to a local SEO infographic compiled by Go-Globe, a website development company based in HK, 46% of all Google searches are local. And it was also strengthened the influence of mobile technology in market related transactions, wherein it was found that 18% of mobile searches in a day actually lead to a sale.
Mobile devices such as smartphones are also used as an alternative medium for search engine searches that in fact, according to the same infographic, around 87% of smartphone owners use its search engine feature at least once a day.
On the other hand, the geolocation feature of business web listings brought convenience to users,which also attracted more after-search sales. In fact, 78% of the local searches made through mobile have resulted in offline sales. 68% of searches that are related to local listings utilized the “Get Directions” and “Click to Call” features simultaneously.
The importance of local SEO implementation is that it is driving more sales than we can ever imagine. Local SEO services combined with mobile technology, is a winning strategy that inspires local businesses to rethink their ways and invest more on their local SEO strategiesin order to get on board the positive trend band wagon.
Practical Local SEO Techniques
Since small businesses are dealing with a smaller number of audience in a localized area, it should gain enough leverage in order to gain a head-on battle with other similar business concepts within its radius. In fact, there is more competition on this side of the business than with enterprise scale settings, so many are vying for the top search results here. As a business owner, and your own marketer too, it is important that you achieve that balance in being always visible in the top search results, as well as staying relevant to local search listings.
Local SEO strategies can be quite confusing to implement, especially that it is more of a custom fit set of techniques that are subject to many different, area-related aspects. Sometimes, you only wanted to thrive locally, but the standards implemented by search engines are centralized and can be complicated to achieve because of limited knowledge or resources. However, in local SEO, the good thing is that running a local SEO checklist can be made simpler just by adopting a well-rounded local strategy. Here are the basics that you need to know in order to establish a well-rounded local SEO strategy for your business:
- Create your profile with at least three popular, local web page listings. It is important to completely fill out the NAP page on your account, and add other useful information so that customers can know where to find you or how to contact you right away.
- Optimize your web page. This means that you add more helpful elements like high resolution photos, details of your physical store operations, and the overview of the products and services you are offering.
- Categorize your web page appropriately. Local web page listings offer a comprehensive list of categories where your web page can be identified with. You may choose more than one, in order to broaden the chances that your page will be returned in the search listings. Just make sure that the categories you choose is actually relevant to the nature of your business. Take note that these webpage listings functions “smart”, which means it may bypass a web page that isn’t categorized, or that it will inaccurately display you because of misunderstanding with what you associate with your page.
- Claim all your business listings. Consistency weighs significantly in the search engine results, so it is your obligation to make sure that the local web listing accounts you filled with information are updated and consistent with each other. It is possible that you may be listed on other web directories as well, so these should also be claimed and updated as well by contacting the webmaster or the business that listed you, and provide them accurate information for them to update. Tools can also be used to locate these citations faster, as well all information simultaneously for uniformity.
- Drive high quality and honest online reviews by exposing your business in different promotion channels like email marketing, social media marketing, or by asking third party bloggers to do reviews for you by sending them samples or encouraging them to participate in an organized blogger night for your business. You may also put review forms in your physical store and encourage customers to make reviews for you in exchange for a small treat, or some discount for their next visit.
- Putting good quality photos is intentionally mentioned again for the sake of establishing an emphasis on its value over a web page listing. It is common for customers to purchase with their eyes, and having a visually enhanced experience in their local searches can accelerate the chances that they will be looking forward to transact with your business. If permitted, upload a handful of photos associated with your business like its logo, and the actual store including its outside façade and interiors too. This can also help to better locate you. Also make sure that photos are also optimized for mobile viewing.
- You will be able to maximize your online presence by making your own website, and not solely relying on local web page listings. This way, you can present more information about your business, and you can make use of other local SEO techniques and the general ones too, in order to get that leverage that enterprises used to enjoy. It can also help you build more links, and add useful content in order to enhance our customer experience better. Having a website can also enable you to consolidate many marketing and communication channels in one platform, so you can increase the visibility of all the strategies that you use, and for you to gain better control and management.
Conclusion
Strategic local SEO techniques needed not to be complicated in order to achieve success in establishing a well-visible business online. One should just take time in researching and learning how search engines work within its search results listing. Tools also abound, in order to assist you with your SEO efforts. For some who wanted to seek expert advice and solutions, you may consider getting local SEO services. The top local SEO services are the ones that implements tried and tested formulas for local SEO implementation, which can help you jumpstart your SEO efforts in the meantime as you study and observe.
To help you get the best local SEO firm for your actual business needs, you may want to check out CrowdReviews.com’s local SEO service reviews from existing clients of different local SEO agencies in the market today.
Jeev Trika
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