{"id":20985,"date":"2023-11-14T13:30:01","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T13:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c1mdev.com\/c1m.ai\/?p=20985"},"modified":"2024-10-22T09:00:57","modified_gmt":"2024-10-22T09:00:57","slug":"how-to-boost-your-online-presence-with-local-seo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c1mdev.com\/c1m.ai\/how-to-boost-your-online-presence-with-local-seo\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Boost Your Online Presence With Local SEO"},"content":{"rendered":"

Local search<\/span> is essential for the success<\/span> of small businesses<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>It\u2019s how your business<\/span> stays\u00a0<\/span>relevant<\/span>\u00a0and gets found by potential customers<\/span> in your area. A stunning 80% of\u00a0<\/span>consumers use\u00a0<\/span>search engines<\/span> to find local information. If you\u2019re not set up to<\/span> capture these customers<\/span> using local SEO<\/span>, you\u2019re missing out in a big way.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>But local SEO<\/span> is a little different from more general\u00a0SEO tactics.<\/a>\u00a0What works for national businesses<\/span> isn\u2019t always the right solution for small businesses<\/span> that rely on local customers<\/span>. After all, a local taco restaurant in San Antonio doesn\u2019t need<\/span> to be found by people<\/span> in Boston looking for tacos in their area.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>With that difference in mind<\/span>, what goes into a successful local SEO strategy<\/span>? Let\u2019s find out.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Best Practices for Local SEO<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Setting up Google My Business<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The first and most important step is to optimiz<\/span>e for\u00a0<\/span>Google My Business<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>Google<\/span> has become the mostly uncontested ruler of local search<\/span><\/span>, and you won\u2019t get anywhere without a Google My Business<\/span> (GMB) page<\/span>. What\u2019s a GMB page<\/span>? It\u2019s a free tool that lets you\u00a0<\/span>control how your business<\/span> appears in\u00a0<\/span>Google<\/span> Search<\/span> and Google Maps<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>GMB lets you customize and update your contact details and hours of operation,\u00a0<\/span>add photos<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>monitor and reply to reviews<\/span><\/span>. It also lets you find where and how people<\/span> are searching<\/span> for your business<\/span>, which is invaluable data.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Your Google My Business<\/span> page<\/span> is the best place to start with your local SEO strategy<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>This is because usually when a person is searching<\/span> for a product<\/span> or service<\/span> near them, it\u2019s because they\u2019re ready to make a purchase. You don\u2019t want to miss out on those easy conversions<\/span> to sales<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Claim and Set Up Your Page<\/h4>\n

\u00a0<\/span>To get started using your Google My Business<\/span> page<\/span>, you need<\/span> to log into your Google<\/span> account<\/span> and claim your business<\/span>. You\u2019ll also need<\/span> to verify this claim by\u00a0<\/span>proving you\u2019re the business<\/span> owner. And Google<\/span> helpfully provides several options to claim your<\/span>\u00a0local<\/span>\u00a0listing.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Once you\u2019ve claimed and verified your business<\/span>, you\u2019re ready to begin editing your listing and adding to your profile.\u00a0<\/span>Go to your Google My Business<\/span> dashboard to begin. You\u2019ll want to update the info section with\u00a0<\/span>your hours, how customers<\/span> can contact you,\u00a0<\/span>your website<\/span> URL<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>your service<\/span> area,\u00a0<\/span>and more.\u00a0<\/span>Don\u2019t forget to add photos<\/span>. Customers<\/span> are much more likely to click through to a listing with professional and attractive photos<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>One last but important task for your Google My Business<\/span> page<\/span> \u2013 responding to reviews<\/span>. It increases trust in your business<\/span> and reminds customers<\/span> that you\u2019re concerned with making their experience with your business<\/span> a positive<\/span> one. Respond politely and professionally to negative reviews<\/span>. It\u2019s also good practice to thank customers<\/span> for their positive<\/span> reviews<\/span>, which gives you the chance to interact<\/span> again with a pleased customer.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Create Local Content<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0<\/span>For a local business<\/span>, you aren\u2019t aiming to attract the widest possible audience<\/span>. You want to bring in the attention of people<\/span> who live in your area and are good prospects<\/span> for purchasing what you offer.\u00a0<\/span>That\u2019s why you need<\/span> to hone your content creation<\/span> to focus on\u00a0<\/span>local or industry<\/span> news<\/span> \u2013 you want to attract that local audience<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>One way to create compelling local content<\/span> is to\u00a0<\/span>become a local authority<\/span> for your industry<\/span>. Promote local industry<\/span> events and gatherings, provide content<\/span> that educates, or spotlight local leaders and employees<\/span> in your industry<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>This content<\/span> goes beyond just promoting what your business<\/span> sells. It\u2019s a method designed to get prospects<\/span> into the top of your marketing funnel<\/span> by creating content<\/span> that engages them.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>You can also come up with a plan<\/span> for local content creation<\/span> by thinking about which types of customers<\/span> you want to attract, and writing blog posts<\/span> or articles that speak to their needs. If you\u2019re a cupcake bakery and you would like to attract business<\/span> from more mid-sized companies in your area, start promoting content<\/span> about local business<\/span> events and ways to celebrate milestones at work.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Keyword research<\/a>\u00a0is just as important here as it is for a wider SEO strategy<\/span>. Just be sure to hone in on what people<\/span> are searching<\/span> for in your area. It doesn\u2019t help that San Antonio taco shop to know what searches people<\/span> in Boston are conducting.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Make Your Info Consistent Online<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0<\/span>It\u2019s really critical for local businesses<\/span> that your customers<\/span> can find you easily. That means ensuring your name, phone<\/span> number, and website<\/span> are consistent and accurate across the web<\/span>. On your website<\/span>, accuracy is especially crucial. And you\u2019ll want to be sure your name, address, and phone<\/span> number are in your website<\/span> as text, not as an image<\/span>. That way,\u00a0<\/span>search engines<\/span> can crawl that information.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>If you have multiple locations, be sure to set a location<\/span> page<\/span> on your website<\/span> for each location<\/span>. And be careful about duplicating content<\/span> on those pages<\/span> \u2013 it can confuse Google<\/span>. Put the name, address, and phone<\/span> number info for each location<\/span> on its page<\/span> so customers<\/span> who are searching<\/span> in that area will<\/span> find the one closest to them.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Get Local Backlinks<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Backlinks<\/span>, or links from external websites back to your site, are a critical part of any SEO strategy<\/span>. But they\u2019re especially helpful in local search<\/span>. And they can be easier to get since you\u2019re part of a smaller community<\/span>. Backlinks<\/span> build your credibility<\/span> with search engines<\/span>. The more you have, the higher you\u2019ll rank in searches.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>How do you get backlinks<\/span>? There are a few ways that work well for local businesses<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>You can write a guest post for a blog<\/span> in exchange for a link<\/span> to your website<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Become a resource for your industry<\/span> and community<\/span>, and write about it.\u00a0<\/span>This is especially effective in getting your name and business<\/span> out there if you\u2019re just starting out.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>You<\/span>\u00a0can get links through a sponsorship of an event<\/span>, webinar, or meet-up in your community<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Host a community<\/span> event or network with influencers and prominent people<\/span> in your community<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>And finally,\u00a0<\/span>providing local\u00a0<\/span>scholarships don\u2019t just provide community<\/span> goodwill \u2013 they can also be another source for getting a link<\/span> back to your site<\/span>\u00a0from a .edu site, which is very effective for SEO rankings<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Make Your Site Mobile-Friendly<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Almost all local search<\/span> happens on mobile<\/span> devices. Think about it: you\u2019re out running errands and realize you need<\/span> to pick up some cupcakes for a party later. How do you start your search<\/span>? You whip out your phone<\/span> and do a quick search<\/span> for \u201ccupcakes near me.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0 You need<\/span> a\u00a0website design<\/a>\u00a0that permits mobile<\/span>-friendly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Most potential customers<\/span> will<\/span> use their mobile<\/span> devices for a few local search<\/span> purposes: to find your location<\/span>, get your phone<\/span> number, and read reviews<\/span>. Ensure all those elements are easy to find and easy to read on a phone<\/span> as well as a desktop, and your customers<\/span> will<\/span> come.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Share on Social Media<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Social media<\/span> is an important part of any local business<\/span>\u00a0digital marketing plan.<\/a>\u00a0Sharing those community<\/span> events and news<\/span>, as well as your own updates and specials, can connect with customers<\/span> near you. But it\u2019s not just about that social media<\/span> nurture<\/span> strategy<\/span>. Social media<\/span> can play a key role in local SEO<\/span> too.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Google<\/span> considers content<\/span> that you share on social media<\/span> important. It will<\/span> help improve your search<\/span> rankings while engaging your local community<\/span>. And you can add your best social<\/span> content<\/span> to your Google My Business<\/span> page<\/span> too \u2013 especially photos<\/span>, which are very engaging.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Google\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Local\u00a0<\/span><\/b>3 Pack\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0<\/span>You might not know what the \u201cGoogle<\/span> 3 Pack\u201d is, but you\u2019ve certainly seen it before \u2013 th<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0listing of three local businesses<\/span> that appears at the top of a local search<\/span> page<\/span>. The Google<\/span> pack (which used to be seven results, and has now been narrowed to three<\/span>\u00a0because of the use of mobile<\/span> devices<\/span>) can drive a huge amount of traffic your way if you appear<\/span>\u00a0in it<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>How do you get into that 3 Pack? Well, it\u2019s all in the local SEO strategy<\/span> details we covered above. Get those in order, and your business<\/span> will<\/span> start climbing the ranks of trusted Google<\/span> sites and raking in that local traffic.\u00a0<\/span>You can even beat out big national chains if your strategy<\/span> is solid. You\u2019ll win a spot by connecting to your local community<\/span> and ensuring your mobile<\/span> users have a good experience on your site.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Trust the Local SEO Experts<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Local SEO<\/span> is both essential to the success<\/span> of your small business<\/span> and a bit complicated to excel in on your own. We hope this guide was a helpful overview<\/span>\u00a0of<\/span>\u00a0the basics.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>But if you\u2019d like more guidance from experts<\/span> with years of local SEO<\/span> knowledge, give us a call at C1M. We offer a variety of solutions for small local businesses<\/span> that will<\/span> help you gain traffic, increase sales<\/span>, and measure your results. Local search<\/span> is only getting more competitive \u2013 don\u2019t get left behind. <\/span><\/p>\n

Schedule your free business<\/span> review today<\/a> and get started on the road to success<\/span>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

References:<\/span><\/p>\n

Hubspot\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Local search is essential for the success of small businesses.\u00a0It\u2019s how your business stays\u00a0relevant\u00a0and gets found by potential customers in your area. A stunning 80%…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20986,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[730,770],"class_list":["post-20985","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-marketing","tag-google-my-business","tag-local-seo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c1mdev.com\/c1m.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20985","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c1mdev.com\/c1m.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c1mdev.com\/c1m.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c1mdev.com\/c1m.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c1mdev.com\/c1m.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20985"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/c1mdev.com\/c1m.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20985\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24448,"href":"https:\/\/c1mdev.com\/c1m.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20985\/revisions\/24448"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c1mdev.com\/c1m.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20986"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c1mdev.com\/c1m.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20985"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c1mdev.com\/c1m.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20985"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c1mdev.com\/c1m.ai\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20985"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}