Local SEO is a marketing strategy that targets and optimizes for geographic locations. It involves using specific techniques to improve a business’s online presence in their local area, making it easier for potential customers to find them.
Running a successful local SEO campaign requires more than just creating a Google My Business profile and hoping for the best. It takes planning and consistent effort to see significant results. This guide will discuss seven things you need to consider when running a successful local SEO campaign.
But before that….
Before we dive into the necessary components of a local SEO campaign, let’s quickly discuss why it is essential for businesses to invest in this strategy and partner with a local SEO company Canada. With the rise of mobile usage and voice search, more and more people are using online platforms to find local businesses. In fact, according to Google, 46% of all searches have local intent.
By optimizing your website and online presence for local search, you increase your chances of being found by potential customers in your area. This can lead to higher website traffic, more foot traffic to your physical location, and, ultimately, increased sales.
Now that we understand the importance of local SEO, let’s look at seven things you need to consider when running a campaign.
The first step in any local SEO campaign is to identify keywords relevant to your business and location. These can include terms such as “near me,” “best in [city],” or “local [service].” Once you have a list of relevant keywords, incorporate them into your website’s content, meta tags, and URLs. This will help search engines understand the location and relevance of your business.
Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool that allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. It’s essential to claim and optimize your GMB profile as it is one of the primary ways customers will find your business online. Ensure you provide accurate information such as your business name, address, phone number, and website. You can also add photos, respond to reviews, and post updates on your GMB profile.
Apart from GMB, there are several other online directories and review sites where you can list your business. These include Yelp, Bing Places, TripAdvisor, and Facebook Business Pages. Make sure to claim and optimize your listings on these platforms as well. This will help customers find your business online and improve your search engine rankings.
Creating content tailored to local areas with local keywords can enhance local SEO performance. This strategy involves developing distinct location pages on your website and sharing relevant content like local news, event updates, or insights on local businesses, amenities, and community matters. Make sure to include local keywords in your content, meta tags, and URLs for better visibility.
Online reviews are essential for local SEO as they provide social proof of your business’s credibility and quality. Positive reviews can also improve your search engine rankings. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, or Facebook. You can also respond to positive or negative reviews to show that you value customer feedback.
Backlinks from reputable websites can significantly improve your search engine rankings. Contact local businesses, organizations, or influencers in your area and ask them to link back to your website. You can also create guest posts for relevant websites and include a link back to your business.
Social media is another powerful tool for local SEO. Creating and sharing engaging content can attract local followers and potentially reach a wider audience. Social media platforms also allow for location tagging, making it easier for users to find your business when searching for local services.
In short, local SEO is crucial for businesses looking to attract customers from specific geographic areas. Implementing these strategies can improve your search engine rankings and increase your online visibility in the local market. Remember to regularly monitor and analyze your efforts to make any necessary adjustments and continually drive traffic to your website. Additionally, staying up-to-date with developments in local search algorithms can also help you stay ahead of the competition.
If you’re looking for professional help with running your local SEO campaign, partner with United SEO, the top local SEO company in Canada. Our team of experts specializes in optimizing local businesses’ online presence to attract more customers and increase revenue. With our bespoke strategies and extensive experience, we can help take your business to the next level.