Running a business is one thing, but running a local business is trickier. You have a smaller target market, and thus you need to be more specific. So how exactly do you do that online? How will you make sure that the traffic you are attracting is convertible leads? There is one answer, and that is local SEO strategies.
Local SEO Strategies in Simpler Words
If you are running an eCommerce business, you would already know what search engine optimization is and why it is important. It is the process of ranking your website pages for better visibility and positioning. It requires a series of strategies ranging from your PPC ads, social media campaigns, content marketing, and down to your indexing. The goal of search engine optimization (SEO) is to curate your website pages into the criteria set by Google according to consumer and user behavior.
Local SEO is not that different. It only targets a specific group of people based on a local geographical area. Usually, local SEO strategies are aimed at search queries with geotags. These could be cities or real-time positioning when the user adds “near me” in the query. Google then works to try and provide the user with the best possible results.
Why Are Local SEO strategies Important?
We have mentioned that you will be targeting a more specific target market with local SEO strategies. That means your lead conversion rate will be higher than your average SEO campaign. In a way, local SEO strategies are far better than email blasting or social media post promotions. Those two are almost like a hail Mary concept. Targeting locals (people already within your reach) and presenting them with a need has higher chances of business and sales.
Speaking of sales, every marketing campaign costs money. However, it does not necessarily guarantee that you are reaching the right target audience every time you run a social media promotion. That is why local SEO strategies are important; you target a group of people already in need of your service or product.
The moment they enter their query with a geotag, “stone supplier near me” or “natural stone in Salt Lake City,” they are already two to three steps ahead of the buyer’s journey. You would not have to create a need to sell. You only have to match what they are looking for, and you are good to go. Business done, just like that.
Furthermore, local SEO strategies are no longer an option since the pandemic happened. Now that consumers expect almost every product or service to be online, your business should not be exempt. Indeed, the word-of-mouth approach to the local community is always better, but now that brand credibility is determined by a strong online presence, it cannot be helped.
Locals would like to check out your website and social media pages, and you would lose potential clients the moment they find out you are not online. It will be easy for consumers to perceive your services as a scam. When you do not have a strong online presence, you are not trustworthy.
Therefore, it is important to have a strong online brand to drive your local SEO strategy to success. Why? Your clients that have actually tried your products and services will need an avenue to rate and review your business. It may either be on your website, social media channels, or even in Google, and search engines do love reviews. The more reviews and higher rates you get, the better your local rank. Don’t you want that? To be the top business in your area online?
So How Do You Do It?
How do you become the top local business in the area? We will be straightforward. You will need a professional SEO team on your side. They will run targeted ads, optimize your content, ensure an accurate local SEO audit, and enhance your internal linkings. These things may sound overwhelming and complicated, but that is all the more reason for you and other local business owners to hire a reliable service to help you have results. So, the answer is to find an SEO team you can trust.
When running a local business, you may think that you do not need SEO services because you are a small local name. However, your investment may reach people without local SEO solutions, but not the right ones. Imagine all the wasteful efforts. So, make sure you get the right market with local SEO help today.
