Local SEO is the best strategy available to drive local, organic traffic. It begs the question; why aren’t all businesses using it? Believe it or not, 1 in 4 businesses still don’t have a website, let alone an SEO strategy.
Luckily for you, that means that you’ll have an easier time getting ahead. Let’s talk about what local SEO services can do for your business and why they are so important for your strategy!
Optimize Your Website
It’s a myth that local businesses don’t need to optimize their websites. Google uses over 200 ranking factors directly related to the quality of your website, so proper web design will help you get ahead of the competition.
Improving your engagement rates, retention rates, and conversion rates are all gifts on their own. However, they will also directly improve your SEO strategy over time. Without a strong website, you’re building a house on a broken foundation.
Keyword Research
Keyword research is essential for local SEO, as you will need to rank for location-specific keywords. This should include competitor research, topic creation, and a list of long-tail and short-tail keywords for the best results.
Short-tail keywords are the obvious keywords in every industry like “cybersecurity,” “used cars,” or “SEO services.” They have a lot of competition, but the potential payoffs are enormous.
Long-tail keywords have less search volume but also less competition. These are the best keywords for ranking on relevant searches, and they are easier to get ahead on in the short term. Using a wide array of relevant keywords will always yield the best results.
Content Marketing
Content marketing is essential for any SEO strategy, and we suggest creating some location-specific content when applicable. Create content about local events, affiliates, and more. This is a great way to drive the right traffic and potentially build local backlinks!
It’s important to use the right keywords in your content, but only when you can use them naturally. Avoid “keyword stuffing”, as this may harm your strategy in the long run.
Off-Page Listings
Directory listings are important for helping Google find you. However, there are certain listings that are essential for local businesses, especially Google Maps and your Google Business Profile. These need to be optimized, maintained, and up-to-date at all times for the best results.
If you haven’t already claimed and verified your Google Business listing, this is essential. Some SEO services can help optimize your Google Business Profile, but not all of them!
From there, you will eventually need to build backlinks, which are links from other sites to yours. These are the primary factor Google uses to determine a website’s authority or credibility. Building strong content on an optimized website is the best way to build these organically over time.
Find the Right Local SEO Services Today
Local SEO services are the best way to rank higher on Google. Driving local traffic is essential for success. The more organic traffic you build, the better.
Find the right services for your needs today, and keep reading our blog for our latest SEO tips!