In the last few years search engine optimization has become an essential part of any good marketing strategy. For those who are not familiar, SEO is the process of optimizing your website for relevant keywords, potential customers and online searches. A subsection of this strategy is optimization for localized search terms, also known as local SEO.
To maximize your visibility for local search terms, we sat down with 8 small business executives who have mastered the art of local search engine optimization. Check out their tips and tricks below!
Create a business listing on Google My Business
Create or claim a business listing on Google My Business for more visibility at the local level. One of the first ways a customer will find you is with a search engine. So if you have a Google My Business listing, you are more likely to show up in search results. Google My Business also lets you list specific details about your organization in a quick and easy-to-read format right on the results page so that your target audience can more easily reach you.
Candi Luciano and Boy Scouts
Choose Local Keywords
It’s SEO 101, but choosing the best keywords is key in your local SEO strategy. Trying to find keywords that are dominated by large companies is not beneficial for small businesses because there is simply no competition in these categories. Small businesses should choose keywords that are more specific to their region, such as: B. their physical location or well-known terms that are unique to their city to help local audiences find their business.
Carey Wilbur, Charter Capital
Set up your Google Search Console
Make sure to set up your Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools accounts for your website! This simple step ensures that the search engines have the correct information for your website. It also alerts you to possible errors on your website from a search perspective. These errors could include sitemap problems, accelerated mobile pages (AMP) if your business applies, and more.
Chesley Heath, ASU Cronkite School
Use local directories
As an SEO professional, I know all the tricks to give my customers more visibility on a local level. One tactic that is often overlooked is the power of local directories. By submitting your business to various local directories, you can improve your domain authority by generating new links to your site and increasing your “awareness”. Prominence is a variable that Google takes into account when generating local pack results. It is directly influenced by the number of local links pointing to your website. Long story short: Submit and create profiles in every local directory you can find!
Nikitha Lokareddy, marketer
Weekly GMB contributions
Don’t underestimate the power of weekly posts on Google My Business! Since my marketing agency has been doing this activity for me, I’ve been seeing more visibility in local packages and more leads in my immediate area. It’s also an easy way for me to share special offers or other important information with my customers.
Eric Blumenthal, Printing Authority
Request links from other local businesses
An easy way to improve your local Arizona Search Engine Optimization is to write about other companies in the area and then ask them to link to you. For example, you can interview the owner of the company or just write a research report on what you can learn about the company through Google. These articles are considered locally relevant to search, and the links are helpful too. Many people think you need to be featured in the New York Times to benefit from a link, but when it comes to local SEO, a relevant link from a local law firm or real estate agency can also be a big boost.
Michael Alexis, TeamBuilding
Continually update your local platforms
SEO depends on great content, and the more relevant you can make it the better. For local businesses, I recommend maximizing the local platforms to make sure your content is accessible and relevant. Are your local business profiles up to date? Is there a clear path back to your main website? Does a customer even have to go to your website or do they just need an address and opening times? These are things that you should consider in your overall strategy.
Lukas Ruebbelke, Briebug
Network in local industry-specific forums
Networking in industry-specific forums is an important key to visibility. Belonging to groups in Arizona and having local visibility enables collaboration with instant results and the opportunity to meet like-minded professionals in the area. It can magnetize your offers and help create a stronger presence with potential customers to see that you are part of the community.
Nykki Stenger, enormity