5 Proven Local SEO Strategies for Business Growth

If you own a brick-and-mortar business, local SEO and marketing is essential. Marketing to potential clients in your area improves your quality of leads, after reading this article you’ll know 5 ways to improve your local reach.

Google Business Profiles

This refers to your business account with Google, if you Google a business there’s often a panel or map with options that list the business’s contact information, pictures, and more. Local SEO services can help your business be more easily found on search engines such as Google. Make sure to note the exact address, phone number, and name of your business in order to keep all information consistent across Google, your website, and other directories. Inconsistencies can lead to lower rankings and other penalties along with a sense of distrust among potential customers.

Claim Google Business Profiles

While starting a new business should be relatively hassle-free, transferring a website or company ownership is more challenging. Google may ask for various documents and content to prove you are who you say you are. We’ve had clients who were required to send walk-through videos of new offices and asked to send proof of address via mail packages or lease agreements. You want to make sure you have access to the email tied to the account or work closely with your marketing team to get ownership transferred over to your business email. Over half of businesses have yet to claim their Google My Business listing, indicating a significant opportunity for local businesses.

Optimize Local GBP

You must record your exact business information shared with Google as this is what all other directories need to be consistent with. 46% of all Google searches have local intent, which is 46% of traffic you’re missing in your area when you don’t target your specific service area(s). 70% of mobile searchers call a business directly from Google Search, yet another reason to make sure your contact information is accurate. Add photos and reviews and encourage reviews. Engage with comments and questions all of these things will work together to boost your ranking.

96% of search results on mobile take place on Google.

Build Citation

Get your business listed on online directories and citation websites. Consistency is essential in local SEO make sure to double-check your Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) across these listings. To build local citations for a website:

Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile
Submit your business to relevant local directories and niche sites
Utilize data aggregators to distribute your information
Create profiles on major social media platforms
Ensure consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) across all listings
Monitor and update citations regularly
Seek opportunities for mentions in local news or blogs
Join local business associations or chambers of commerce
Encourage customer reviews on various platforms

Optimize Your Website for Local Search

To optimize your website for local SEO and reach you want to target location pages and content within your website. Make sure to list your business information at the foot of each webpage so that it can be easily found. Use relevant keywords like your city and neighborhood, and create location-specific pages. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly.

Optimize for local keywords: Use relevant keywords that include your city, neighborhood, and specific services offered. For example, instead of “plumbing services,” use “plumbing services in [city name].”
Create location-specific pages: If you have multiple locations, create separate pages for each location with unique content and local keywords. This helps Google understand your geographic reach.
Build local citations: Get your business listed on online directories and citation websites like Google My Business, Yelp, and Bing Places. Consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) information across these listings is crucial for local SEO.

Encourage Online Reviews

Any form of engagement is beneficial for your ranking, whether it be sharing, leaving a rating, or writing a review. Be sure to respond to reviews and comments as this shows potential clients you value your customer’s experience and are involved in your business. Positive reviews from customers help boost your local search rankings and credibility. Make sure to check consistency in your business’ exact name, address, and phone number and ensure that these are correct across various directories to save potential clients the hassle of comparing listings. Inconsistent listings can cause confusion and distrust, leading to higher bounce rates and affecting your ranking.

Link Building

Link building is the process of acquiring hyperlinks from other websites to your own. Local SEO focuses on optimizing your website to rank higher in local search results, and linking to other local businesses in your area is a great way to show Google you’re truly locally owned. By building links from local websites, you strengthen your local authority and credibility, making it easier for potential customers in your area to find you.

Local Relevance: Prioritize links from websites that are geographically relevant to your target area. This could include local news sites, blogs, directories, and other businesses in your area.
Anchor Text: Use anchor text that includes relevant local keywords. For example, instead of a generic anchor text like “click here,” use “best pizza in [city name]” or “[business name] [city name]”.
Citation Building: Build citations on local directories and platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, and Bing Places. These citations help search engines understand your business’s location and contact information.
Natural Link Acquisition: Focus on building links naturally through high-quality content, outreach, and other white-hat SEO techniques. Avoid black-hat tactics like buying links or using link schemes, as these can harm your website’s ranking.