When every local business is competing for search visibility, companies need all the advantages they can get. Local SEO services are the edge these businesses require to connect with the community, build brand awareness and increase sales. Today we’ll look at why local SEO is important, and how to get it right for long-term search visibility.
The Essentials of Local SEO
Local SEO helps businesses show up in search results when people in their area are looking for what they offer. For instance, if a user searches for “allergist in Atlanta” and your business provides the relevant services, local SEO services can help you rank in the local pack and organic search.
Local SEO differs from traditional SEO in various ways, and a key difference is the focus on personalized, location-based results. When Google and other search engines believe a person requires services from a particular location, they prioritize businesses close to the search location.
Key Influences on Local SEO
While location is indeed a crucial aspect of local SEO, it is not the only factor Google considers. Relevance considers how well the business description, keywords and categories match the search intent of the user. Prominence and authority look at reviews, citations and other factors to determine the credibility of the company. For organic rankings, website usability and content quality are integral to traditional SEO practices.
The Main Elements of Local SEO
With the help of a local SEO company, businesses have the opportunity to secure multiple listings (the local map pack and organic search listings) on a location-based search query. Ultimately, this process comes down to a combination of on-page and off-page optimization strategies.
On-Page Optimization Strategies
You may be familiar with many on-page factors – optimizing meta titles and descriptions with local keywords, using consistent name, address and phone number (NAP) details and of course, adding location-specific keywords to headings and content.
Looking beyond the standard optimization techniques, many business websites fail to take advantage of the power of city and location pages. A city page strategy involves creating tightly-focused landing pages aimed at nearby locations where an interested customer base can still be found, even though your business is not located there. While location pages are similar to city pages in many ways, the business will actually have an office in the “location page” area.
Off-Page Optimization Strategies
The most important off-page strategy involves creating and optimizing a Google Business Profile (GBP). While an optimized GBP ensures you can rank in the local pack, this is not a set-it-and-forget-it strategy by any means. A Google Business Profile optimization and management service is your best bet for keeping the profile updated.
Additional strategies include building citations on high-quality directories like Yelp, Nextdoor and Foursquare, acquiring backlinks from local websites, along with responding to reviews to manage your reputation.
Comprehensive Local SEO Services for Businesses
Rocks Digital is a top-rated digital agency that helps businesses reach more customers. For results-driven local SEO services, listing management and other digital marketing solutions, speak with our team today. Call (214) 989-7549 or request a website evaluation.
