How to Make the Most of Your Online Reviews

Felecia Oliver

If you run a local business, online reviews are one of the most valuable pieces of your local SEO strategy. A steady stream of new reviews is a proven ranking factor, and claiming your listings on Google plus directories like Yelp increases your local SEO visibility. You can learn more about Google Business Reviews in our guide and take action to get more reviews.

What role do reviews play in local SEO?

Reviews are a direct ranking signal for local search. Pair them with quality content, social media, email marketing, and local citations to push your profile up the rankings. These methods can be time-consuming, but the payoff shows up in higher local placement and more visits from ready-to-buy customers.

Why does local search matter for your business?

Local searches are becoming increasingly important as more consumers use their mobile devices to find products and services. Local SEO puts you in front of those customers, and using local search optimization can boost your mobile traffic by 80 percent or more. Customers who find you on their phone are also more likely to come back if they are satisfied with the experience.

Local SEO is a subset of traditional SEO focused on reaching local audiences. For example, a hotel wants to be visible in local search results for nearby travelers, and 80 percent of local searches convert into sales.

How do you set up local SEO the right way?

Start by verifying your listing on Google Maps and making sure it links to your website. Claim your directory listings and create doorway pages on Google My Business and Google Maps so local residents can find you. Supplement that organic work with search engine marketing, including native ads, Google AdWords, and social media ads.

Local SEO has become an integral part of the strategy for local businesses because local search engines depend on local signals such as links, reviews, and social profile pages. Strengthening those signals improves your ranking in search engine results and can increase the number of visitors coming to your website from local searches.

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