Local SEO (search engine optimization) is an online marketing strategy designed to increase site traffic and conversion rates. It relies on localized keywords and signals such as Google My Business profiles, citations, and reviews to improve visibility in area-specific searches. Because nearly 46% of all online searches have local intent, ranking well for those queries puts a business in front of customers who are ready to buy, and local results typically convert at higher rates than general listings.
How do you do keyword research for local SEO?
Keyword research is a key element of local SEO, helping you target potential customers who are already searching for products or services you offer, allowing them to discover your website and make purchases.
Local keywords come in two varieties: explicit and implicit. Explicit keywords may include location or spatial terms like “near me.” Implicit keyword searches refer to searches without specifying an exact location, but Google can still guess the user’s position.
Ubersuggest and Keyword Shitter are effective tools for conducting keyword research for local search queries, offering insights into search volume and trends in a region.
How does on-page optimization support local rankings?
On-page optimization is an integral component of local SEO. It consists of creating content tailored for specific keywords while accounting for your target audience’s geographic location.
On-page optimization involves making sure that your content contains relevant details about your business, services, and products. The more details you offer Google, the higher your search results ranking will become.
When optimizing for local SEO, all online listings of your company must contain your name, address, and phone number (NAP). This ensures consumers can easily locate you when searching on mobile devices.
WebCEO’s Rank Tracking tool can help you identify any issues thwarting the performance of your site by scanning all keywords and giving a complete report on website rankings, providing insight into any problems that might be holding it back.
Why does link building matter for local SEO?
Link building is an essential element of local SEO, as it helps your company rank for multiple keywords and increase domain authority. Typically, link building involves earning backlinks from websites that include your content in their posts.
Guest blogging on other businesses’ sites is an effective strategy for link generation. By guest blogging, you show other site owners your expertise while increasing exposure with consumers.
How do you optimize a Google My Business profile?
Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool designed to help businesses manage their digital presence for search and maps, including local customers. Once claimed, GMB profiles can be edited with all pertinent details that could provide potential leads or customers.
Google My Business listings that post regularly can help them rank higher in results, while adding photos and videos can further boost local visibility. Quality photos make a significant impact on what searchers see online, so it is vital that they are well lit and in focus.
Geotags should also be added to your images so they will be picked up by Google when people perform searches relevant to your location.
What kind of content drives local traffic?
Content tailored specifically for local audiences will help your ranking in search results. That doesn’t mean giving up general pieces; using more local keywords will boost your standing among searchers nearby.
You can write about upcoming events in your community, publish lists of products and services pertinent to it, and create how-to guides for tourists visiting. Local SEO also involves developing relationships with businesses and organizations within your industry, which can increase prominence and lead to an increase in traffic and leads.
FAQ
What is local SEO?
Local SEO is an online marketing strategy that uses keywords and localized signals, including Google My Business profiles, citations, and reviews, to increase site traffic and conversion rates from nearby searchers.
What tools help with local keyword research?
Ubersuggest and Keyword Shitter are effective tools for conducting keyword research for local search queries, offering insights into search volume and trends in a region.
How can a Google My Business listing improve rankings?
Regular posts, photos, videos, and geotagged images on a claimed GMB profile help it rank higher in local search results and maps, putting the business in front of nearby customers.