Everything You Need To Know About Local SEO And Why It Matters
Updated: Jun 25
If you’re a small business owner, you know how important it is to get your business found online. But with so many businesses competing for attention, it can be tough to stand out from the crowd – especially if you’re up against larger companies with bigger budgets. Luckily, there’s a solution. Local SEO is a powerful tool that can help you get your business in front of the people who matter most – your potential customers.
Local SEO is different from traditional SEO in that it’s focused on getting your business found in local search results. For example, if someone searches for “plumber in New York,” the results that appear will be based on their location. This is where Local SEO comes in. By optimizing your website and online listings for local search, you can make sure your business shows up in front of potential customers in your area.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Local SEO and how to get started.
What is local SEO?
Local SEO is the process of optimizing your online presence to attract more business from relevant local searches. It’s an important part of any small business marketing strategy. By optimizing your website, online listing, and social media profiles for local search, you can make sure your business is visible to potential customers in your area. There are a few things you can do to optimize your website for local SEO:
1. Make sure your website is responsive and fast: In order for your website to rank high in local search results, it needs to be responsive and fast. This means it should be mobile-friendly and load quickly.
2. Optimize your website for local keywords: Include local keywords on your website. This will help search engines understand your business and its location.
3. Add your business to Google My Business: Google My Business is a free listing that businesses can create to appear in Google’s local search results.
4. Add your business to online directories: Online directories are another way to make your business visible in local search results. By adding your business to sites like Yelp and Foursquare, you can increase your chances of being found by potential customers.
What are the benefits of local SEO?
There are many benefits of optimizing your website for local SEO. The most obvious benefit is that it can help you attract more customers from your local area. But there are other benefits as well, such as:
It’s cost-effective: Local SEO is a more cost-effective marketing strategy than other forms of marketing, such as TV or print ads.
It’s targeted: Local SEO is a targeted marketing strategy, which means you can attract customers who are actually interested in your product or service.
It’s flexible: Local SEO is a flexible marketing strategy that can be customized to fit your specific business needs.
It’s measurable: Local SEO is a measurable marketing strategy, which means you can track your progress and see how well your campaigns are performing.
It’s long-term: Local SEO is a long-term marketing strategy that can provide lasting results.
How to optimize your website for local SEO
There are a few things you can do to optimize your website for local SEO:
Make sure your website is responsive and fast: In order for your website to rank high in local search results, it needs to be responsive and fast. This means it should be mobile-friendly and load quickly.
Optimize your website for local keywords: Include local keywords on your website. This will help search engines understand your business and its location.
Add your business to Google My Business: Google My Business is a free listing that businesses can create to appear in Google’s local search results.
Add your business to online directories: Online directories are another way to make your business visible in local search results. By adding your business to sites like Yelp and Foursquare, you can increase your chances of being found by potential customers.
How to get started with local SEO
If you’re ready to get started with local SEO, the first step is to assess your current online presence. Take a look at your website and see how it stacks up against the competition. Then, take a look at your online listings and make sure they are accurate and up-to-date. Once you’ve done this, you can start implementing some of the strategies we’ve listed above.
One of the most important things to keep in mind with local SEO is that it’s a long-term marketing strategy. It takes time and effort to see results. But if you’re patient and you’re willing to put in the work, you can see some real benefits for your business.
Don't have much time to optimize your business for local SEO? Contact us to request Wix local SEO services for your business.
Case study
To show you how effective local SEO can be, let’s take a look at a case study. XYZ Plumbing is a small plumbing company in New York City. They decided to invest in local SEO and started implementing some of the strategies we’ve listed above. Within 6 months, they saw a significant increase in website traffic and online inquiries. They also saw a significant increase in phone calls and walk-ins.
Conclusion
Local SEO is a powerful tool that can help small businesses get found online. By optimizing your website and online listings for local search, you can make sure your business is visible to potential customers in your area. While it takes time and effort to see results, the long-term benefits of local SEO are worth it.
Have more questions? Let us know. Contact us today.