SEO is the short form of “Search Engine Optimization” (search engine optimization). It is a long-term marketing strategy used to improve a website’s visibility and organic search results on Google and other global search engines.
The main goal of SEO is to attract relevant and specific traffic to your website and ultimately increase your revenue.
There are two types of SEO: local and global. In this article, we will focus on local SEO.
What is local SEO for?
Local SEO is a branch of SEO that works to promote your website in local search results. Unlike global SEO, which focuses on optimizing your website for general search engine results, local SEO targets specifically customers in your geographic area. This is done through a variety of techniques, including optimizing your website for local keywords, building citations, and creating local content. For your website to succeed in local SEO, it is important to have a local focus and be active in your local community.
Why is local SEO essential?
Local SEO is valuable for any business that wants to be visible in search engine results for your geographic area. If you own a local business, it is essential to optimize your website for local SEO in order to compete with other businesses in your area. Local SEO is also important for national companies with local competition. Optimizing your website for local SEO will help you appear in search results for customers in your area, and can eventually lead to increased traffic and business revenue.
How to optimize for local SEO
There are many tools to improve your local ranking. In this DesignRush report on top SEO trends, you can find a comprehensive list. There are also several ways to optimize your website for local SEO. Some of the most important are:
Optimize your website for local keywords
One of the most important things you can do to optimize your website for local SEO is to target local keywords.
- Include local keywords in your titles, meta descriptions, H1 tags, and all website content.
- Try using long-tail keywords that are specific to your geographic area.
Create local citations
Citations are listings of your business name, address, and phone number on other websites. They are a fundamental part of local SEO and can help your business appear in local search results. To create citations, submit your business details to local business directories and Yellow Pages. You can also try to appear on popular industry websites that include business listings.
Create local content
Another great way to optimize your website for local SEO is generating local content. This includes blog posts about local events, news, or anything else of interest to people in your area. You can also add a “Local” section to your website containing information about your business location, hours, and contact information.
Optimize your Google My Business listing
If you have a physical location, one of the best things you can do to optimize your website for local SEO is to claim and optimize your Google My Business listing. This is a free listing that allows you to manage how your business appears on Google Maps and Google Search. Be sure to include accurate NAP information, as well as a business description, photos, and details about your products or services. You can also encourage customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business listing, which can help improve your local SEO.
Appear in local directories
Another good way to build citations and improve your local SEO is to appear in local directories. There are numerous online and offline directories that list businesses in specific geographic areas. Appearing in these directories can help improve visibility and search engine ranking. Some of the most popular online directories include Yelp, Foursquare, and Yellow Pages. You can also try to appear in industry-specific directories.
Use Schema Markup
Schema Markup is code you can add to your website to help search engines understand your content. Using Schema Markup for your local business can help improve click-through rates and search engine ranking.
Schema markup includes information such as your business name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and other data. You can use schema markup to mark up your entire website or specific pages, such as your contact page or local business listings.
Encourage customer reviews
One of the most important ranking factors for local SEO is online reviews. Customers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations and they can be a deciding factor when choosing between two businesses.
To encourage customers to leave reviews, you can add review links to your website or social media profiles. You can also send follow-up emails to customers after a purchase asking them to leave a review.
Local SEO is a great way to improve your business’s visibility in search engine results. By following the tips above, you can optimize your website and, over time, increase foot traffic and revenue.
