Local search results can serve as the most relevant options to users. This is because these results take into account the user’s location data. For example, if you’re looking for a pizza shop, you’re going to want to find one where you are in the delivery zone right?
A benefit of focusing on local SEO for small business owners is that the competition is smaller because they’re only competing for a position against other similar businesses within the same location.
Here are some ways you can work to improve the local search visibility for your small business.
- Create or claim your Google My Business page.
Creating a Google my business page is quite simple. You need to go to the Google My Business portal and sign in. You will be prompted to select the type of business you have. It’s very important at this stage that you ensure you select the correct category for your particular business. If your business is categorized incorrecrtly or not at all it’s entirely possible that google will not display you in the SERPS at all.
You will also need to input other information such as the name of your business. Remember, your business may already exist within this platform, even if you have never added it. In that instance you will need to select the option to claim this business.
- Consistency is key.
Do your very best to ensure that in all instances where your business is mentioned that all details are correct and consistent. This includes your name and address, you would be surprised to see just how many times this can be wrong across the web when it has never been reviewed.
- High quality directories.
Make sure you list your business in the best quality directories possible. If you employ an SEO company they will cross check the prospective sites to ensure that they adhere to specific SEO standards.
- Authentic reviews.
Reviews have great power in 2016. They often are showcased in the search results. It is important to encourage reviews fron happy patrons to ensure you are balancing the reviews more towards the positive side this is because Google actually takes into account reviews in regards to local search results.
- On-page optimization of your listing.
Once you have set up your Google My Business page you need to use every option available to you, to create a great listing. You want to complete every section possible, include as many high quality images as you can and make sure you are including the targeted keywords you have identified with your search marketing team as being the best to target.
- High quality inbound links.
To have better search visibility this component is extremely important. You need to earn good quality, relevant links from websites. You can earn some through local sitations but you will need to focus on creating content that people want to link to and then seeking out these people and creating linking opportunities.
This aspect is best handled by your search marketing team as they have the knowledge and the tools to provide you with the best results. Building links is an ongoing process that takes constant work and can be an overwhelming task for someone who has no experience with search marketing.
If you implement these steps into your local search campaign with your SEO team you will be well on the way to achieving great local visibility which is likely to lead to higher converting traffic.