Why Does Your Business Need Local SEO to Stand Out?

In an age where consumers find it comfortable to rely on search engines for products and services, local SEO (search engine optimization) is crucial. It is valuable for those who want to stand out in their local markets and lead the competition. A report also proves that 96% of customers learn about local businesses from the internet. And it is also proven that the conversion rate of local inquiries is 80%, which is absolutely stunning.

This post will help in understanding how local SEO proves incredible, benefiting local businesses. Before that, let’s find out.

What is local SEO?

Local SEO is simply making your business optimized for an audience from a specific location. Its ultimate goal is to attract inquiries from nearby locations through search engines like Bing, Google, or Yahoo. It means that any location-based results appear through this organic marketing practice. Overall, it brings geographic location-based results up on SERPs, which help people who search for products or services from nearby locations.

The Importance of Local SEO

However, the goal of local SEO is obvious, which is to increase brand recognition, visibility, and inquiries from the targeted areas. Let’s discover what makes it significant.

1. High Conversion Rates

Did you know that 49% of consumers are likely to buy brands with a local presence? And as mentioned in the beginning, almost 80% of inquiries close in. Google has also confirmed that 76% of people who search for something nearby on their mobile phone visit the store or location within a day, and out of them, 28% end up making purchases. This conversion rate attracts businesses to this organic marketing.

2. Increased Visibility

Visibility here refers to an online presence. It helps in creating your presence among competitors in a specific location. It puts you among the top three local businesses in the searches. This ranking position significantly increases your visibility, which definitely drives more traffic and sales.

3. Reaching mobile users

The significant and overwhelming use of mobile phones encouraged Google to shift ranking signals from desktop to mobile-first-indexed search results. This update was introduced by understanding the overwhelming searches on mobile phones. So, businesses have started optimizing for local SEO, which becomes pivotal for restaurants, retail stores, and service providers that expect high sales through footfalls.

4. Building trust and credibility

The impact of collecting customer reviews and testimonials is obviously deep and subtle. This is why merchants or businesses encourage their users to share their experiences on Google Maps. It influences prospective buyers, who make positive reviews and high rating-driven decisions. In other words, it creates a likelihood for sales, no matter how tough the competition is in the local area.

Key Practices for Local SEO

If you want to leverage local promotion organically, there are a few aspects and hacks that can make it easy for you. Let’s explain it to you:

1.Google My Business (GMB)

Did you know that the average views for a local business are reported at over 1200 a month on GMB?

GMB is actually a free directory service from Google to register your business online and manage it effectively. It includes optimization for searches and maps. Almost all businesses optimize their profiles on GMB to attract inquiries online. To maximize value out of it, you need to include accurate business information, like address, phone number, website, working hours, and business category. If you add photos of your office and products, respond to reviews, and also publish posts regularly, customers engage, and the benefits emerge through overwhelming leads and a high conversion rate. So, ensure that you provide proof of your business.

2. Local Keywords

The next point is concerned with local keywords. These are the location-specific phrases that are most searchable. You need to incorporate those keywords into the website. Also, optimize its content, meta tags, headlines, etc. Pick the keywords that resonate with the local queries or searches regarding your products or offerings.

3. Local Citations

It refers to registering a business under NAP, or business name, address, and phone number, on other websites. It is done through directory submissions. Nearly 68% of online searchers click on the NAP to find the right business. Ensure that you share it across all platforms religiously and accurately. Any mistake or discrepancy can adversely impact your local SEO efforts. So list your business in local directories. Also, keep in mind that the websites should be industry-specific. You can also share it on social media platforms.

4. Online Reviews

Reviews consist of the real-life experiences of customers. Practice pushing at least satisfied customers to share their feedback on Google or any social media account. This practice can help you attain visibility shortly because positive reviews boost your visibility.

Also, you should respond to the shared reviews, no matter if they are negative or positive.

5. Local Content

Here, local content refers to the information that addresses the concerns of local audiences, their pain points, or their concerns. You may integrate blog posts about any events or offers, partnerships with other local businesses, or influential personalities. This will establish your business as reputed and recognized.

Benefits of Local SEO

1. Higher search engine rankings

Optimizing your business for local promotion can improve your online ranking on the search engine results page (SERP). As a result, potential customers find your brand effortlessly.

2. Cost-Effective Marketing

Optimizing websites for a specific audience is more cost-effective than advertising methods. These affordable local SEO services require a one-time investment that continues to hook intended customers for a long time. For this reason, its visibility does not vanish, as happens with paid advertising.

3. Increased Customer Engagement

By creating web visibility in this way, you can continue to interact with customers through social media and other online platforms. It enhances the possibility of cross-selling and reputation-building.

4. Competitive Advantage

It can also help in gaining a competitive advantage over those in your niche who do not invest in it. This is how your visibility continues on the SERPs, attracting more customers.

Conclusion

Local SEO is an impactful alternative to promoting your business organically in a nearby location. It can improve your targeting, footfall at the business location, and conversion rates. You need to focus on optimizing the Google My Business page, and content with local keywords, reviews, etc. to achieve business opportunities.