You can dominate local search results with a few proven local SEO tips for small businesses. Reviews from your customers are important, and Google looks at these. Social media and Google My Business are also channels for local SEO. Create pages that capture local keywords. All of these steps can make all the difference in dominating local search results. If you want to dominate local search results, start using these tips right away. If you are a small business, these tips are especially crucial.
Customer reviews are a key factor in local search ranking
Customers trust reviews, and reviews are important for the visibility of your business in local search results. If you have a high number of reviews on your website, you stand a better chance of showing up in local search results. Google has stated that reviews impact SEO rankings. Increasing your number of reviews is a great first step. Increasing your number of reviews is a good idea, too, because recent reviews are more valuable to potential customers than older ones.
While customer reviews aren’t often the first thing you think about when doing SEO, they should be. Google uses them as a key factor in local search rankings. One recent study showed that customer reviews can account for up to 15 percent of local rankings. This number is significant, considering that over 80% of shoppers will not choose a business with a low rating if it isn’t rated well.
Google prioritizes reviews over other factors in their algorithms. It is estimated that reviews are now responsible for 15% of a business’s local search ranking. However, reviews are important for your overall search ranking and are essential to attracting more customers. Customer reviews also boost the credibility of your online presence, so get a good reputation with Google. But don’t forget that if you have a high-quality business, you won’t be able to afford to be stingy with your reviews.
It’s not just about getting more clicks on local search results – it’s also about encouraging more physical visits. People want reassurance and confirmation, and a good average review can give them a push. For example, Girl & the Goat has a 4.6-star rating from 465 reviews – that’s pretty good! So how do you get the word out about your business?
Social media is a channel for local SEO
While all marketing channels contribute to website ranking, social media is one of the most important for local SEO. It gives local businesses unlimited opportunities to generate linkless backlinks. Google views any mention of your brand or website as a positive. Facebook is the most popular social network, so maximizing your presence on this platform should be a top priority for your local SEO efforts. In addition to Facebook, many consumers now conduct business transactions via mobile devices, so optimizing your Facebook page to attract as many users as possible is essential.
First of all, analyze your target audience and determine which social media channels will benefit your business the most. Post frequently to engage your audience and keep them interested. Because people follow friends, family, and businesses, they’ll be more likely to engage with your posts if they’re regularly updated. Secondly, post relevant, timely, and useful content. This will create a brand recognition for your business and drive more conversions.
In addition to social media, you should consider creating a blog to share valuable information about your business. While it is not technically a social channel, it’s an excellent content distribution channel for your business. Posting at least once per week will help you create quality content that will attract users. However, don’t overdo it. Don’t forget to follow best practices. Ideally, you should be posting at least one blog post a month.
One of the biggest myths about social media is that it’s only for big companies. It’s a myth that discourages small businesses from using social media. But the truth is that any business can benefit from knowing their customers on these platforms and connecting with them. And smaller companies often have less resources for advertising and marketing. The bottom line is that social media is an excellent option for local SEO for small businesses.
Google My Business is a channel for local SEO
If you want to rank highly in local searches, Google My Business is an important channel to use. The results are increasingly detailed, including question and answer boxes and results in the search suggest drop-down menu. As more consumers turn to Google to make their decisions, this type of listing can help your small business rank higher. Here are some important tips to help you optimize your listing for local search.
First, create a free Google My Business account. While it is free to set up, it should not replace your website, so make sure you maintain a professional site. Once you’ve set up your account, use the Google Maps to get to your business. If you have a listing already, claim it. Make sure to include a detailed description and USPs. This will help people find your business in local SERPs and make it easier for them to make a decision.
Secondly, you should actively generate reviews. Google My Business allows customers to leave their opinions. It is public and visible, so make sure to actively generate reviews. According to a BrightLocal survey, 87% of consumers read online reviews of local businesses. Of this group, 80% would never do business with a business that has less than four stars. However, star rating is only one aspect of GMB SEO. Other factors such as the quantity and quality of reviews are equally important.
Lastly, using Google My Business allows you to post extensive descriptions of your business. You can also post photos or videos of recent offerings. By using Google My Business, you can attract new customers and boost your local SEO. Aside from this, Google My Business is a channel for local SEO for small businesses
Create pages that capture local keywords
Use Google Keyword Planner to filter searches by location. Include these keywords on your page copy, meta content, and URLs. Mention landmarks or hotspots in your region, like the Space Needle, which people may use to find your business. Use your NAP and images of the outside of your building, as well as any unique content specific to your location. You can also create separate pages for each of your locations.
Another way to optimize your website is to use local SEO to focus on specific products. For example, if you sell a wooden cutting board in Brooklyn, you may want to include relevant keywords related to this product. You should also aim to gain prominence by focusing on products related to Brooklyn, such as ceramic bowls. Local SEO will help you target the right audience and ensure your business is visible in local map packs and organic SERPs. For example, 56% of online consumers in the U.S. search for local businesses via their mobile devices.
For better local SEO, you should also make sure your pages are fast. Websites that take too long to load could push users away from your website, resulting in a lower local SEO ranking. To assess your website’s speed, you can use tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights and Mobile-Friendly Test. These tools will also help you optimize your pages for mobile devices and reduce bounce rates.
Make sure to respond to local reviews on your website. Besides improving Google My Business presence, incorporating reviews from local customers can help increase your sales. According to a BrightLocal survey, 85% of consumers trust online reviews over personal recommendations. You can ask customers to leave reviews on your website, but don’t overdo it on Yelp or Google. Also, keep in mind that voice search will increase rapidly in the coming years. Make sure your website is optimized for voice searches, so your business can reap the benefits.
Monitor negative reviews
If you want to boost your business rankings in local search engines, you should monitor negative reviews on your business’ listing. A positive review is a sign of customer care, which is beneficial for your local search ranking. Nevertheless, you may need to spend some time and effort in getting more positive reviews for your business. Using a Listing Management Tool like Hurrdat can help you manage your local SEO presence and optimize your presence on the web.
If your business has a website, update the contact information on it regularly, especially if you have received negative reviews. Make sure to update this information on multiple websites, as it will make it easier for your customers to contact you. Even if you do not have a website, you should still have one, as customers can use your website for directions and special requests. You should also check your local business listings on social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, to make sure you are listed on all of the relevant sites.
One of the most important parts of monitoring reviews is responding to them. While a business cannot control every single negative review, they can respond to them by flagging them as spam and responding in a timely manner. It’s important to note that it’s almost impossible to turn negative reviews into positive ones without monitoring them. To prevent negative reviews from affecting your business’ ranking, you should send a private message to the reviewer. Make sure to sound professional and sympathetic.
You May Also Like:
Keeping an eye on the reviews that your customers write about your business can boost your search ranking in local search. A local SEO service will verify that your NAP is accurate. Any inaccuracies in this area can confuse search engines and negatively affect your local rankings. Not only do inaccuracies lower your rankings, but they may also turn away potential customers. Your business’ online reputation is crucial to your success, so don’t ignore it!
