Every marketer understands that one of the fundamental components of any business’s digital marketing strategy is tactically defining their position in search engine results. However, with more businesses trying to create an online presence, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for businesses to stand out from the competition. To get out of this rat race, marketers are now focusing on creating a strategy that focuses more on local SEO.
Why Local SEO?
To answer this question, let’s look at some recent statistics by Google.
- Four out of five customers conduct local searches of items they want to purchase.
- 50-percent of this consumers use their smartphones to do the local searches and visit the store within a day.
- Local searches bring more purchases than non-local searches.
Based on the statistics, people are not only searching locally but they are taking action when they do. So how can you use local SEO to deliver business results? Here are some tips.
Locally Focused Content
When it comes to building an effective SEO strategy, more focus is put on citations, local directories, and maps. While these are undoubtedly important components of SEO, quality content is king when it comes to building an online presence. Since your main focus is on local searches, creating local, quality, and shareable content that’s specific to your niche will give your business an edge.
Claim and Monitor Citations
A citation is an online business reference. It indicates your business’s name, address and phone number (NAP). Citations usually have a link back to your site. They are found on sites like Yelp, Angie’s list, and Google maps. Citations play a crucial role in local SEO. Together with links and reviews, Google and other search engines use citations as ranking factor for local results. Tools such as Yext and Moz local can help you claim your citations. Claiming and monitoring your citations will not only please Google but also help users to find and quickly connect with your business.
Local Links and Partnerships
Links are a key ranking factor in SEO. However, it’s not the number of links that matters, but the quality. Like any back-linking strategy, careful research is needed. Start by looking for links from businesses around you such as local and city-run websites. You can also join local business groups to get links and generate business connections. These connections will not only boost your reputation but help your digital marketing.
Are you ready to see what local SEO can do for your business? Contact JEMSU today to speak with one of our SEO experts!