A small or medium-sized enterprise that fails to use local SEO services or strategies will likely rank lower in more than 50% of online searches.
According to Google, 46% of searches are for local information. Of those, 88% either call or visit within 24 hours.
Paying attention to local SEO will bring more customers to the business and help you stand out from competitors. Since implementing local SEO can be costly, getting an ITIN application approved and securing the loan seem like the best options.
Targeting a specific area and providing location-specific search results makes it easier for your customers to find you. Using local searches and tools such as a local SEO checklist will help you target the right industry-related keywords and, through modifications, improve user experience and increase your page’s credibility.
There are 5 things you can do to increase your local SEO:
- Invest in a mobile-friendly website.
- Use Google My Places to list and post regularly.
- Get positive reviews online.
- Create local content.
- Optimize for voice search.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
This article examines the best local SEO strategies to employ that cement your place above local rivals.
Table of Contents
What is Localized SEO?
Local SEO means delivering results that are relevant to a searcher based on their current location. It’s an integrated marketing approach for localized enterprises.
In short, a customer uses a local keyword phrase in their search and receives specific suggestions. That’s why a person searching for a coffee shop in Dallas will not receive a recommendation for a café in New York.
Why You Should Consider Applying Local SEO
According to research, more than 80% of consumers walk for around 20 minutes or less to get their daily essentials. Some consumers use Bing or other search engines. These tactics will help you with those search engines as well.
This proves the importance of making your business known in the physical location, since a customer will come directly to your business thanks to an optimized digital footprint.
Here are some of the ways local SEO benefits your organization:
- Increases traffic to your business
- Reduces advertising costs
- You get more customers
- An increase in positive local reviews
- More customer referrals from positive citations and business reputation
- Improves location and map visibility
SEO Local Ideas to Apply To Boost Your Small Business
Naturally, local SEO is more challenging compared to organic SEO. That’s because local SEO aims at ranking in a precise key phrase, for instance, “dental office in Maryland” or “coffee shop near me.”
Your business benefits from targeted traffic to your site when you get your business to appear at the top of every local search.
Here are five tips to help your small business win in local SEO:
1. Ensure Your Website Is Mobile-Friendly
Your website should be mobile-friendly to cater to 82% of local searches made on mobile devices.
Go for a responsive website theme to ensure the content is easy to read on smaller screens. In addition, you will have a lower bounce rate on your site, and be sure to use internal links.
2. Have A Google My Business Account and Update It
Optimizing your Google listing means you’re likely to rank higher in Google Maps. Don’t leave out minor details like including Inc., Co, or LLC.
That information will appear in Google local search results. Besides having a GMB, do not lie about your location.
3. Get Positive Reviews Online
The quality and quantity of reviews are paramount.
Get happy customers to leave positive, detailed reviews, as they are crucial for your page. Don’t be afraid to ask your clients for these reviews. Many will be glad to help you!
4. Create Local Content
Nothing beats writing local content that speaks directly to a person in their locality. Create content about local news or events. This type of content will grow your local SEO efforts.
If your small business plans to expand into various regions, create separate websites for each operating area.
5. Optimize for Voice Search
Voice search is still growing. To tap into this lucrative section of local SEO, learn how people ask local questions, not just how they type.
Customers mainly use long-tail keywords for voice search, using sentence starters like who, what, and where.
Financing Your Local SEO Campaign
1. Bootstrapping
It means financing the local SEO strategies using personal funds–a brilliant plan if you don’t want to make monthly repayments or give out parts of your business in equity. It also saves you time hunting out investments, and you do not need to answer to investors.
2. Family and Friends
Seeking financial help from family and friends is a better option than taking out short-term credit. Of course, sometimes borrowing from family and friends can turn murky down the road. Be sure to have everything in writing legally.
There are no penalties for defaulting, you likely won’t pay interest, and you can negotiate longer repayment terms.
3. Bank Loan For Local SEO Budget
Although banks can advance you a bigger loan than the previous two, getting approved is a challenge.
You need to have a good credit history, and the bank will analyze your income to gauge your ability to repay. This is getting harder today with the looming banking crisis.
4. ITIN loan
The facility is ideal for persons without a Social Security number but with an ITIN (individual tax identification number).
To complete the ITIN application, register the organization as a doing business (DBA) and open a company bank account.
5. Investors
Angel investors or venture capitalists are wealthy private investors who fund businesses.
They typically provide financial assistance to companies with high growth potential in exchange for equity.
Hiring Local SEO Services
If you want to hire a professional to do your local SEO for you, be sure they are able to provide local SEO services for your website.
They will need to be trained in local SEO vs. overall SEO. For example, there is a new change for local restaurants on search. Price ranges will be included on the maps.
Wrapping It Up On Local SEO
Whether you are a medic, plumber, restaurant owner, or run a food truck, you cannot ignore local SEO. Some of the best local SEO tactics include making your website mobile-friendly, creating local content, and optimizing your Google listing.
Visit the link in the introduction section for tips on filling out an ITIN application that will help secure financing for your local SEO strategy.
Are you using any local tactics for your local business search engine optimization? I’d love to know more in the comments below, including whether you are using local SEO services for your business.
If you need help with your Google My Business Profile, contact me today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Local SEO is the practice of optimizing your online presence so your business appears in search results when people search for products or services near them (for example, “plumber near me” or “coffee shop in Portland”).
Nearly half of all Google searches have local intent, and most of those searchers contact or visit a business within 24 hours. Ranking in local results helps you get found by ready-to-buy customers in your area.
Focus on these five: make your website mobile-friendly, claim and regularly update your Google Business Profile, collect positive reviews, create local content, and optimize for voice search.
Yes. An optimized and active Google Business Profile is one of the strongest ranking factors for appearing in the local map pack and local search results.
Many small business owners can handle the basics (Google Business Profile, reviews, and local content) themselves. If you want faster results or more advanced work, hiring a professional who specializes in local SEO is often worth it.
Disclosure: This Inspire To Thrive blog post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Some sections were drafted with AI tools and carefully reviewed/edited by me.
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Hi Lisa, Fantastic post and it leaves many local business owners a real tangible list on things they can do right now to help increase their website traffic, locally. I own a local website myself, ( North Bay Hockey Programs) sometimes during the hockey season I’ll rent ice and sell spots to parents to help develop their kids into better hockey players. I actually make really great money doing it, but not once have I considered doing any type of local SEO for my site. I have bookmarked your post and will return once I plan time in the schedule to reevaluate my website.
Thank you, Brian. I think a Google business profile for your local hockey program would work very well. It does take time to grow but by posting often on it you should see results rather quickly. I can’t wait to hear how it goes once you implement it, Brian. Thanks for your input and have a great day!
Hi Lisa,
I think local SEO makes a lot of sense for small business owners. Getting the right audience and customers who can actually impact your business in a positive way boosts their productivity for sure. Great to know the tips in this ‘how-to’ guide.
Hi Praveen, thank you. Yes, it really does make sense if they are a local business. It works great too for those who change hours often and when they are open or not. These would show up when someone searches for their company online. Thanks for coming by and have a great day Praveen.