When you run a small business, getting your brand and your products noticed is one of the most pivotal parts of building up a client base. For your products to sell, build brand loyalty and create a recognisable image, the first thing you need to do is draw people in to see your content and products. Local SEO is a key part of bringing in an audience for a small business. Read on to find out more about what local SEO is and how it can help your small business.
What is local SEO?
SEO, or Search Engine Optimisation, is a technique used to boost where your business ranks in search engine results. This can be done by using keywords that link to your business or product being included in blogs and web pages. The difference between this and local SEO is that the latter is more specifically aimed at those in a specific area, meaning you can target a more niche group of people more aptly.
The importance of local SEO for small businesses
Local SEO is a key factor in getting your business known and reaching the audience nearby. It is especially important for small businesses which need to target local audiences in comparison to larger companies that are aiming their marketing at much larger audiences all over the world. As the owner of a small business, local SEO is the perfect way to enhance your marketing since it doesn’t require any expenditure. This is a cost-effective marketing solution. All you need to do is identify the most commonly searched keywords in relation to your business and ensure to include them in the appropriate areas.
Doing this correctly is essential as it is a great way to help local customers to find your business. The best part of using local SEO is that it directs customers prepared to buy from your business. This means that you could greatly improve your conversion rates through this technique. This is because using keywords and SEO correctly ensures that any traffic directed your way is already motivated to invest in your products.
Tips for optimising your website for local search
There are multiple things you can do to optimise the local SEO of your website. Read on for a few examples:
1. Claim your My Business Page
Every business has a My Business listing on Google. The easiest thing you can do to improve your Local SEO is to make sure to claim this. It is a simple thing to do, and you just have to make sure it is all filled out as it should be. Since anybody can make changes to a listing, you need to frequently check this and make sure that all of your information is kept accurate and up to date.
2. Utilise local directories
When it comes to local SEO, one of the best things you can do is add your business to any local directories. No matter what industry you are in, there are plenty of directories you can add to your business. This creates backlinks, something that is key to SEO, as well as making sure there are multiple ways customers can find you.
3. Create local content
Another way you can improve your local SEO is by paying attention to what is relevant in the local community. Ensuring to do your keyword research on a local level is the best place to start. Once you have local search terms that are relevant, it is easy enough to sprinkle these keywords throughout your content wherever possible.
What is the role of online reviews in local SEO?
Online reviews are important; essential when building SEO. The search engine is created to promote the most useful and reliable information, and as part of this, it can take reviews into account. The reviews and opinions of real people help to sort the good from the bad. This means that having several high reviews makes your site appear more reliable and, true, trustworthy. As a result, search engines will value your page more and list it higher due to these indicators that it is offering quality.
If you are looking for further help with getting your small business off the ground or are interested in learning how to use SEO to your advantage, make sure to get in touch with us at Adzooma today so our friendly team can get started with helping you!
