Over one-third of consumers in the United States discover brands via their websites. One of the most effective ways for your website to be found online is local SEO marketing.
Local SEO marketing is optimizing your website to show on local search results when users are searching for keywords relevant to your product or brand.
Here is a short and quick guide on how to start local SEO marketing for small businesses by us at Cybertegic, the top local marketing agency in Pasadena:
- Create local content for your website and blog.
- Work on your on-page SEO.
- Add your business NAP to your website.
- Build backlinks on local sites.
- Create and publish local pages on your website.
- Start your local keyword research.
- Create a Google Business Profile.
- Use social media channels.
- Improve your service to get reviews.
1 – Create local content for your website and blog.
Content remains the king. Google can index your website and several factors to decide whether it is relevant to a search query through content. If it does, Google places your website on top of the search results, bringing in traffic. The same rule applies to local search marketing. However, when writing content for local search results, you need to write something relevant to your local audience.
When writing local content, it should include nearby places, or things relevant to your business and customers are interested. This way, when searching for your product or brand, they will be able to find your website on local search results.
2 – Work on your on-page SEO.
Another factor that Google considers when indexing your website and showing it on local search results is updating your on-page SEO. Work on your page’s header, title tag, and meta description. Add alt image text on each image uploaded on your website.
When adding keywords to your meta content, first, you need to determine the target keyword relevant to the page you’re updating. By doing so, you’re helping Google understand what each page on your website is about.
3 – Add your business NAP to your website.
Adding your business name, physical address, and contact number to your website will make it easier for local customers to find your physical store. But you must make sure all the information indicated on your website is the same as those posted in your Google listing, social media, and local business websites.
4 – Build backlinks on local sites.
Building backlinks is another factor Google considers when ranking your business on local search results. Backlinks refer to any links coming from another website to yours. These links can come from user-generated content, guest blog posts, forums, and Q&A sites.
Reach out to local press and work with local bloggers who can backlink to your website. The more links you have from local websites, the more you will likely show on top of local search results.
5 – Create and publish local pages on your website.
Another way to get your website shown on top of Google local search results is to publish a landing page with target-specific local keywords. This will create a different entry point on your website.
When creating a local landing page for your website, choose one local keyword to build. Write content that naturally uses this local keyword and is relevant to the page and the user search query.
6 – Start your local keyword research.
Start with keyword research if you have no idea which keywords work best for your local search marketing. Make a list of words or phrases your target customers use when searching on Google and other search engines. Check their relevance to your business, landing pages, average search volume, and the competitiveness of each term.
Use tools like Google Trends or the keyword tool in Google Ads. You can also use Google Search to look for variations of the common keywords you use. Once you have a complete list, choose the best keywords that will work for your brand.
7 – Create a Google Business Profile.
Google Business Profile makes it easier for local customers within your area to find you in Google Search and Google Maps. Creating a listing for your business will allow you to display your business information, including contact details, your website link, store hours, reviews, coupons, and events.
Use your Google Business Profile to spread brand awareness in the local community. Post photos, and updates, respond to reviews and keep your business information up to date. You can check this guide to reference “How Businesses in Pasadena Should Optimize Google Business Profile.”
8 – Use social media channels.
Social media pages for your business are significant indicators that your business is legitimate and credible. And since these pages also display information about your business, they also send signals to Google and other search engines as to where your physical store is located. Thus, optimizing and updating your social media pages helps boost your ranking for local search results.
9 – Improve your service to get reviews.
Global Web Index reported that 41.4% of consumers in the United States check online customer reviews when searching for information about a brand, product, or service. Many online consumers trust reviews as these are created by customers like them who experience the product and service.
The way to get reviews is to improve your service and deliver quality products. Remember that a happy customer is likely to leave a review on your website or business listings. The same goes for customers that are disappointed and irate. But whether you’ve received excellent or negative feedback, make sure to reply to each review.
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If you need help in your local SEO marketing, Cybertegic can help you. Contact us for a free business consultation.
