Search engines help consumers make their purchase decisions by simultaneously comparing quality, location, price and reviews of various businesses, determining the best site to display for the user. For this reason, search engine optimization (SEO) for local search is becoming increasingly important to a brand’s overall marketing efforts. Here are the priority items to get your brand’s website in front of your consumers searching online.
1. Manage Online Listings and Reviews
Claim your online profiles like Google My Business or Yelp and maximize your presence on other listing sites. These listings are often referenced by consumers looking to make a purchase and reside in top ranking positions on result pages. Use them to provide visibility and credibility to your business.
In addition, make sure to generate and maintain your businesses reviews. Positive reviews are good but even negative reviews give your business a chance to show your devotion to customer service by responding and addressing their concern.
2. Optimize for mobile
The future of search has legs. According to Search Engine Land, nearly 60% of searches are now done from mobile devices, many of which are location-specific. So it’s crucial to have your website optimized for mobile. Make actions to contact your business seamless for the user by making your phone number and address clickable.
3. Utilize Schema Markup
Recently, we explored the importance of utilizing schema markup in the age of artificial intelligence. This tool communicates to search engines what your content means, not just what it says. It has the power to indicate that your business is locally-owned and not a corporate brand, increasing your chances of ranking for relevant local searches.
4. Location-specific content and keywords
Your content must include local keywords in order to rank for local search. Whether you are writing blogs about local events or creating pages for specific locations, local keywords will help your business climb the rungs of ranking.
Keeping your brand ahead of changing technologies can be a tough task. Our duty as marketers is to provide our clients with every resource available. Let our expertise keep your business at the forefront of innovation and change. Contact or stay social with us! We’re just one call, like, follow, retweet, and DM away.