Find out more about Local SEO and how it can help your business.
Local SEO is a service I provide, the practice of optimising a website to rank higher in local search results, particularly for queries that include location-based terms (like "near me" or a specific city name). Local SEO is crucial for businesses that serve a specific geographic area, such as restaurants, local services, and brick-and-mortar stores. By improving local SEO, businesses can attract more relevant, local traffic and increase their chances of being discovered by potential customers in their area.
Here are some key strategies that I use for effective Local SEO. Of course this is something you can do for yourself, it does take a little time but by follow the key factors below you will improve your websites local presence and hopefully in time get more enquiries.
If this something you would like me to do for you please get in touch, drop me an email to studio@2you.co.uk and I will get back to you.
1. Google My Business (GMB) Optimisation
- Claim & Verify Your GMB Listing: If you haven’t already done ensure your business is listed on Google My Business (GMB), which is critical for appearing in Google Search and Google Maps results.
Complete your profile: Fill in all relevant details such as your business name, address, phone number (NAP), website, hours of operation, and business category.
Add Photo’s: Regularly upload high-quality images of your business, products, and services to make your listing more engaging.
Encourage Reviews: Customer reviews are a key ranking factor. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and respond to them promptly.
Use Posts: Google My Business allows you to create posts about promotions, events, and updates. Regularly posting helps boost visibility in local search results.
2. Optimise for Local Keywords
- Use Location-Specific Keywords: Include your city, neighbourhood, or region in your website content, meta tags, headers, and descriptions (e.g., "best web design in [City]").
Create Location Pages: If you serve multiple locations, create dedicated pages for each location with relevant, localised content.
Incorporate Local Terms: Mention local landmarks, events, and other region-specific references that relate to your business.
3. NAP Consistency (Name, Address, Phone Number)
- Ensure Consistency Across All Listings: Your business name, address, and phone number must be consistent across all platforms (website, GMB, social media, online directories, etc.). Inconsistent NAP details can confuse search engines and customers, hurting your local ranking.
Citations: Build local citations (mentions of your business name, address, and phone number on other websites) by listing your business in local directories, 2you Directory, Yell, Tripadvisor, etc.
4. Local Content Creation.
- Write Localised Blog Posts: Create content that appeals to your local audience. This could include blog posts about local events, news, or how your business serves the community.
Community Engagement: Mention local partnerships, sponsorships, or charity work in your content to show your business is involved in the local community.
5. Mobile Optimisation
- Ensure Mobile-Friendliness: Many local searches are done via mobile devices. Make sure your website is responsive, loads quickly, and provides a good user experience on smartphones.
Mobile-Optimised Listings: Since local searches often involve looking for a business on the go, ensure your website and GMB listing are optimised for mobile use.
6. Get Local Backlinks
- Partner with Local Businesses & Organisations: Build relationships with local businesses, chambers of commerce, and other local entities to get high-quality backlinks.
Sponsor Local Events: Get involved in local events or charities and ask for backlinks from their websites in return for your support.
Local Press Coverage: If your business gets featured in a local newspaper or magazine, ask for a link back to your site.
7. Use Structured Data (Schema Markup)
- Add Local Business Schema: Use structured data to help search engines better understand your business information. This includes adding schema markup for your address, phone number, reviews, and services to enhance visibility in local search results.
Local Business Schema: Implement specific schema markup for businesses that operate in a particular location, helping Google identify and display relevant information in local search.
8. Local Link Building
- Local Directories & Listings: Ensure your business is listed in trusted local business directories (e.g. 2you Directory, Yell, TripAdvisor, , etc.). These directories act as local citations, boosting your business's visibility in local search results.
Guest Posts & Local Blogs: Write guest posts for local websites or engage with local bloggers to get backlinks to your website.
9. Social Media Engagement.
- Local Social Media Presence: Stay active on social media platforms, especially those that have local relevance (e.g., Facebook, Instagram). Engage with your community by posting local events, customer testimonials, or local news.
Location Tags: Tag your business location in posts and encourage users to check in when they visit your business.
10. Local SEO Tracking and Analytics
- Monitor Your Rankings: Use tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and local ranking trackers to monitor how well you're performing in local search results.
Track Conversions: Keep track of actions like phone calls, form submissions, or map directions from your GMB listing to understand your ROI from local SEO efforts.
Key Local SEO Metrics to Track:
Google My Business Insights: Track views, searches, and actions taken on your GMB profile.
Local Search Rankings: Monitor your business’s position for location-specific keywords in Google’s local pack and map results.
Website Traffic: Look at traffic from local searches and the number of users finding your website via location-based queries.
By implementing these local SEO strategies, your business can enhance its visibility in location-based search results, attract more local customers, and stand out from the competition in your area. Still not sure then get in touch, I can take a look at your Google presence and maybe make some recommendations.