The Importance of Local SEO for Small Businesses

Look up the definition of Local SEO on any search engine. You’ll come across something along the lines of “optimizing your website to show up in your area’s local searches more,” which is a good way to put it.

What it lacks is how you can achieve that local visibility, and how you can keep it in check by testing and improving it on a constant basis. 

Below, you’ll find our thoughts on local SEO for small businesses and how move your way up the search rankings.

Here’s a breakdown of the three key factors Google considers when ranking your website.

1. Relevance: The more relevant your GMB listing and website content are to the user’s intent, the higher your chances of ranking higher on Google.
2. Distance: Google prioritizes businesses closer to the user’s location. Naturally, the closer you are, the more convenient. If the user doesn’t specify a location, Google will use their IP address or past search data to make an educated guess.
3. Prominence: Google decides on a website’s “prominence” based on different factors. From that business’s general reputation and backlinks to what the directories and online reviews say about it, Google collects that data all.

And Where Will Your Website Show Up After Local SEO?

Once you follow all the practices mentioned below consistently, you’ll eventually rank higher on Google.

How will I know, you ask? 

You will know, because your website will show up on top of the search results in:

• Local search engine result page (SERP) 
• Local Maps Results

You now know the significance of establishing your authority in your business’s local areas and regions. Let’s start going through the best 6 local SEO for small business practices for beginners.

• Specify Your Address & Location
  • Start by making your business address available on your website.
  • Help search engines connect you with potential customers searching for what you offer nearby by adding address and local information.
  • Think of it as a big sign that reads “WE’RE HERE” to anyone searching for answers, services, or commodities in the area.
  • Make sure your NAP is added on your GMB Profile.
• Set Up Your Google My Business Profile
• • Google My Business (GMB) is your ticket to local SEO success. Your GMB account will help potential customers find your contact info, browse photos, leave reviews, or check your previous reviews. It’s technically the online version of word-of-mouth. But a verified GMB profile can also be more than that and help you check:
    • Listing Views: See how many times people saw your GMB profile in search results.
    • Search Visibility: Understand how often your listing appears in searches for relevant keywords.
    • Customer Actions: Track how many people clicked on your website, called your business, or requested directions.
    • Source of Discovery: Discover how customers are finding you.
• Mobile First Optimizations
  • Did you even know that 78% of local mobile searches result in a purchase at a physical store?
  • Neither small nor big businesses can afford to ignore the power of smartphones. The reason is simple: the potential is too high.
    • Note that searches for “near me” on mobile devices have also increased by 250% since 2017.
• Local SEO Citations
  • Imagine citations (these are online listings across directories like Yelp or local news websites) as your business’s digital address book.
  • Make sure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are exactly the same across all platforms to show Google you’re being consistent with your marketing efforts.
• On-Site Location-Specific SEO
  • Make sure that the specific location you’re targeting is mentioned in your content. You can even create location-based pages and content plans to highlight your local expertise. 
  • Talk about and promote local industry gatherings, news, employee stories, and other local-specific content on your blog
  • Add Local Schema to your contact page.
  • Note: Google is getting smarter when it comes to search engine optimization techniques. So, don’t just write for the engines, write for the reader.
• Local SEO Audit
  • Your website needs an audit every once in a while. After all, how can you know your efforts haven’t been in vain if there’s nothing to compare your achievement with?
  • Different audits should involve:
    • Google My Business profile optimization problems
    • On-page optimization issues
    • Citation inconsistencies
    • Link-building improvements

It’s now more important than ever to show Google that you are trying to interact with your audience on all of your active platforms. 

If you haven’t been in touch with your audience, it’s not too late. Start by actively engaging with your social media audience and responding to online reviews, both positive and negative.

If you have any regulars or happy clientele, encourage them to leave reviews on your Google My Business profile and other relevant platforms. You can also turn on GMB Messaging, which allows you to receive and respond to messages on Google Maps — This is a new feature that helps Local SEO for Small Businesses.

Here are this guide’s final words to you: remember that SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Be consistent in your efforts and in time, you’ll see your efforts bearing sweet fruits.

Are You Showing Up at the Top of Google?

If not, don’t miss out on valuable local leads! At Momentum, we help small businesses like yours achieve top ranking in local search results.

Schedule a free demo today!