Millions of customers turn to local searches every day to find the products and services they need. If there is optimised local SEO for small businesses that isn’t optimised for local SEO, you could be missing out on a wave of potential customers right in your own backyard.
This comprehensive guide dives into proven local SEO strategies specifically designed for small businesses. Implementing these tips will increase your local visibility, attract more qualified leads, and ultimately boost your revenue.
Why Local SEO Matters for Your Small Business?
Imagine this: a customer with a rumbling tummy fancies a delicious pizza and does a quick online search for “best pizza near me.” If your pizzeria isn’t optimised for local search, you could miss out on a hungry customer just around the corner. Local SEO bridges this gap by ensuring your small business appears in relevant local searches.
Here’s how Local SEO benefits your small business:
- Increased Visibility: Local SEO helps your business rank higher in local search results (both organic listings and the Google Maps Pack), making you more discoverable by potential customers in your neighbourhood.
- Targeted Customer Acquisition: Local SEO attracts customers who are actively searching for the products or services you offer in their local area. This increases the chance of converting online searches into real-life customers walking through your door.
- Enhanced Credibility: A well-optimised local presence, including positive online reviews and accurate business information, builds trust and credibility with potential customers.
- Improved Local Brand Awareness: Local SEO helps establish your business as a prominent player within your local community, increasing brand recognition and customer loyalty.
- Competitive Advantage: By actively implementing local SEO strategies, you gain a significant edge over competitors who haven’t yet embraced the power of local search optimisation.
Where Can You Rank for Local SEO for Small Businesses?
When you optimise your small business for local SEO, you open the door to appearing in multiple spots on search engine results pages (SERPs). On Google, that means snagging a coveted spot in the regular local search results and the dedicated Local Map Pack.
Local Organic Search Engine Results Page (SERP)
Local SEO works similarly to traditional SEO for small businesses, where websites fight for a coveted spot on search engine results pages (SERPs) outside of advertisements or special features.
Think of it like prime real estate on a virtual billboard—organic listings typically occupy the space below advertisements and any featured snippets Google might display.
Spotting an ad is easy; they’ll usually have a clear “ad” label next to them, leaving no confusion between paid placements and organic results.
On the other hand, featured snippets can come in various forms, like “People Also Ask” sections or answer boxes perched near the top of the SERP. Each plays a crucial role in a successful SEO strategy, but understanding local SEO helps you grab attention from searchers explicitly looking for businesses in your area.
Local Google Map Pack
When you search for something local online, you might notice a special section on the search results page (SERP) called the Local Map Pack.
It’s like a mini-map embedded, showcasing prominent businesses on Google Business Profiles (formerly Google My Business listings). This prime spot typically displays three listings at a time, earning it the nickname “Local 3-Pack.”
But that’s not all! If more relevant businesses are nearby, you’ll usually see a handy “View All” button, allowing you to explore the wider selection.
Local SEO Strategies for Small Businesses
1. Claim & Polish Your Google My Business
Imagine your Google My Business (GMB) listing as your shop window in the digital world. To attract more customers wandering the online streets, claiming and sprucing it up is the first step.
Ensure all the details are bang on, like your business name, address, phone number (that’s NAP for short!), website, and opening times.
Don’t forget to add some smashing photos, be a good egg respond to customer reviews promptly, and use Google Posts to chat with your audience and keep them interested.
By doing this, you’ll be well on your way to boosting your local search visibility and attracting more customers through your virtual door.
- Learn more: The 7 Best Local SEO Companies
2. Target Local Keywords
Keyword research is the foundation of a strong local SEO strategy, just like with any other SEO effort. But for local businesses, there’s a twist.
It’s not just about stuffing your website with your town’s name. Think of those folks searching for something “near me.” While you can’t optimise for that exact phrase (and shouldn’t!), it points to a crucial element – targeting “near me” intent. Here’s the tricky bit: figuring out which search terms people in your area are actually using.
While there are free and paid tools like Google Keyword Planner, Moz, or Semrush, you’re not just looking for any old keyword. These nifty tools can help you unearth search terms with high local search volumes, perfect for attracting customers right on your doorstep.
3. Craft Local Content
Don’t underestimate the power of content marketing to boost your search engine ranking. Cook up informative and engaging content that your local audience will gobble up.
Think blog posts brimming with local knowledge, case studies showcasing your expertise, announcements about events happening right on your doorstep, or even handy guides to your neighbourhood.
By dishing up valuable information that resonates with your target market, you’ll attract more organic traffic and solidify your industry’s reputation as a local authority.
4. Build Local Citations and Backlinks
Citations are like little digital breadcrumbs scattered across the web—mentions of your business name, address, and phone number (NAP for short) on other websites, directories, and even social media. Maintaining this NAP information everywhere shows you’re a reliable business and helps search engines find you more easily in local results.
Plus, if you can snag backlinks from well-respected local websites or publications, that’s like getting a glowing endorsement from a mate in the know. These backlinks boost your website’s authority and give you a leg up in local search rankings.
5. Earn Positive Reviews
A stellar online reputation is more than just a fancy website—it’s about nurturing customer relationships. Think of glowing reviews as “social proof” that boosts your rep.
Encourage happy customers to leave reviews on Google My Business, Yelp, Facebook, and any other relevant platform. Responding to all reviews, good or bad, shows you care about customer satisfaction.
Positive reviews make you look reliable to Google by potentially boosting local rankings. Folks trust businesses with shining reviews far more than those shrouded in silence.
So, sending review requests is a win-win—gather social proof and reconnect with customers for potential repeat business!
6. Go Mobile-Friendly
Search engines now prioritise websites that play nicely on mobiles—that’s “mobile-first indexing” for the techies. Even if your desktop traffic’s booming, a clunky mobile site can sink your local SEO. So, what can your small business do?
- Responsive Design: Build a website that bends and flexes to fit any screen, like a responsive yoga master. Use website builders or content management systems (CMS) with built-in responsiveness features to make life easier.
- Mobile Testing: Don’t just assume it works—test your website on different mobiles and screen sizes. Squash any layout or usability guidelines you find.
- Mobile-Friendly Content: Make those images load faster on mobile networks, and keep your content punchy and easy to read on smaller screens.
7. Use Schema Markup
Websites can be a bit cryptic to search engines. Schema markup, a fancy term for structured data, acts like a translator. It helps search engines grasp the nitty-gritty of your content—your location, opening hours, what you sell, the works! Adding local schema markup to your website gives search engines a cheat sheet about your business. This can make you more visible in local searches and even land you a coveted spot in featured snippets, those snazzy info boxes at the top of search results.
Master Local SEO for Small Businesses to Unlock More Customers & Revenue
Local SEO is a powerful tool that can supercharge your small business’s online presence and attract new customers. From crafting killer content to building a sparkling online reputation, these tips will help you dominate your local search results.
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t fret! Here at Perth Digital, our crack team of SEO specialists is in your neck of the woods. We understand the unique challenges small businesses face, and we’re passionate about helping you thrive online.
Let us work our magic on your local SEO strategy! Get in touch with a Perth Digital expert today for a free quote and watch your business flourish!
