Search engine optimization or what most of us know as SEO is essential in order to grow business, especially in the digital marketing aspect.
However, for businesses with many locations, the goal is not to just click the top ranking across the globe.
They are supposed to perform the best in every single area. Considering the significance of this in devising effective SEO strategies when developing a good plan.
It is also advised to use the business listing app and local business directory when developing an SEO strategy.
Here it is essential to differentiate between Organic SEO on the one hand, and Local SEO on the other. Local SEO is particularly pertinent to physical stores whose operators want to attract local clients and boost sales within the vicinity.
This article takes a closer look at the concept of local SEO, its advantages, and what businesses would benefit from the most from its targeted approach.
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO means optimizing one’s online presence so that a brand becomes more visible for local searches and develops brand recognition in a specific area.
This process includes among others the creation and management of local directories, social media pages profiling the business, and writing articles such as a localized landing page.
Some companies go even one step further and use hyperlocal SEO for neighborhood targeting. Such businesses manage to drive deep connections with their consumers and cement themselves in the community.
Distinction: Organic SEO and Local SEO?
There are interconnected patterns, relationships, and dynamics in both Organic SEO and Local SEO, yet they deeply operate in different facets of that particular business. Today two basic differences are worth noting:
Local Search Results Have A Different Set Of Standards
Local SEO employs ranking features as in the traditional model but adds geography to its local SEO algorithm. In other words, Google in most cases looks at three main points as important ones while evaluating Local SEO ranking:
- How closely a business offers to the searcher’s request.
- Location, which depends on how far away the searcher is from the company.
- Popularity, how popular or important the business is among the local customers.
Google further is said to focus on the Google Business Profile (GMB site), reviews, backlinks, citations, and on-page content signals keywords as the principal important ones.
Local Search Results Have a Distinct Appearance
The typical location for organic search results on the page is the main focus after paid ads, however, local searches tend to appear easier in the Google 3-Pack. This option shows a list of the top results that are accompanied by a map displaying business addresses, reviews, and other information from their Google Business Profile.
How Local SEO Can Benefit Your Business: 7 Key Advantages
Many advantages can come with ranking high in search engine results pages (SERPs) for a multi-location business including the achievement of more online and in-store customers for the business. To rank high in search results list your business on different business listing app and local business directories.
GoLocal’s Increases Customers’ Interest in Business Locations
By adopting an effective local business listing SEO strategy, your company can be ranked positively on other nearby customer’s searches when they seek your offerings thus increasing traffic flow to a business location.
Increased Sales
Local searches often have high commercial intent, meaning that the users are more likely to follow through with a transaction. For instance, if a person searches “grand opening of best pizza places” they are probably planning to eat soon. Being included in these searches means that of these searchers, chances are high that many of them will convert and become customers paying for the business service or product.
More Trust Hatisfacted and Confident Customers
This means that a greater number of customers can be attracted as a result of improved online reputation which local SEO works towards building. Customers are more likely to trust businesses that have a good online presence and positive reviews.
Customers are likely to be drawn to a business that has an active and well-maintained Google Business Profile which indicates the business has sought to ensure customer feedback and received positive reviews and high ratings.
Gaining a Competitive Edge
Local businesses, especially the small ones, seem to ignore the potency of local SEO, which creates a competitive advantage for those who make local SEO a priority.
Local optimization gives you an edge over your competitors in particular small businesses who struggle to beat the more prominent brands.
In conclusion, the local SEO strategy should be applied to every business that is willing to promote itself or its online reputation as it is noted to be a consistent promotion of the presence and confidence of the business on the internet.
The local search engine results may take time to be effective but with engaging activities, it improves as time progresses and so that will increase the number of calls and sales for your business.
It also makes it easier for businesses to be found in multiple places and for their clients when you list your business on the local business directory and business listing app.
