Local search marketing, also called local SEM, places your business in the map results for specific local keywords when nearby customers search for services like yours. The other half of local SEM is showing up often enough in that local pack that customers can find you and pick you out from competitors. In practice, local SEM is about putting your company in front of the people most likely to buy, which turns more leads into actual sales. The components below show how local search marketing and SEO work together.
Keyword-rich content
Make sure the content on your website is as rich as possible so the major search engines can pick it up. The richer your content, the more chances you have to rank highly for your targeted local searches. Keep site copy simple, but include a few helpful keywords and phrases. Run several keyword searches through the day and rank each term in your content based on which words come up most with the search engines. The higher you rank for each keyword or phrase, the better your chance of being found in local searches.
Offering a freebie to opt-in visitors
A free offer is a strong local search marketing move. Give visitors a free report, eBook, or other piece of content you have created, and ask them to join your opt-in list. Once they join, offer discounts or other incentives for referring others to your site. After they submit their information, follow up with another free eBook or report related to their industry. The more ways you give a potential customer a reason to get more information from you, the better your chances of increasing conversions.
Joint ventures with nearby businesses
Another solid local marketing strategy is building relationships with other businesses in your area. If you work often with a web development or SEO company, create a joint venture to market one of your products. You can also offer your services to other small businesses in your area for a percentage of their profits, which is a win-win for both sides.
A blog focused on local topics
One more high-quality content tactic for your local search marketing strategy is building a blog. Use it to cover local topics and write reviews of local businesses in your area. If you already have your own blog, this covers half the equation. If you do not have your own site or blog, use one of the dozens of free blog directories on the internet to generate high-quality traffic to your site.
Active social media accounts
Many business owners miss the social media side of marketing. Twitter and Facebook have become must-have tools for business owners, and it is essential that you keep your social accounts active and update them frequently with quality content. A local search marketing company should know the newest social networks on the internet so they can promote your business to the right target audience.
Relationships with local businesses in your community
Last but not least, build relationships with local businesses in your community. Many local businesses are unaware of the benefits of an SEO specialist. Show that you are knowledgeable and willing to help, and they will most likely ask you when they next need your services. Most business owners want to do things on their own and do not want a professional handling that part, so stay in touch with them and keep building on the relationship.
Why SEO expertise still matters
In digital marketing you have to be an expert in the field. If you master the tools, conversions rise sharply. If you cannot master the tools, you should not be doing it in the first place. Hiring a professional SEO company is a good idea. Local search engine optimization is important, but it is not the only step you need to take to drive quality traffic to your website.
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- Local SEO Marketing
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