Local SEO is a marketing technique that helps local businesses appear in search results based on a searcher’s location. More than 60% of searches on mobile devices are local. Optimizing for local search puts your business in front of nearby customers and supports sales and customer retention.
Local SEO combines traditional SEO strategies with geographic factors. Your website should include terms and phrases relevant to the city where the business operates so it appears near the top of SERPs. Research shows that 46% of all Google searches are for local products, services, and information, and local searches tend to convert more sales.
What does local SEO involve?
Local SEO covers on-page optimization, link building, citations, listings, and competitor monitoring. It can be time consuming and requires knowledge of the different strategies available. Businesses that lack time can use SEO services to handle the work.
Which strategies matter most for local search?
The post outlines three core steps:
Build quality local links and citations. Link building is one of the most crucial ranking factors in local SEO because it signals that your content is valuable and relevant. Reach out to local businesses and create quality content, since poor quality links can hurt rankings. Build local citations as well; the work pays off when your profile climbs the rankings.
Keep business information consistent across the web. Make sure your business information is correct on multiple websites, including updating citations on Yelp and Google. Google favors local websites with relevant content, and consistent information across platforms improves search results and customer loyalty. Claiming your business listings helps franchise locations appear in local searches, and managing online ratings and local-centric social media reaches nearby customers.
Monitor competitors and algorithm changes. Tools such as BrightLocal or LocalRank Flux help monitor competitors and spot changes that may impact your site. Google makes frequent algorithm changes, so watching fluctuations in search results helps you stay ahead.
FAQ
What is local SEO?
Local SEO is a marketing technique that combines traditional SEO with geographic factors so your business appears in search results relevant to a searcher’s location. More than 60% of mobile searches are local.
Why is local SEO important for small businesses?
46% of all Google searches are for local products, services, and information. Local searches tend to convert more sales, so appearing in those results supports sales and customer retention.
What are the three steps to optimize for local search?
Build quality links from local sites and create local citations, keep business information consistent across platforms like Yelp and Google, and monitor competitors using tools such as BrightLocal or LocalRank Flux to track algorithm changes.
Related coverage
- How to Optimize Your Website for Local SEO
- How Local Search Engine Optimization Can Increase Your Visibility and Generate More Leads