Local SEO combines website and mobile SEO to help nearby customers find you, and the two work better together. 90% of people click on local search results within 24 hours, and Google now uses mobile-first indexing, so a mobile-friendly site is the foundation. Below are five tips that show how pairing these efforts lifts your site in local search.
Why local SEO matters
Nearly half of all internet users run local searches, and nearly half of all Google searches happen in a local area. A business that ignores local SEO is invisible to customers nearby, whether it runs an online store or a brick-and-mortar location. A local search is also more likely to end in a sale than a generic internet search.
What details should go into your content?
Use your business name, city, state, and neighborhood in your content, and add local and unofficial place names too. Local events, organizations, interviews with local experts, and stories about local business owners all give you material that resonates with people searching in your area.
How do citations and Schema Markup help?
If your business appears in several directories, add it to as many as you can. Citations carry your business name and location and can lift your local ranking, even without a backlink. Schema Markup pushes structured data into your site automatically. Keep your business information accurate and consistent with the keywords you target.
Should you build geo-targeted pages?
Your strategy should include geo-targeted on-site content and service pages. Localized on-site content is more likely to surface in search results. Schema for local businesses can be tricky, but it can produce a significant lift in revenue, and it can be adapted for multiple locations.
How do reviews, links, and tools strengthen your profile?
Reaching the top of Google’s local results brings in customers looking for services in your area. Google My Business helps you build that presence, and you do not need the slickest site to rank #1. Use links from relevant sites to boost your business’s credibility and authority. Google factors in review counts when ranking local businesses. Quality content drives traffic, conversions, and revenue, and links from industry-related sites add weight to your profile. For keywords, lean on Google’s Keyword Planner and Google Trends. Local SEO is about answering local queries with useful information, so avoid filler and focus on real value. Embed your address in Google Maps, and if your business sits in a specific location, include your phone number in the URL.
How do local results actually work?
Local SEO works like a normal Google search: Google scans its index and returns the best results, but it also weighs different ranking factors. Map Pack results place three businesses near the top of the search result. The Local Pack combines a map, dropped pins, and a business’s website URL, and it gets more visibility, traffic, and customers than a standard listing.
FAQ
Why is a mobile-friendly site important for local SEO?
90% of people click on local search results within 24 hours, and Google has begun using mobile-first indexing, so a mobile-friendly site is essential for local rankings.
What is the difference between the Map Pack and the Local Pack?
The Map Pack showcases three businesses near the top of the search result. The Local Pack adds a map, dropped pins, and a business’s website URL, giving those listings a better chance of being shown and attracting more traffic and customers.
Do citations help local SEO without backlinks?
Yes. Citations contain the name and location of your business and can increase your local ranking even when they do not include a backlink to your website.
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