There’s no denying that today, getting found online is an integral part of any business venture. We’ve reviewed and highlighted the necessary steps needed to push you higher up search engines to attract potential customers in your local area.
1. Get your business listed on Google Business Profile
First things first – create a Google Business Profile! Local search engine optimisation (SEO) starts by adding your business to online directory listings such as Yell.com.
To maximise traffic to your website it’s essential to ensure that your business name, address and phone number (also known as NAP) are consistent across each platform you use. This is so Google knows each listing refers to the same business, in turn crediting them and placing your business higher up on local search results.
2. Gather authentic Google reviews
Reputation is everything when it comes to your local online strategy. Google rewards businesses with star ratings once they accumulate enough reviews, typically around 10, but maintaining a steady stream of positive feedback is key to building credibility and customer trust.
Fresh, detailed reviews not only give you an edge over competitors but also help establish trust and long-term loyalty. Make it a priority to collect detailed reviews as possible from current and past clients.
To make the process seamless, add a click-through widget on your website, making it quick and easy for customers to share their experiences. The simpler it is, the more likely they are to spread the word about your exceptional service.
3. Develop a keyword strategy
Use long-tail keywords that contain your service and local area. For example, one for Promoworx might be “Web Designing in South Woodford“.
Specific keywords are less competitive and target people looking for a service in your particular area, resulting in a higher conversion rate.
Decide the keywords you wish to rank for and assign one keyword to each page. Include keywords in the page titles and meta-descriptions, to match your web pages with search enquiries for a higher ranking.
4. Create engaging and relevant content
Producing high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience is crucial for effective local SEO. When you craft articles that address common challenges, answer frequently asked questions, or discuss the latest trends in your local market, you’re not just providing value, you’re also signalling to Google that your website is a trusted resource. This helps you rank higher on search engine results, especially for location-specific searches.
By showcasing your expertise and understanding of the local market, you build credibility and trust, which ultimately leads to increased engagement and a higher conversion rate.
Remember, the more relevant and useful your content is to your local audience, the more likely they are to choose your business over competitors.
5. XML sitemaps and location pages for local SEO
XML sitemaps and dedicated location pages are essential for enhancing your local SEO. An XML sitemap helps search engines understand your website’s structure, ensuring important pages, including location-specific ones, are indexed efficiently. This improves your visibility in local search results by making it easier for search engines to crawl and rank your pages.
Location pages are vital for businesses targeting multiple areas. These should be optimised with relevant keywords, such as the city or neighbourhood name, and include key details like your address, contact information, opening hours, and a Google Maps embed. Each location page should feature unique, locally relevant content, such as customer testimonials or community involvement. This boosts user experience and signals to search engines that your business is genuinely connected to the community.
By using a well-structured XML sitemap and optimised location pages, you can improve your local search rankings and attract more local customers.
6. Optimise for mobile
Around 50% of all website traffic now comes from mobile phones, so it’s important that your website is optimised for this huge customer base. Google also now penalises non-mobile friendly sites so your ranking will begin to slip if you do not take the right measures.
7. Make use of Analytics technology
Don’t make the mistake of overlooking Google Analytics and Webmaster tools. These free services provide you with rich information on how your website is performing and help you understand who, how, and where your site’s users are drawn from. This includes information such as which sites and keywords send the most traffic, the location of your visitors, which specific pages they are visiting, and how long they are spending on your website.
This information helps you build a profile of your potential customers and how they are engaging with your website, allowing better page optimisation, targeting and conversion.
Call us today on 020 8530 1500 to book a free consultation, to find out how this could benefit your business.