The digital age has not only brought on advances in technology but has also changed the way businesses market. It used to be enough to just push content out on a website or in a client email list, but not anymore. There are many other marketing strategies businesses can take advantage of that were not an option in the past, one of them being the use of local SEO services.
What is SEO?
SEO is an acronym for Search Engine Optimization. But, what does that mean? SEO marketing capitalizes on the free search results generated by different search engines, such as Google and Bing. These search engines produce search results based on relevance. The purpose of local SEO services is to identify those key search words and include them in a business’s digital content. By doing so, good SEO content is much more likely to be pulled to the top of the search page therefore increasing brand awareness and driving more customers to your business.
How can my business utilize SEO?
There are many strategies surrounding local SEO services and practices, but the key is making sure you have clear goals in mind before publishing your content online. These easy tips will help you and your business make the most of this free marketing tactic.
Use proper keywords
If you are trying to market your business locally, your keywords would be different than if you were purely an online business. Making sure you are using location related keywords is the first thing you should do to ensure you are using good local SEO practices. You want to choose SEO keywords that apply to local customers since that is whom you are targeting with a local SEO strategy. In order to filter commonly searched keywords based on location, you will need a keyword generator or to enlist the help of a local SEO service. Local SEO services will be able to provide you with the insight and data you need to capitalize on your SEO efforts.
Get on Google Maps
A lot of what goes into good local SEO is common sense. For example, how many times have you used Google Maps to find a store in your area? How often have you typed the phrase ‘near me’ in the search bar? You’ve probably done both of these at least once. If your business is not on Google Maps or does not have a Google My Business account you are putting yourself at a disadvantage. Many customers search for businesses or services they need based on location. One way to practice good local SEO is by making sure your Google My Business listing has the correct information and your Google Maps location is embedded on your “contact us” website page.
Get creative with content
For good local SEO results you will want to make sure your content is topical and engaging. While keywords are important to your SEO strategy, more goes into successful content than just adding in a few commonly searched words. You want to make sure your customers click on and engage with your content. If your customers are bored or confused by your content and, therefore don’t read or interact with it, then it doesn’t matter how many keywords you use. Try incorporating different mediums of content such as infographics, video and photos to make your content more engaging and to discourage high bounce rates on your website. Additionally, incorporate local news stories or trends in your content to ensure you stay relevant and involved with your local community.
