What is SEO?
SEO is an acronym for “Search Engine Optimization.” It’s the term used to describe how well your website is structured to appear in a Search Engine’s results (like Google).
Every city has small and big players in each industry, providing the same services. The level of brand visibility online will largely depend on the local SEO strategies adopted by each company. Local search engine optimization can help place a particular service provider at the forefront of his industry. If you know the right things to do to, you can outrank your competitors in your area. All it takes is improving your search rankings to drive local organic traffic to your website.
We are going to share some of the simplest and easiest local SEO tips in this article. Hopefully, with the little investment they require, you will see some amazing results.
Consider these few:
1. Create local content on your website
Many businesses underestimate the importance of uploading quality content on their websites. You should focus on providing relevant and quality information to your site’s visitors, particularly framing it from a local standpoint. That way, you can keep your readers coming back, thereby generating more leads. Don’t rely only on your static website content – create frequent, information-filled blog posts to generate traffic, as well. It doesn’t pay to provide boring blocks of text only. Make sure you emphasize your points with captivating visuals to attract more visitors and keep them on your site longer.
2. Utilize the Google My Business Tool
This is one of the free SEO tools you can use to increase your visibility. With this tool, you can create a business profile that will attract more customers looking for you and your products/services. Although other businesses in your industry may use it, you can optimize it better than others (HOW?) and attract more leads. In your profile, people will see the following:
- Contact details
- Business hours
- Images
- Business address, etc
With other relevant information present in your profile, many people will understand your business better.
3. Build high-quality links
Link building is another important strategy to utilize for building your local SEO. When writing blog content, look for ways to link your services to popular and well-respected websites to drive more traffic to your own site. One of the mistakes people make in link building is using spam links. Try hard to avoid it, and instead, utilize backlinks and guest blogging.
4. Utilize your local business directory
Business directories can put your company at the forefront of your industry. To start, do some online searches for the services you provide and see what listing directories pop up. Then, be sure to add your business to those directories, looking for ways to distinguish yourself from your competitors. While it may be beneficial to be listed in multiple directories, don’t waste money by trying to be in every one. Instead, be targeted in your approach, looking for directories that may not have anyone in your area listed OR is considered a leading directory that you should make sure you are in. When people search through the directories, they will see your contact information, some reviews about your services, and a brief description of your service.
5. Optimize your web pages and content focusing on local keywords
When writing content for your website, not only make sure that the content you post is beneficial to your visitors, also make sure local keywords are sprinkled throughout. Google will rank your website higher than others if your content first and foremost provides value to people visiting your site. Some sites out there try to play the SEO game by use funny-sounding keywords and make the content meaningless. For instance, instead of using “real estate broker St Louis,” you should use a stop word such as “in” and write “real estate brokers in St Louis.” This sounds natural and will rank better overall.
6. Place your business address in the website footer
Search engines love this type of detail because they can use it to associate your site to a particular location. Apart from the address, you can add some visuals in the header, some strategic portions on your website, and maybe in the navigation bar.
7. Prioritize your site’s security
Google pulls down many websites due to malicious content, unreliable links, viruses, etc. Some of your competitors may overlook this fact and suffer terrible setbacks and loss of customer trust. You, on the other hand, can be the trusted service provider if you ensure that hackers don’t victimize people through your website.
8. Maintain a good reputation
You must manage your online and offline reputation with all you’ve got. That way, you can be sure to gain the trust and confidence of your clients. When people read reviews about your company/services on social media or other sites, it should be encouraging and notable to win more customers for you.
Conclusion
You can be a part of the big shots in your industry if you adopt the strategies we have shared for local SEO. Each of them is not going to cost you, but the benefits will astound you. Why not start today and take your business to another level of growth and expansion.