As people are becoming completely digital, the utility of local SEO is also increasing. In today’s digital age, local SEO is more important than ever. As per Search Engine Journal, if your business doesn’t show up in the top results when people search for businesses in your area, you’re missing out on a lot of potential customers.
So, what can you do to improve local SEO?
My answer is – there are a number of things you can do to improve your local SEO and start ranking higher in search results. The good news is that to know these strategies, you don’t have to wander aimlessly. Most of them are mentioned here.
In this article, I’ll outline some of the most effective strategies for getting local SEO results fast in 2023. So, without further ado, let’s understand Local SEO properly first.
Local SEO is a subset of SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the ranking of a website in search engine results pages (SERPs). This is done by optimizing the website’s content, reputation, structure, and code quality to make it more relevant to search queries.
Local SEO is a subset of SEO that focuses on improving the ranking of a website in local SERPs (i.e. Google search results). This is done by optimizing the website for local search terms, such as “best persian restaurants in Los Angeles” or “dentists near me.”
In traditional SEO, the main goal is to rank as high as possible in the SERPs for a given keyword or phrase. However, in local SEO, there are other factors that can affect a website’s ranking, such as:
- NAP (name, address, and phone number)
- Citations (mentions of the website on other websites)
- Reviews
- Google Business Profile
- Products/ Services
- Offers and Updates
Therefore, while traditional SEO is focused on improving the website’s ranking, local SEO is focused on improving the business’s visibility in local search results. This can be done by optimizing the website for local search terms and by building up the business’s local authority.
Why Local SEO Matters More Than Ever?
Local SEO is like magic for small businesses. It’s all about showing up on that first page of Google when people search for products or services in their area.
And trust me, you want to be there!
As per Hubspot,
- 97% of people search online to find a local business.
- 46% of all Google searches are seeking local information.
- 88% of people who conduct a local search on their smartphone visit a business within 24 hours.
That’s a whole lot of potential customers looking for you!
Here are some of the reasons why local SEO matters more than ever:
The Rise of Mobile Devices
More people are using their smartphones to search for local businesses, services, and places. In fact, Google estimates that 61% of consumers use their smartphones to search for local businesses every day.
People are More Active Online
Post Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a skyrocketing increase in the amount of time people spend online. This increase is due to a number of factors, including:
- the rise of smartphones
- the availability of high-speed internet, and
- businesses adopting online culture.
The Importance of Reviews
Reviews are now more important than ever for local businesses. According to a study by BrightLocal, 92% of consumers now read online reviews (compared to 88% in 2014) before making a purchase.
The Growth of Social Media
Social media is now a powerful tool for local businesses. By optimizing their social media profiles for local search, businesses can reach a wider audience and drive more traffic to their website.
If you want your business to be found by local customers, you need to focus on local SEO. By optimizing your website for local search terms and building up your local authority, you can improve your visibility in local search results and attract more customers.
Strategy to Get Fast Local SEO Results in 2023
Local SEO is not just about appearing on maps. It’s about being present in the moments that matter to your audience.
So are you struggling to get your local business noticed online? Don’t worry! In 2023, there are some quick and effective ways to boost your local SEO and get those customers flooding through your door.
Let’s dive right in and discover the secrets to success!
Optimize your Google Business Profile
Get the basics right first! Claim and optimize your Google business profile. Your Google business profile is one of the most important factors in local SEO. It’s your virtual storefront and can significantly impact your local search visibility.
It’s essentially your business’s online profile on Google, and it’s what people will see when they search for your business on Google Maps or Google Search.
To optimize your Google business profile, make sure to:
- Complete your profile in full: Provide your business name, address, hours of operation, phone number, website, and categories.
- Add photos and videos: Visual content is a great way to help people better understand your business.
- Get reviews: Positive reviews are a great way to boost your local SEO. Encourage your customers to leave reviews.
Claim and Verify your NAP Citations
As per MOZ, your address is where you do business; it’s how your local customers find you. NAP stands for name, address, and phone number.
These are the three most important pieces of information for your local SEO. It’s important to make sure that your NAP is consistent across all online directories and citations. This consistency is like the glue that holds your local SEO strategy together.
You can use a tool like Whitespark or Moz Local to help you find and claim your NAP citations. Once you’ve claimed your citations, make sure to update them if your business information changes.
Find Relevant Local Keywords
We need relevant local keywords. Neil Patel in his blog says that ”The key to local SEO is research. You need to deeply understand your audience and what they are searching for”. In short “Put yourself in your customer’s shoes”.
What will they be looking for when searching for your products or services?
Local keywords are the secret sauce for getting found in local searches. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or UberSuggest to find the right keywords for your business.
You can also use Google’s auto-suggestion feature to get more keywords. However, you have to use good phrases first.
For example, let us assume that you are running a pest control business, and you offer your services in and around San Diego. So, start searching for services first and then add “in San Diego” at the end of your services. In this way, you may end up searching for “Ant removal services in San Diego”. Now check for monthly search volume and if it seems good then note down it somewhere.
With this strategy, you can easily find many local keywords for your business.
Optimize your Website
Website optimization is another important factor in local SERPs.
Show off your expertise and build trust with your audience through valuable local content. Write blog posts or create videos that highlight your expertise, your business, your services, and your results. This not only boosts your local SEO but also engages your community.
For faster results, make sure to optimize your website for local search by including the following elements:
- Relevant local keywords throughout your website content.
- Use relevant “near me” keywords
- Local keyword-rich title tag and meta description.
- Google My Business schema markup.
- Local links from other high-quality websites.
Make sure to use keywords authentically. Content marketing is more than a buzzword, with well-optimized content you can easily convert visitors into customers.
Additionally, with the rise of voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, voice search is becoming more prevalent.
Optimize your website for voice search by using natural language, long-tail, and near-me keywords, and adding details in question-answer format. This way, you’ll be ready to serve those voice-activated customers.
Optimize your Website for Mobile
Did you know that more than half of website traffic comes from mobile devices?
That’s why having a mobile-friendly website is crucial for local SEO success. It’s all about providing a seamless experience for your on-the-go customers.
As per SEJ, To improve your local search rankings, your site needs to be mobile-friendly, which is especially important for local searches.
You need to make sure that your website is responsive and well-optimized for mobile. This means making sure that your website loads quickly on mobile devices and that it’s easy to use on a small screen.
Build Backlinks from Local Websites
Backlinks are still an important ranking factor for local SEO. However, it’s important to build backlinks from high-quality local websites.
These are websites that are relevant to your business and that are visited by people in your target area.
You can build backlinks in many ways including guest blogging, submitting your website to directories, and participating in online forums.
Work for Reviews and Local Citations
Do you know how you trust your friend’s recommendation over a random ad? Well, it’s the same with online reviews.
Positive reviews can skyrocket your local SEO and attract more customers. Don’t hesitate to ask satisfied customers to leave reviews. It’s a game-changer!
Even if you don’t get a backlink, try to get mentioned on a website that covers your target area.
As per BrightLocal, Citations are important for local businesses, as they help search engines verify the existence, legitimacy, and credibility of your business.
Being just mentioned on other websites with accurate business information can significantly impact your local SEO.
These mentions are called local citations. Make sure your business is listed in relevant local directories, news articles, and local websites.
Get Involved in Local Online Communities
Social media is a great way to get involved in local online communities. By participating in discussions and sharing content, you can build awareness of your business and attract new customers.
Make sure to use relevant local hashtags and keywords in your social media posts. You can also use social media to promote your GMB listing and encourage people to leave reviews.
Track your Progress
It’s important to track your progress and see how your local SEO efforts are paying off.
You can use a tool like Google Search Console to track your rankings in Google search results.
You can also use a tool like Moz Local to track your NAP citations.
By following these tips, you can improve your local SEO and start ranking higher in search results in 2023.
Conclusion
Getting fast local SEO results in 2023 takes time and effort. However, by following the tips in this blog post, you can improve your chances of success.
I recommend hiring a professional SEO agency. A good SEO agency can help you implement the strategies mentioned in this blog post and track your progress. Click here to find out what we can do for you!
Also remember, whether it is local SEO or any other type of SEO, SEO is like a journey, not a destination. So buckle up, stay up-to-date, and enjoy the ride to success!
References:
- https://www.searchenginejournal.com/local-seo/
- https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/local-seo-stats
- https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-consumer-review-survey-2015/
- https://www.gmrwebteam.com/blog/how-online-reviews-influence-your-customers/
- https://moz.com/learn/local/importance-of-local-seo
- https://neilpatel.com/blog/local-seo-guide/
- https://www.searchenginejournal.com/local-seo-tips/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2022/06/17/the-beginners-guide-to-seo/
- https://www.brightlocal.com/learn/local-citations/
