Did you know that nearly two-thirds of smartphone users are likely to purchase from companies that customize online information according to location?
That’s right, and this is just one of the many reasons that every small business should have a local SEO strategy in place.
In addition to increasing sales, focusing on local SEO will boost your search engine rank, improve your voice search visibility, and increase trust in your brand.
Want to learn more about the benefits of local SEO for your small business?
Keep reading for details.
1. Make It Easier for Local Customers to Find You
There’s no point in having a great local store or service if nobody in the area knows that you exist.
Focusing on local search is essential if you want to get more customers through your doors. You simply can’t optimize for general search terms and hope to attract local users.
Local search is especially important if you don’t have an obvious real-world presence. If your actual store is hidden on a back street, you need to make sure it’s front and center in the online world.
2. Improve Your Google Maps Visibility
Want to have your business pop up at the top of Google Maps when people search for certain keywords?
Focusing on local SEO is the best way to rank highly in Google Maps. Factors like keyword usage, reviews, and website content will all affect your position, so create a local SEO strategy that incorporates them all.
Be sure to create a Google My Business page with all of your details, as Google will pull from this when presenting information in maps.
The higher you rank on Google Maps, the more local people will buy from you.
3. Boost Voice Search Ranking
Research shows that 22% of voice search queries are looking for location-based content, with users asking questions like, ‘Where can I buy a pizza near me?’
Optimizing your website for local search gives you a much better chance at ranking highly for queries like this.
Users searching for local businesses by voice are often using mobile devices and looking to make a purchase right away. This makes optimizing for local voice search extremely lucrative.
4. Build Trust in Your Business
Would you trust a local business that didn’t pop up on the first page of a Google search?
Probably not.
Having a high search ranking, a featured snipped, and a strong Google My Business profile will make your brand look more legitimate, making people more likely to buy from you.
This is especially important if you’ve only recently started your business and need to build a reputation from scratch.
5. Get an Edge Over Local Competitors
Want to beat off your local competitors?
If you’re in an industry that’s not very tech-savvy, spending even a little time on local SEO is likely to put your light years ahead of the rest.
For industries with more digital knowledge, local search optimization is essential simply to prevent your brand from falling behind.
Either way, local SEO has the power to turn you into a much bigger local player.
Why Invest in Local SEO for Your Small Business?
If you want to improve online visibility and increase sales, investing in local SEO for your small business is a no-brainer.
You’ll increase your ranking, especially in voice and mobile searches, make your brand look more trustworthy, and get ahead of the competition.
Want professional help with your SEO strategy? Contact us today.
