Getting new customers has turned into a tougher competition every day you stay in business. Nowadays, you not only have to worry about satisfying the customers you have, you must also gain new ones using marketing strategies that fit your business identity and your budget. In this competitive market, you can’t just depend on a pretty website; you need to move beyond the confines of your domain and start utilizing other Internet resources, like local SEO.
Local SEO – Effective Internet Marketing for Local Businesses
To get to the top of your local market, you will need to implement Local Search Engine Optimization (or simply “local SEO”) on your business’ online listings. Local SEO allows your business’ website to appear in the search engine results of Google, Yahoo, and Bing when someone in your area searches for your services or product. Let’s take a moment to explore why you should perform local business SEO services for your company.
Local Business Searching: The Basics
Don’t know what local SEO means? It’s really very simple. When you use a search engine for finding a certain type of business, for example, “car wash” in Arlington, Texas, the results that show up are the local business listings.
Local business SEO gives you relevant results based on the location that you put into your mobile phone or browser. Enter a search like “best restaurant” in the Arlington, TX area and the most highly rated restaurants closest to your present location will come up. You will also get the restaurant’s name, phone, and website address, along with reviews from such websites as Yelp! And these detailed promotional listings are free, for any local business, from financial institutions to tiny mom-and-pop grocery stores. However, Google, Bing, and Yahoo won’t gather your business details for you – you’re going to have to put in some effort, and that’s where Local SEO comes in!
Why You Need Local SEO Services For Your Business
- An increasing number of people go online to do research on local companies.
Over 60 percent of customers seek out information about the businesses in their area through online research on their laptops and mobile phones. Over 80 percent of all queries done on a mobile phone was from someone looking for local results. This finding was confirmed by another study in 2013. Yet another study showed that 67 percent of people who do a mobile search will take some action afterward. Out of that, 33 percent will actually buy something. You certainly don’t want to miss out on that action!
- Local SEO pinpoints your ideal customers and uses targeted information to entice them.
Using local search engine marketing at this opportune time gets your business in front of the faces of those who need or want the services you’re offering. When a business has a strategically optimized local listing, their business’ name and info will appear higher up the page, where most of their target market is clicking.
- Local SEO has high conversion rates compared to other advertising channels.
A study has found that local SEO can result in an 80 percent conversion rate on some local channels. Try getting those kinds of numbers anywhere else!
How to Optimize Your Business Website for Local SEO
Put up a business page in all of the popular search engines: This includes Google, Yahoo, and Bing.
Put your business in the correct category: Post photos of your business, hours of operation, and a list of services. Some search engines allow you to place your company in up to five categories. But note that search engines penalize businesses that were not placed in the right category or any at all.
Put in the correct information every time: Ensure that your business details match across all search engines and on all websites where someone mentions your company. Someone putting your company on a listing website, industry forum, or other third-party services could help you increase your rankings, so this step is important.
Need Help Establishing Your Business’ Local Presence?
The Thrive SEO team has the experience, knowledge, and innovation to increase your business’ profits using Local SEO strategies – and the case studies to prove it. Contact Thrive today and get ready to experience the power of Local Search Engine Optimization!
