In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for businesses of all sizes. Whether you run a small local barbers or a large international brand, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is essential for attracting customers to your website. And when it comes to local businesses, optimising for local search is particularly important.
Local SEO allows businesses to promote their products and services to local customers precisely when they’re looking for them online. There are a number of different angles to cover within Local SEO, including having presence, building trust and a great website. If you’re a business aiming to improve your local search rankings and drive more foot traffic to your brick-and-mortar store, here are our five top tips to help you get started:
Optimise Your Google My Business Listing
Google Business is a powerful tool for local businesses to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. Make sure your Google Business listing is complete and accurate with your business name, address, phone number (NAP), website URL, opening hours, and what types of products you offer. Encouraging your customers to leave reviews can also help you to stand out amongst the crowd. You should also respond to them promptly, and regularly update your listing with fresh content such as photos and special offers.
Localise Your Website Content
Ensure that your website’s content is tailored to your local audience. If you’re a gardener who works in the Birmingham area, it’s helpful to both users and Google to mention that! Include location-specific keywords in your meta tags, headings, titles, and content. Create location pages if you have multiple business locations, each with unique, relevant content. If you’re based in Birmingham but also serve Hereford, it’s vital you create a separate page about that.
Build Citations and Local Links
Citations are online mentions of your business name, address, and phone number on other websites, directories, and social platforms. Consistent citations across reputable sites can improve your business’s credibility and visibility in local search. That means if you’re getting regular mentions on Facebook, or you’ve spent some time populating your profile on Yell.com, it’s likely to help your SEO efforts. Additionally, seek opportunities to earn local backlinks from reputable websites, local organisations, and news websites. These local links signal to search engines that your business is relevant to the local community.
Optimise for Mobile
With the majority of local searches now happening on mobile devices, it’s essential to ensure your website is mobile-friendly. Google prioritises mobile-responsive websites in its search rankings, so optimise your site for smaller screens, fast loading times, and easy navigation. Test your website on various devices and use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to identify and fix any issues.
Encourage Local Reviews and Testimonials
Positive reviews from satisfied customers not only influence potential customers but also play a significant role in local search rankings. Encourage your happy customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yell.com, and Facebook. Respond to all reviews, both positive and negative, professionally and promptly. Displaying testimonials from local customers on your website can also boost your credibility and trustworthiness, so be sure to embed your Google Business reviews for everyone to see.
By implementing these five top tips for local SEO, you can enhance your online visibility, attract more local customers, and ultimately grow your business locally. Remember that SEO is an ongoing process, so regularly monitor your performance, track your rankings, and adapt your strategies to stay ahead of the competition.
We’re here to help, so if you’d like to chat to us about improving your local SEO, simply get in touch with us and share your website address.