If searchers search for a specific business in your area, it's important to appear near the top to get the maximum benefit. The question is, how do you ensure that you are showing up? The answer is simple, by utilizing local search engine optimization (Local SEO) techniques.
If you think of SEO as a broad category, local SEO is but a subsection of it. However, if you are looking to attract local businesses, then local SEO is key to your success. Organic SEO refers to any method of marketing that relies on natural, organic listings in the search results instead of paid links such as paid social media marketing or pay per click (PPC). For most small businesses, paid social or PPC can be cost-prohibitive. However, utilizing organic SEO techniques, you ensure your website ranks for key searches.
Three tips on how to utilize local SEO for organic searches
The goal of any SEO efforts should be to get you to show up on the first page of the search engine results pages (SERPs). This ensures that your small businesses’ information and services are available to searchers when they need them.
1. Onsite optimization
Onsite optimization is an essential aspect of both organic SEO and local SEO. Optimizing your site or page on the Internet will impact your local ranking. It can be challenging to optimize pages for keywords and keywords phrases. However, it's not impossible. A good Local SEO agency will do everything necessary to bring you the best results, including building Local SEO content in the form of geographic landing pages that are optimized for your ideal buyers.
2. Offsite marketing strategies
Off-site marketing includes everything directory submissions, backlink building, and social media marketing. Organic search results are generally affected by link popularity, so it's a good idea to work on building your links. Having more inbound links from quality websites means better search results for your small business information and services.
3. Keywords and geographic targeting
With Local SEO, your primary goal is to optimize your site or page for your specific audience and geographic location. For instance, if your business services busy homeowners, you would want to use specific keywords in order to those homeowners and drive them to your website. If you combine the previous with the geographic location, you are setting yourself up for success. For example, if you wanted to target busy homeowners with your landscaping business in Asheville, you might have a page title, “Turnkey lawn maintenance in Asheville, NC.” The beauty of this landing page is it allows you to talk about the city of Asheville and why turnkey lawn maintenance is ideal for busy homeowners. We have seen this type of strategy work time and time again to draw more attention to your local business and potentially increase your sales.
Final Thoughts
If you are a local business, you need to consider utilizing local SEO as part of your marketing strategy. A small investment will pay dividends in the long run. If you are looking for help with your local SEO or would like for us to take a look at your site, reach out to us for a free consultation, we would be happy to help!
