Why Local Search Engine Optimization is Important

October 10, 2021

Local search engine optimization helps businesses rank higher in unpaid Google search results, bringing more visitors to their websites and more customers through their doors. The more often a site appears in local search results, the more likely users are to click through to it.

Why does local SEO matter for your business?

The first step in local SEO is making sure your website includes the keywords customers type when looking for a product or service in your area. Those same words are what surface a business in local search results. Businesses that overlook this step miss out on buyers who are actively searching for what they offer.

What are the two main types of local SEO?

Local SEO is made up of two methods:

Organic optimization: using localized content such as blogs, articles, press releases, and other location-specific material tied to the area where the business operates. Organic search results are determined by organic listings that appear in the unpaid portions of search results.
Paid placements: also called sponsored listings, these show up in the paid sections of search results.

How do you optimize a site for local customers?

A few practical steps make a site more useful to local visitors:

Enhancing the user experience by optimizing web pages, navigation, and meta tags.
Using keywords appropriately and creating a page devoted to welcoming customers.
Building inbound links from local businesses, including listings on Google Maps and Yahoo Maps. This approach has been shown to significantly increase traffic to a site.

Should local content focus on one area or many?

Organic local SEO works best when content is focused on a single location. A blog post about dogs in Tampa, for example, can be targeted to Tampa and Florida. Businesses can also broaden their reach by focusing on locations where they have experience, such as major cities. The more websites that carry their content, the more likely those sites are to be seen and ranked by consumers searching for that product or service.

How does social media fit into local SEO?

Social media has changed the way businesses market online. In addition to optimizing a presence on major social networks, local tools can support local SEO strategies. A home-based business site, for instance, lets readers share articles through Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Using these platforms as part of a local SEO plan creates a broader base of potential customers.

Why is now a good time to invest in local SEO?

Major search engines have changed their algorithms in recent years, which has caused some confusion for local SEO experts but has also pushed more businesses outside major cities to focus on these strategies. With a growing number of local SEO experts and software developers working on optimizing sites for local results pages, businesses can find services and pricing that fit their budgets.

What is the biggest benefit of local SEO?

The biggest benefit is the level of control and visibility a business gets over its organic search results. With the right techniques, local SEO delivers results at a price that fits most budgets and gives an online business the boost it needs to compete.

FAQ

What is local SEO?

Local SEO is a technique used by business owners to increase visitors to their websites by ranking higher in the unpaid local search results on Google.

What is the difference between organic and paid local SEO?

Organic local SEO uses localized content like blogs, articles, and press releases tied to the business’s location, while paid local SEO uses sponsored listings that appear in the paid portions of search results.

How can social media help with local SEO?

Social media expands the reach of local SEO by letting businesses share articles through platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, which creates a broader base of potential customers.