Here are some ways you can improve your local SEO rankings
Local SEO: is it part of your online marketing strategy? Because it should be.
Local SEO is all about ranking higher in local searches by optimizing your website. It is an important element in any online marketing strategy, and it can help businesses reach more potential customers. Improving your local SEO rankings requires a thorough understanding of the local search engine algorithms, and a carefully crafted plan to meet their requirements. Here are five ways to improve your local SEO rankings and stand out in local searches.
1. Optimize for local searches with on page SEO
First, make sure your website is optimized for local searches. Create content that is specific to the city or region your business operates in. Add relevant keywords to titles, meta tags, and body text, and use local descriptive language wherever possible. Think about the type of information customers in your area are looking for and make sure your website provides it. For example: you are a personal trainer and you live in Amsterdam, but you would like to find clients outside the capital. Currently your website only mentions Amsterdam. What you need to do now is create content, specifically landing pages, with “personal trainer” + “[adjacent city/town name] as main keywords. This way your future clients will be able to find you.
Important for this aspect is keyword research – just like with all on page SEO. Find out what your clientele is looking for locally and use the keywords accordingly to rank for them in search engines like Google.
2. Don't forget your Google My Business profile
Create a free Google My Business profile in case you have not done that yet. Make sure your business information is accurate and up to date. Remember Google isn’t the only search engine people use, so you can consider adding your business information on other search engines too. Google My Business, Bing Places, and other local business listings should have the same address, phone number, and other information as your website. Make sure the name, address, and phone number information is consistent across all online platforms, as this is a vital factor for local SEO rankings. A few more tips”
● Share your new content and updates in a post on Google My Business to rank for specific queries. Bonus points if you optimize this content for local searches.
● Add photos: this will enhance the visibility of your business.
3. Take advantage of local citations
Use the power of local citations. On several platforms, your business name and details can be mentioned. Create listings in relevant local directories and citation sites, such as Yelp, TomTom and Foursquare, but also don’t forget Facebook. Make sure all directories use the same NAP information as your website, and link back to it whenever possible.
Creating listings in local directories and citation sites is an essential part of local SEO. These directories can give your business visibility and credibility, helping to attract more customers. To maximize the benefit of these directories, it is important to make sure that your business’s name, address, and phone number information (NAP) is consistent across all of your listings. If possible, link back to your website from the directory listings to improve your website’s visibility and ranking in local search engine results. Overall, taking advantage of local directories and citation sites can be a great way to boost your local SEO and attract more customers.
4. Get reviews and engage with customers
Engage with your local customers on relevant platforms. Encourage customers to review your business on local sites and on Google My Business, as well as other review sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor. Positive reviews can significantly improve your local SEO rankings, and can help you stand out in local search results. And obviously more positive reviews will increase the probability a potential customer will become a loyal client.
5. Optimize for mobile
As our world becomes more and more digitized, it is becoming more and more important to optimize your website for mobile devices. The number of searches conducted on mobile devices is growing at an increasingly fast rate, so it is essential to ensure your website is responsive and loads quickly on mobile devices. This can be achieved by designing your website with a mobile-first approach: specifically taking into account the design and functionality of your website when viewed on a mobile device. Additionally, it is important to test the performance of your website on various mobile devices, as well as to test the functionality of your locally targeted landing pages. So don’t just look at performance on mobile phones, but also on tablets like iPads.
By following these steps, you can improve your local SEO rankings, improve trust in your business and reach more potential customers. Make sure you keep your website and off page business information up to date and optimized for mobile devices. Take advantage of local citations and encourage customers to review your business online. With an allround effective local SEO strategy, you will stand out in local search results and reach more customers in your area.