Small businesses like yours have to work far harder than the big guys to gain traction with local customers. You probably can’t afford to run TV commercials or rent billboard space, so how, then, can you outshine the competition?
Local SEO is the answer to your prayers. It’s affordable, easy to implement, and highly effective—everything small business owners need in one package. Learn the importance of local SEO below, then contact us to learn more about our SEO services in NJ.
What Is Local SEO?
You’ve probably heard of regular SEO. Well, local SEO is similar, except it focuses on helping your business show up in local search engine results (hence the name).
For example, regular SEO might target keywords like “how to make the best burgers.” Local SEO, on the other hand, would target keywords such as “best burgers in Princeton” or “burger restaurant near me.”
Local SEO involves making use of tools like local business listings, reviews, localized content, and your Google Business Profile. Done right, this style of SEO is incredibly powerful for local business growth.
Why Does Your Small Business Need a Local SEO Strategy?
There are plenty of great reasons to get started on your local SEO strategy if you don’t yet have one. Let’s go over a few of these below.
Improved Online Visibility and Better Search Engine Rankings
There are loads of local folks out there who want what you’re selling. The trouble is that maybe they don’t even know your business exists. Most users won’t scroll down past the top of the page when looking for local services, and if your business’s site is at the bottom, it’s not going to get many clicks.
Local SEO helps you get more eyeballs on your business’s site by propelling it to the top of the search results. The best part? You don’t have to pay a dime to give your site such a jumpstart. If Google thinks your business is a good match for a search, it’ll display your site to users in the local search results without you having to spend a thing.
Gives You an Advantage Over the Competition
Depending on your industry, your competitors may not be savvy when it comes to local SEO. They’ve got websites, of course, but anything past blogging is beyond them.
Local SEO gives you the chance to gain a huge advantage over the competition. Imagine that you’ve optimized your site for keywords like “shoe store in Trenton.” Your competitors, on the other hand, haven’t invested time into developing their local SEO strategy. When users search for shoe stores in Trenton, guess whose business they’re likely to stumble on first? This is just one of many examples that illustrate the importance of local SEO.
Mobile and Voice Search Optimization
Today’s internet users no longer solely search for restaurants, movie theaters, and other local businesses on their desktops. They search on their phones while out and about, often using voice queries to do it.
Studies have shown that over 80% of people look for local businesses using their phones, and of these, nearly 30% make a purchase within 24 hours of conducting a local search. If your small business wants a piece of that pie, local SEO is the solution. With it, you can optimize your site to provide a great mobile experience, and Google will reward you with a steady stream of traffic.
Inexpensive Marketing
Maybe you’ve thought about running internet ads, but the cost makes you nervous. What if users click on your ad but don’t buy? Then you’re stuck paying for advertising with nothing to show for it. It’s a risk that many small businesses can’t afford to take.
Internet ads certainly can give you a boost in the search engine results, but you can enjoy impressive outcomes without spending a penny thanks to local SEO. Many awesome local SEO tools, like your Google Business Profile, are 100% free. That’s music to the ears of any small business owner on a tight budget.
Builds Trust With Customers
Did you know that many people won’t even consider buying from businesses with few or no reviews? That’s a big problem if your business is new or you just haven’t spent much effort on collecting client feedback.
A big part of local SEO involves collecting reviews from happy customers and showcasing them in prominent places, such as your website and local business listings. When prospective buyers see those reviews, they’re more likely to trust you and spend their cash on your products or services.
How Do You Get Started With Local SEO?
You’re convinced of the importance of local SEO, but where do you even begin? Here are a few tips to help you get the ball rolling.
- Find location-based keywords that reflect what users in your area are searching for. There are plenty of free keyword research tools out there, like Google Keyword Planner, to help with this.
- Optimize your website and ensure that it’s mobile-friendly. Do plenty of testing to make sure that your site and images load quickly on mobile devices.
- Create location pages that target specific areas (called geo-targeting). For example, you might create separate pages for “AC repair in Atlantic City” and “AC repair in Toms River.” Localize the content by talking about local landmarks and attractions.
- Get quality backlinks from other local businesses that aren’t in competition with you. Having plenty of backlinks from authority sources tells Google that your business is trustworthy, too.
- Ask happy customers to leave reviews, and respond to all the reviews you get, positive or negative. It’s a smart way to show customers that you care.
Let’s Start Building Your Local SEO Strategy Today
Now that you’ve learned the importance of local SEO, why not let Peppermonkey Media give you a helping hand with your SEO strategy? If you’re ready to get started or want to know more about how SEO and social media work together, schedule your digital marketing consultation at (732) 576-0171.
