How to Create a Successful Local SEO Strategy: Expert Tips and Best Practices

Hey, there, young entrepreneurs! If you are a small business owner looking to attract more local customers to your website, here’s your chance to soar to the top of search engine results and boost your business. 

By reading the title of this article, you may have already guessed what this blog is all about. Yes! It is about how you can bounce to the top of the SERPs and get more local customers to your business. But how???

To know that, you need to stay with us till the end…

With more than 90% of locals searching online for local businesses, having a killer local SEO strategy is crucial to the success of your business.

By the end of this article, you’ll have all the information you need to create a successful local SEO strategy to help you rank higher in local search results and attract more customers. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

“Want to boost your small business’s online visibility? Just starting with local SEO? Don’t worry; our all-inclusive guide has got you covered!” 

Check out our page on Local SEO Basics to start maximizing your local search presence today.

Why do Small Businesses need Local SEO?

Before diving into the tips and techniques on how to do local SEO for small businesses, it’s important to understand that not every business needs it. Local SEO is specifically designed for businesses that serve a particular geographic location or multiple locations and need to rank in local search results for the keywords their potential customers are searching for in that area.

To give you a better understanding, let’s take the example of a ”Local Bakery.” 

A bakery operates in a specific area, say within a 10-mile radius, and wants to attract more customers who are searching for “bakery near me” or “fresh bread in [the name of the town/city].” In this case, local SEO would be crucial for the bakery to rank higher in search results and attract more customers in that particular area.

So, this is the reason why local SEO is important for small businesses. The benefits it offers can be tremendous for businesses that are looking to attract more locals and multiply their sales and revenue.

From increased visibility to higher conversion rates… Implementing a strong local SEO strategy can provide your business with numerous benefits– read on to discover how it can help your business thrive! 

• increase your website traffic
• appear in Google’s local map pack
• attract more relevant traffic
• reduce overall advertising costs
• increase your website’s authority
• more customer reviews 
• increase brand awareness and trust
• more localized backlinks
• improved social signals
• enhance the user experience of your website
• drives conversions

Want to skyrocket your small business to the top? Don’t wait any longer to reap the benefits of local SEO. Simply fill out our form ➡️ now and get started on the path to success!

Is Your Business on the List?

So, if you are among the above-listed local businesses, then this is your chance to rank higher and increase your leads by implementing local SEO. And if your business is not on the list, but you want to take advantage of the opportunity,… Just fill out the CONTACT US form 👉, and our local SEO expert will get back to you within 24 hours!

With this, let us slide down and learn about some local SEO tips and techniques that will definitely help you create a successful local presence.

Expert Tips and Best Practices for Successful Local SEO Strategy 

Identify the Inventory of Your Products and Services

Before moving into the optimization process, first, it’s crucial to determine the specific terms and phrases you want your business to rank for. This will depend on the products and services you offer.

Confused?? Well, here’s a simple example: 

Imagine you run a local bakery in your town. And for that, you offer a variety of products, such as cakes, cookies, and bread. To ensure potential customers easily find your bakery, you need to determine which keywords you want to rank for in local search results.

For instance, your customers might search for “freshly baked cakes in [your town name]” or “best bread in [your town name].” By knowing these keywords, you can optimize your website for these terms and improve your chances of appearing at the top of local search results or the top of the Google Maps pack.

So, taking inventory of the products and services you offer, and thinking about what your customers might be searching for to find your bakery will give you a kickstart to begin your keyword research and develop a successful local SEO strategy.

Important:

The Google Map Pack is a section of Google’s search results that shows local businesses on a map at the top of the page. As a result, optimizing your website for local search can help your business appear in this section, increasing your visibility and traffic significantly.

Want to boost your chances of appearing in the Google Map Pack? Check out our comprehensive guide on “Ways To Do SEO To Rank On The Local-3 Pack” to learn more and start implementing effective local SEO strategies today!

Run A Local SEO Audit To Assess Your Website’s Health

Hang On!

Before you optimize your website for search engines, here’s an important step to take to know what issues might be holding it back. An SEO audit can help you identify technical and on-page issues that might impact your website’s performance.

It’s just about getting valuable insight into your website’s health and performance to see what’s missing and where you need to improve. Developing a successful SEO strategy is impossible without knowing where your website needs improvement. 

Tools like Semrush provide in-depth local SEO reports highlighting all the issues needing attention. But if you’re looking for a simple and free tool, you can immediately run your website through our free SEO audit tool!

With this free SEO audit, you’ll be able to identify critical issues affecting your website’s health and performance, 

Some common issues that an SEO audit can uncover include slow site speed, missing page titles and meta descriptions, broken links, duplicate content, lack of an XML sitemap, inadequate HTTPS security, poor indexation, and subpar mobile optimization.

Conduct Local Keyword Research

Identifying the right keywords is the first step in building a successful local SEO strategy. Basically, we have divided the whole keyword research process into three parts:

1. Finding Service-based Keywords

As discussed above, to get started, first, you have to put yourself in your customer’s shoes and think about how they might search for your products or services. 

Let’s say you’re the owner of a bakery in Seattle. Now some may search for “bakery in Seattle,” while others may search for something more specific like “best croissants in Seattle” or “cupcake delivery Seattle.” By optimizing your website for these types of searches, you can list all the products and services your business offers.

For example, if you’re a bakery, your list might include

• croissants, 
• cupcakes, 
• bread, 
• pastries, 
• wedding cakes, and 
• birthday cakes.

But this list doesn’t stop there! You can use these service-based keywords as a starting point to find even more specific keywords that potential customers might be searching for. Try using keyword research tools to discover related terms such as “French bakery Seattle,” “gluten-free bakery Seattle,” or “vegan bakery Seattle.”

2. Analyzing your Competitors’ Keywords

To gain a competitive edge in local search, it’s crucial to understand what keywords your local competitors rank for. For this, we suggest using tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush.

Simply search for a competitor’s domain, and your chosen tool will generate a list of keywords they are ranking for organically. Watch down to better understand the process. 

3. Finding Geo-Specific Keywords

Let’s go with the same “Bakeries in Seattle” example. In step one, you identified some general terms that describe your business. In step two, you researched your competitors to see their target keywords. Now it’s time to combine these lists and conduct keyword research using SEO tools.

Simply search for keywords related to your business and add your location to generate geo-specific keyword variations. For example, a search for “Bakeries in Seattle” might yield keywords like “Best bakeries in Seattle,” “Seattle coffee shops and bakeries,” “Downtown Seattle bakeries,” “Seattle cake shops and so on.

Refer to the table below for some GEO SPECIFIC keywords to get you started.

Relevant

Step By Step Guide To Perform Keyword Research For Local SEO

Maximize Your Google My Business Listing for Local SEO

Next up, to ensure your online presence is optimized to attract potential customers, you need to claim and optimize your Google My Business (GMB) listing. This free platform can be a game-changer for local businesses looking to attract more customers and drive website traffic. 

Create a GMB account and claim your business to get started. Then, make sure to provide accurate and up-to-date information, including your name, address, phone number, website URL, images, hours, and more. Similar to my business listing, which is given below.

Plus, optimizing your GMB listing is the most effective way to rank higher on Google Maps and gain visibility in Google Search local results. So what are you waiting for? Claim your business, fill out your profile, and start reaping the benefits of this valuable tool for improving your local SEO.

Bonus Local SEO Tip

Consistency is key when it comes to your NAP (name, address, phone number) information across all online directories and platforms. Therefore, you must ensure that your business name, address, and phone number are exactly the same everywhere it appears online, from your website to social media profiles and online directories. This not only helps potential customers find and contact you easily, but it also signals to search engines that your business is legitimate and trustworthy, improving your chances of ranking higher in local search results. 

Get Listed on Top Business Directories

Looking beyond Google My Business? Look no further than online business directories! These directories can help you drive traffic, earn links, and improve your local SEO.

Some of the most well-known directories include Yelp, YellowPages, Bing Places, and BBB, but don’t stop there – there are countless others to explore. Just make sure to choose authoritative and localized directories to get the most out of your efforts.

When submitting your business information, consistency is key. Make sure your business name, address, phone number, and website URL (NAPW) are the same across all directories. And if you can find industry-specific directories, even better!

Submitting to online directories not only improves visibility but also provides an opportunity to showcase your business. So, be creative with your business name, and include a thorough description of what you offer. And, of course, don’t forget to include a backlink to your website!

No idea about which directories to submit your business to? Don’t worry! There are many online directories available. Just head to 500+ Top Local Business Listing Sites – Citation Database to find the most relevant to your industry.

Develop A Strong Link Building Strategy

Link building is a critical aspect of SEO and is especially important for local businesses. The first step is to understand what link signals are and why they matter. 

In a nutshell, link signals are backlinks pointing to your site. It’s the process of acquiring links from other websites to your own. For local businesses, this can look a bit different than link building for other sites.

Want to know more about earning backlinks for your website? Well, there are many ways to do it, like submitting your info to directories, reaching out to others in your industry, guest posting, and creating great content that people want to link to. 

But here’s the thing: not all links are created equal! You have to ensure the sites linking back to you are legit and relevant, or else it could harm your local SEO. Therefore, be strategic about who you partner with, and always focus on quality over quantity.

Here’s your chance to grab high-quality backlinks for your website and take it to the next level. Check out our video to learn more!

To ensure you get high-quality backlinks, focus on creating top-notch content that others will naturally want to link to. Consider guest blogging on reputable websites with high domain authority or engaging with local influencers on social media or by email to encourage them to link back to your website. These strategies not only boost your local search optimization but also establish your business as a trusted authority in your community.

Learn More: Everything You Need To Know About Guest Posting

Create Top-Notch Local Content

When it comes to grabbing the attention of your local customers, creating content that speaks to local issues is key. For instance, a local bakery could create separate pages for each location, featuring hyperlocal content such as news about the local food scene or changes in the availability of seasonal ingredients. 

For example, if the bakery has multiple locations, creating separate pages for each location that includes information about the surrounding neighborhoods, events, and landmarks can help boost the website’s visibility in local search results. 

There are several ways to create content that speaks directly to the local community. One strategy is to write blog posts about upcoming community events, such as local festivals or holiday celebrations. This content can not only help attract potential customers who are interested in attending these events but also demonstrate the bakery’s involvement and support for the local community.

Another strategy is to showcase videos of local charities or causes that the bakery supports. For instance, if the bakery regularly donates a portion of its profits to a local food bank or animal shelter, creating a video about that partnership and sharing it on social media and the website can help raise awareness and generate goodwill among the community.

Implement On-Page SEO Best Practices

To make your website more visible to local searchers, you need to optimize your website for on-page SEO. This means following best practices that will help search engines understand what your site is about and which keywords it should rank for.

1. Keyword Mapping:

After identifying the target keywords, start mapping them to specific pages on your website. Remember, each page should have a unique target keyword that is relevant to its content. This will help search engines better understand what your site is about and which search queries it should appear for.

2. Meta Tags:

Next, make sure to optimize your page titles and meta descriptions. This will help search engines and users quickly understand what your page is about. It’s important to keep your titles and descriptions unique for each page.

3. Internal Linking:

When creating content for your website, write with your target audience in mind, and make sure to include your target keywords throughout the content. Additionally, go for internal linking between various pages on your website, which can help users find relevant information and more easily access your important pages.

4. Image Optimization:

Don’t forget about image optimization! Include eye-catching images with optimized alt text that includes your target keywords, improving your site’s visibility in search results. Reducing the file size of your images can also help your website load faster, improving the user experience.

5. Optimize URLs:

Finally, create concise and descriptive URLs for all of your pages and posts. Ideally, each URL should include the target keyword for that page. Also, be sure to fix any broken links on your site, as this can negatively impact your search engine rankings.

By following these on-page SEO best practices, you can improve your website’s visibility in local search results and attract more relevant traffic to your site.

Learn More: The Ultimate On-Page SEO Checklist To Boost Rankings and Traffic

Let Your Customers Speak for You through their Reviews on Your Website

Did you know that 85% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations?

Stats that you must know– 

• When making an online purchase, 53% of consumers prefer to read a mix of positive and negative reviews.

• Negative online reviews can drive away potential customers, as revealed by 94% of online consumers.

• As 53% of brands and retailers reported, online reviews positively influence in-store sales.

Therefore, incorporating customer reviews and testimonials is another essential element of a successful local SEO strategy.

Not only do reviews provide social proof to potential customers, but they also impact search engine rankings. In fact, online reviews are one of the most important ranking factors for local SEO.

Encourage your satisfied customers to leave reviews on Google My Business, Yelp, and other relevant review sites. Responding to reviews, both positive and negative, shows that you value customer feedback and are committed to providing a positive experience.

To make it easy for customers to leave reviews, add links to your review pages on your website, in email signatures, and on social media profiles.

Including customer reviews and testimonials on your website is also important. Highlighting positive feedback from satisfied customers can help build trust and credibility with potential customers. Consider featuring customer testimonials on your homepage or creating a dedicated page for reviews.

Make sure to respond to any negative reviews in a professional and helpful manner. Offering to address your customer’s concerns or rectifying any issues can turn a negative experience into a positive one and show potential customers that you value their business.

Speak Up Your Local SEO Strategy with Voice Search Optimization

With the rise of smart speakers, voice search is expected to continue its rapid growth in the coming years. Therefore, optimizing your website for voice search is becoming increasingly important as more people rely on voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant to find the information they need.

To optimize for voice search, it’s important to consider the conversational tone of someone speaking and adjust your SEO accordingly.

For example, sometimes people tend to use longer, more natural phrases when speaking, so it’s crucial to account for this when optimizing your content. This means you can incorporate traditional question starters like “who, what, when, where, why, and how” into your content to help capture those long-tail keywords.

Additionally, it is also important to consider user intent when optimizing for voice search…

Voice searches are often performed when the user needs a specific piece of information quickly and easily. 

For example, if someone asks Alexa to convert tablespoons to cups, they’re expecting an immediate and useful response. If a potential customer uses voice search to ask about your business’s hours, this information should also be readily available and easily accessible on your website.

So, by optimizing your website for voice search, you can ensure that your business is well-positioned to meet the needs of voice search users and capture valuable traffic and leads.

Improve Your Website’s Mobile Experience

With mobile usage increasing at a faster pace than desktop, optimizing your website for mobile is essential for local SEO success. In 2017, mobile visits to websites grew to 63%, while desktop visits declined to 37%. Furthermore, 75% of mobile searches with local intent led to offline visits within 24 hours, emphasizing the importance of a mobile-friendly website.

To improve your website’s mobile experience and boost your local SEO efforts, consider implementing these tips:

1. Improve your website’s loading speed to three seconds or less to keep visitors engaged.
2. Use larger fonts that are easy to read on a smaller screen.
3. Optimize your content for mobile by using images and text sparingly to provide only essential information.
4. Ensure an intuitive user interface to provide an excellent user experience.

By following these tips, you can create a mobile-optimized website that enhances your local SEO efforts, engages visitors, and drives offline visits to your business.

Conclusion

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, local SEO has become more crucial than ever for businesses to stand out online. With Google’s frequent updates and changes to its search algorithms, it’s vital to stay ahead of the curve and ensure your website is optimized for local searches.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of actionable local SEO tips to help you take advantage of lucrative local searches and create a solid foundation for your local SEO strategy. By implementing these tips, you can improve your online visibility and drive more offline visits to your business.

If you’re struggling to keep up with the ever-changing SEO landscape and want to outrank your competition in local search results, trust our expertise and guidance to elevate your local SEO strategy and drive more revenue to your business. 

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you succeed in local SEO.