Local SEO Guide: What To Know

Apr 26, 2022 -- Posted by : Ed.Moore

If you are trying to run a successful business in the current environment, it is important for you to focus on your backyard. That is where local search engine optimization, usually shortened to local SEO, is important. If you execute a strong local SEO strategy, you can land at the top of the search results rankings for important terms and phrases in your geographic area. This could make it easier for you to generate not only more online traffic but also more foot traffic. Learn more about how to improve your local search rankings below.

Pay Attention To Your Niche

First, you need to learn more about your niche. It is probably very competitive, and you need to learn how to stay ahead of your competitors. Some of the questions you need to answer include:

What do your customers like most about what you do?
What do you think your business could be better at?
Where are opportunities for you to increase your profit margins?
What are some of the threats that could get in the way of your business?

If you answer these questions, you will have the foundation of your strategy. You need to figure out what you do well, what you can improve on, and how you can get the most bang for your buck. This includes not only your capital but also your time.

Learn About Your Competitors

Next, you need to pay attention to your competitors. Your competitors are like your teachers. You can take a look at their mistakes and figure out how you can stay ahead of them. At the same time, you can pay attention to their strengths and use them as a roadmap for your success. Some of the most important points you need to learn about your competitors include:

Popularity: Which of your competitors is the most popular? You need to pay attention to reviews, ratings, local directories, and awards. Figure out why they are more popular than you, and learn how to emulate them.
Unique Services and Features: What do your competitors do that stand out from the crowd? In this situation, you should use Google My Business to identify local competitors and take a look at what your competitors are doing well.
Updates: How fast and how frequently do your competitors update their content? The more often people update their websites with quality content, the easier it will be for them to get the attention of search engines.

If you pay attention to these features, you can learn which of your competitors is most important.

Keyword Research and Optimization

If you want to execute a strong local SEO strategy, you need to pay attention to the information on your page. On-page SEO means optimizing your content, the elements of your website, your tags, and your multimedia graphics.

Some of the factors to keep in mind include:

Identify keywords that are related to your business. For example, if you run a restaurant, you need to target terms related to the restaurant industry.
Use keywords that are specific to your location. If you live in New York, you need to target terms that have New York-specific terms.
Pay attention to the search volume of certain terms and phrases. The more frequently they are searched, the more valuable they will be for you.
You need to think about search intent. Why is someone using a certain word or phrase? Are they simply looking to learn more about a service? Or, are they ready to buy something?

There are tools you can use to identify the most important keywords for your specific local SEO strategy.

Consider the User Experience

Next, you need to think about how you can arrange an organized you're content to be more friendly to your user. You can not only meet the important requirements of SEO but also convince your customers to do business with you. Some of the ways you can improve your content include:

Make sure your content offers solutions to the problems of your users.
Ensure it is informative and provides information that they will need.
Convince people that you are the right person for the job by providing proof of the quality of your products and services.
Optimize your website for both desktop computers and mobile devices.
Ensure you are using the right words and phrases in the right locations.
Do not plagiarize yourself or any of your other website pages.

How do you know where to put keywords? Some of the most important places to put them include:

Include keywords in your URL address.
Put them in the title of each page.
Use them in the meta description.
Place them in your heading, including H1 to H4.
You should include them and tags for your pages, images, and videos.
Make sure you put keywords on your FAQ page as well.

Google My Business 3-Pack

If you want to generate as much traffic as possible, you need to try to land in the coveted Google 3-Pack. One of the ways to do this is to optimize your Google My Business page.

You need to create a listing and Google My Business. Then, look through all of the available points and select the most important ones for your business. This is what customers will see when they identify your business on their search results page.

Some of the tips for landing in this area include:

Make sure your name, address, and phone number are consistent across all local directories.
Make sure you share reviews on your GMB page.
Update your content regularly.
Make sure you include plenty of pictures.

If you keep these tips in mind, you can improve your chances of landing in the coveted Google 3-Pack.

Generate a Strong Local SEO Strategy

If you keep these tips in mind, you should be able to generate a strong local SEO strategy. Keep in mind that this is not something you need to go through on your own. If you have questions about how to improve your local SEO strategy, reach out to our team for SEO Services in Fort Myers, Naples to Tampa and everywhere in between.

- Ed Moore, SEO Coach

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