Local SEO is the process of making your business more visible on search engines like Google and Bing.
Let's start with an easy question! What happens when you search for your favorite pizza place on Google? -After typing in the name of the restaurant, Google spits out phone numbers to call, hours, reviews, and nearby locations.
These are things that fall under local SEO (search engine optimization) which is essentially optimizing your website so it shows up when someone searches for your type of business.
The goal with this type of marketing is to make sure that people who are looking for a company close by finding you first, as opposed to someone out in an unknown part or state!
But... What are the benefits of using local SEO over other forms of marketing?
In this article, we will be looking at some of the many benefits that local SEO has to offer for small businesses. We'll also look into why you should implement local SEO as your type of marketing strategy.
What is local SEO?
Local Search Engine Optimization (LSEO) involves optimizing content and indexing it according to local regions, like cities or suburbs surrounding larger conurbations; this can help businesses find success by ranking higher on relevant searches that people conduct around them.
According to WordStream, "SEO helps you rank higher than your competitors on search engines like Google and Bing which means you'll get more free website traffic."
Why You Should Use Local SEO On Your Small Business?
Small businesses in a specific area usually do not have a lot of online presence. Even if they do, it's usually pretty weak. This lack of visibility could cause the company to lose out on potential business opportunities.
People want convenience when looking for services, and if they can't find what they are looking for easily, chances are they will go somewhere else. If your small business is not properly setup in local search results, people who are looking for what you offer will simply move on to the next business that they find.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the most effective ways to get more visibility online and optimize your presence. There are plenty of benefits when it comes to SEO, but let's focus on local SEO for small businesses.
With local SEO, you can easily appear in the top results of search engines when people are looking for different services within your vicinity. That is why it's an effective tool to grow your customer base if done right.
What are the Benefits of Local SEO for Your Small Business?
Benefit # 1 - Increased Visibility and Reach
There are several search engines out there, but Google still remains as the top dog. No matter what type of business you have, if you're not optimized on Google, it's going to be a lot more difficult to get traffic and company leads.
This is where local SEO comes in handy – because it focuses on getting your business online so that people can find you easily. When someone searches for a particular service in a particular geographical area, you can be there to satisfy their needs.
Benefit # 2 - A Professional Presence
One of the biggest issues that small businesses have with online marketing is their lack of a professional presence. This can be overcome when you decide to embrace local SEO so that your business appears more legitimate in the eyes of potential customers.
This will also give people an incentive to contact or at least consider what you have to say. Most potential customers are hesitant when they first come across a new website, so you need to reduce their fears by providing them with information that helps build trust.
The biggest problem your small business will run into without local SEO is having nothing but just an online presence on the web. This can be simple websites or social media pages, but since they are not associated with your physical location, you can't really expect them to bring in leads.
This is why it's important to use local SEO practices so that people will be able to search for what you offer within their geographical area. The most common way that this is done is by creating a Google My Business page.
Benefit # 3 - Let People Know Your Business Exists
People often assume that their target market is aware of what they have to offer when in reality, most people don't even know that such services exist. One way around this is by using the power of word-of-mouth marketing and let potential customers know your business exists.
By embracing local SEO, you can continuously get your business name out there, which is one of the best ways to market your services.
These are just some of the many benefits that come with local SEO for small business. If you want to increase traffic and get more leads, this is something you should always consider.
Benefit # 4 - Increase Traffic and Conversions Rates
One of the many benefits that come along with local SEO is the increase in traffic and conversions for your business. The benefit has been proven by Google, which found that 93% of customers begin their search with a local listing or map. This means that people are more likely to visit your website if you have listed it on Google Maps, and find what they want much faster than before.
If you rank higher in search engine results, then your website will have a higher amount of traffic. This in turn will increase your conversion rates because people are more likely to take the next step and contact you if they find what they need on your site.
Conclusion
Local SEO helps you rank higher in search engine results, meaning when people are searching for services you provide, they are more likely to find your website. On top of that, local SEO improves the content on your site. The more accurate and engaging the content is, then the more likely people are to stay on your site.
After reading this article, do you have any questions on the benefits of using local SEO for small business? Contact Us and we can help you and guide you into the next step!