Why Local SEO is the Key to Business Success

The opinions expressed by Entrepreneur employees are their own.

While globalization has significantly changed the market, many companies are starting to build on their success by selling to local customers. Yellow pages may have been a business necessity, but online search engines have taken over. That’s why local Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has become one of the most important keys to business success, regardless of business location or scale.

What is local SEO?

Search Engine Optimization has become an integral part of marketing for businesses that rely on website traffic. Optimizing content for search engines like Google helps your website rank high in search results, increasing the likelihood that consumers will visit your website and interact with your brand.

Local SEO is simply an SEO strategy that aims to improve search results in a specific geographic area. If your business relies on online and offline customers in a specific geographic area, local SEO can be the difference between your business’ survival and prosperity.

Related: Struggling with Local Search? Here’s what your local SEO strategy needs to compete in 2022.

The value of local SEO

Google alone processes a staggering 8 billion searches every day, but more importantly, nearly 50% of all Google searches are done by people looking for local products and services. If you don’t have a local SEO strategy for your business, you will miss out on valuable online traffic. Local entrepreneurs simply cannot ignore an opportunity of this size.

Local SEO is important for online businesses and businesses looking to attract foot traffic. A few decades ago, consumers may have looked for local businesses in the yellow pages or on the map. Today, they are using search engines to find contact information, location, hours, and other details about a business.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, about one in two searches by businesses “near me” led to a store visit. If the search was done on a mobile device, the numbers were even more compelling. Nearly 90% of those queries were followed by a call or business visit within one day.

Any business that relies on local customers cannot afford to miss out on the opportunities that local SEO can offer.

Related: The 7 Downsides Local Businesses Face Online (and How to Beat Them)

Utilize local SEO and work with Google to improve rankings

Marketers and business owners have several options for increasing their visibility through local SEO. Is your brand looking to improve rankings or improve conversions and sales?

It’s fair to argue that conversions matter more than rankings, but if your business isn’t listed on the first page of results, conversions will naturally be low. For most companies, rankings and conversions are closely related.

Improving local SEO results starts with improvements in relevance, distance, and prominence. These are the three criteria that Google’s algorithm applies to determine local search results. Your company’s Google business profile should also be updated to attract more local customers.

Relevance is a measure of how accurately your company matches the online search query. The search engine is trying to determine if your business offers what the user is looking for. Providing clear and complete information on your website and business profile is critical to meeting these criteria and improving your relevance.

Proximity is how close your business is to the searcher’s exact location. If a user doesn’t specify a specific location in their search, Google will use their location based on their IP address to prioritize nearby listings. Adding the “near me” specification to a search leads to similar results. To appear in these listings, your business needs to optimize location information on your website and Google listings.

Prominence is Google’s term to describe how well known a business is online and offline. The search engine determines its prominence based on the offline information it has about a business, as well as online means such as website reviews and popularity. Increasing the number of quality reviews for your business will improve rankings. Interacting with and responding to online reviews also increases your prominence.

Algorithms tend to change regularly and without notice. Like any SEO activity, successful local SEO depends on consistent effort. Many companies benefit from expert support to manage their local SEO.

Related: Why Local SEO Is About to Become Even More Important

Covid-19’s impact on local SEO practices

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed almost every aspect of consumers’ lives. It has certainly altered shopping habits as lockdowns and movement restrictions have become the norm. At this point, it is too early to determine whether long-term consumption habits have been affected by the pandemic.

Throughout 2020 and 2021, online searches for products and services have increased, in part out of necessity. Consumers needed online alternatives to meet their needs. Right now, the evidence supports both the continued popularity of online consumerism and the growing demand for in-person shopping experiences.

One fact that is not in dispute is the incredible difficulty that the pandemic has caused for many small businesses. Many faced closures, employee layoffs and loss of customers. Carefully considered and well-managed marketing is essential for a successful restart. Proper local SEO can be the difference in this restart.

Local SEO is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase visibility to a key audience in a short amount of time. It may seem like a small part of SEO, but considering the sheer number of searches with local intent, business owners and marketers need to make it a priority.

Search engines are the new yellow pages — with far more potential to transform the future of small businesses.

Business Strategies, Business Advice & Inspiring stories are all in one place. Explore the new Entrepreneur’s Bookshop.

Why local SEO is important for small businesses?

A successful local SEO campaign will help your business because: Local SEO increases your site’s ranking in search results and in the local pack. It receives the highest levels of conversion from all local advertising channels. Increases your online visibility, especially to neighboring customers.

Why are local SEO services important? Local SEO helps your business stand out – even if you don’t have a website – and helps drive more traffic to your premises through online leads. Since these leads are from people who are specifically researching products or services your business offers, they are likely to provide a high conversion rate as well.

What is local SEO and 5 reasons why it’s important?

Top 5 reasons why local SEO is important

• It makes you more competitive. Even if you’re not investing in local SEO, you can be sure that other local businesses within your niche are. …
• You attract visitors and newcomers. …
• People want to buy locally. …
• Phone surveys drive sales. …
• It’s cheap.

What is local SEO?

Local SEO is a search engine optimization (SEO) strategy that helps your business to be more visible in local search results on Google. Any business that has a physical location or serves a geographic area can benefit from local SEO.

Why local search optimization is important?

Targeted web traffic: Optimizing your website for local search gives you more targeted traffic to your website, which can lead to more leads, subscriptions, sign-ups, and sales. More calls: Optimizing the Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) can lead to increased Google Maps visibility.

What is local SEO and its importance?

Simply put, local SEO is where you focus to improve your rankings and visibility in local search results, like Google’s Map Pack/Local Pack. Organic SEO is how you improve your webpage rankings in organic search. Your site’s ranking in these organic results can also positively influence your local package rankings.

Why should I opt for local SEO services?

Target Local Keywords SEO has always proven to be an amazing digital marketing strategy. Since many business houses rely on SEO to improve company sales and ROI, you should choose to hire a local SEO service in 2020 to optimize optimal strategies to get the most out of your business.

Who benefits from local & Because? With local SEO, your business gains more visibility as it is found by the right people who are interested in your product at the right time. When your business is more visible, it means more profits, sales, and even relevance.

Why you need local SEO services?

What is local SEO and why is local SEO important? Local SEO helps you optimize your website to rank better in search results and reach your local audience. By optimizing for your city and address, you help people find your business online and get them to visit you offline.

What is local SEO and 5 reasons why it’s important?

Top 5 reasons why local SEO is important

• It makes you more competitive. Even if you’re not investing in local SEO, you can be sure that other local businesses within your niche are. …
• You attract visitors and newcomers. …
• People want to buy locally. …
• Phone surveys drive sales. …
• It’s cheap.

Who should use local SEO?

Any business that has a physical location or serves a geographic area can benefit from local SEO. If you search Google for important keywords related to your business and a map with 3 listings appears below it (aka map pack), local SEO can help you grow your business.

What matters for local SEO?

According to Whitespark’s ‘2021 Local Search Ranking Factors’ survey, these are what local SEO experts believe are the top Local Pack ranking factors:

• GBP main category.
• Keywords in the listing title.
• Proximity of the business address to the researcher’s location.
• Physical address in the research city.

Is local SEO still relevant?

In fact, only 44% of businesses have claimed their Google My Business listing, which is one of the absolute first steps on any local SEO optimization checklist. That’s why local SEO is so important for businesses. Local searches grow at a huge rate and lead to more sales.

Why You Should Do local SEO?

Local SEO helps you optimize your website to rank better in search results and reach your local audience. By optimizing for your city and address, you help people find your business online and get them to visit you offline.

What is local SEO and 5 reasons why it’s important?

Top 5 reasons why local SEO is important

• It makes you more competitive. Even if you’re not investing in local SEO, you can be sure that other local businesses within your niche are. …
• You attract visitors and newcomers. …
• People want to buy locally. …
• Phone surveys drive sales. …
• It’s cheap.

What is local SEO and its importance?

Simply put, local SEO is where you focus to improve your rankings and visibility in local search results, like Google’s Map Pack/Local Pack. Organic SEO is how you improve your webpage rankings in organic search. Your site’s ranking in these organic results can also positively influence your local package rankings.

What is local SEO?

Local SEO is a search engine optimization (SEO) strategy that helps your business to be more visible in local search results on Google. Any business that has a physical location or serves a geographic area can benefit from local SEO.

Why local search optimization is important?

Targeted web traffic: Optimizing your website for local search gives you more targeted traffic to your website, which can lead to more leads, subscriptions, sign-ups, and sales. More calls: Optimizing the Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) can lead to increased Google Maps visibility.

How is local SEO different from SEO?

Here’s the difference. While traditional SEO focuses on improving your site’s visibility on a national or global scale, local SEO allows you to capture local search territory to connect with searchers in your area.

What is Local SEO? Local SEO is a search engine optimization (SEO) strategy that helps your business to be more visible in local search results on Google. Any business that has a physical location or serves a geographic area can benefit from local SEO.

What is local SEO and why is it so important?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is an online strategy that can result in your website appearing at the top of search engine results pages. If you want to attract and engage customers in your area, you will definitely need local SEO. This is where you optimize your site for local search results.

Why You Should Do local SEO?

Local SEO helps you optimize your website to rank better in search results and reach your local audience. By optimizing for your city and address, you help people find your business online and get them to visit you offline.

Why is local SEO services important for local business?

Local SEO provides better conversion rates by driving targeted traffic and increasing conversion rates. Conversion is more likely for users looking for more localized content.

What is local SEO and 5 reasons why it’s important?

Top 5 reasons why local SEO is important

• It makes you more competitive. Even if you’re not investing in local SEO, you can be sure that other local businesses within your niche are. …
• You attract visitors and newcomers. …
• People want to buy locally. …
• Phone surveys drive sales. …
• It’s cheap.

Why local SEO is important for SEO?

Local SEO allows you to put important information about your website online, such as your business address and phone number. Also, you can highlight and promote the type of products or services you offer on your website using SEO techniques.

What are the benefits of local SEO services?

Benefits of Local SEO

• Improved Traffic. Did you know that local information is the subject of 46% of all Google searches. …
• Better conversion rates. …
• Less advertising costs. …
• Continuous Business Growth. …
• Long-term rankings. …
• Bypass Contest. …
• Get more local reviews. …
• Get links with neighboring businesses.

What is local SEO for small business?

What is Local SEO for Small Businesses? Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving your website to increase the chances of it being seen when people search for terms related to your business. Local SEO is a similar endeavor, but with a particular focus in terms of local keywords.

Is SEO Worth It for Small Businesses? Even if you choose to invest money in SEO, the ROI can more than double if the marketing campaign is well-orchestrated. So the simple answer is ‘yes’, SEO is worthwhile for any small business, even those that don’t operate online.

How much should I pay local SEO?

Typical local SEO campaigns cost between $300 and $2,000 a month, depending on your business needs, your competition, and your geographic location.

Is it worth it to pay for SEO?

SEO is worth it if you have the right strategy and work with a partner who knows how to get results. About 93% of online experiences start with a search engine, and the lead closing rate of SEO is much higher than that of traditional marketing. Therefore, SEO offers an impressive return on investment (ROI).

How much does SEO that works cost?

How much does Brian Dean’s “SEO That Works” SEO Course Cost? Brian Dean’s “SEO That Works” course costs $5,964 when paid in 12 monthly installments of $497.

What kind of businesses need local SEO?

6 Types of Businesses That Get More Rewards from Local SEO

• Medical services. Businesses that provide medical services, such as doctor’s offices, dental offices, and urgent care clinics, are perfect for local SEO. …
• Law firms. …
• Bars and restaurants. …
• plumbers …
• Pet services. …
• Real estate.

Do local businesses need SEO?

Benefits of Local SEO The reasons why all businesses need local SEO is because search engines have realized that many users are looking for specific services and products near them. According to Google, 46% of searches now have a ‘local intent’.

Who needs local SEO?

Any business that has a physical location or serves a geographic area can benefit from local SEO. If you search Google for important keywords related to your business and a map with 3 listings appears below it (aka map pack), local SEO can help you grow your business.