Sometime you may be wondering why Google search results differ after some time. It is simple; Google has separate algorithms for local results. By this, it delivers the locally available results depending on your location even though a geo-modifier was not in the search.
Local SEO differs from traditional SEO in that; local SEO limits your searches to a particular geographic region. Thus, if you are doing a significant business, it is important that you optimize your site by incorporating local SEO to generate more leads to your business and also to rank high in local SEO.
This does not mean that other regular SEO attributes should get disputed. It is time you perfect all the other aspects of SEO such as creating relevant content while emphasizing your target location. This ensures that the right people in the area get content that is relevant to their needs. You do this by;
Local SEO is All About Where You Provide Services
Here, there are two important aspects to rank high in local search engines. Google and other search engines will also locate you easily and direct you to the areas your services are needed.
• Give proper name, address and phone number- you can consider using Moz Local and Yelp.
• Claim your location- you do this by ensuring that you give correct information in Google My Business.
Local Links and Citations
You should add relevant backlinks to your site. However, you have to put be reasonable in the number of links you provide. Ensure that you do not link just for the sake of it. Establish a realistic linking with sites that relate to your business. Also, you can link your site to other local business in your area. Establish a correlation between the business to cement your place in the area hence easier search results. Example, you can use local sponsorships and charity to create long-lived local links.
Local Content
If you are running a local company, it is essential that your business is both topical relevant and locational relevant. Your content should feature your pillar topic, coupled with a geo-modifier of the local area. By this, you are advantaged in that you can relate your content to the locality. When you decide to make your blog a local destination, you generate massive traffic that is converting to your business. Also, when your content is locally relevant, you can easily claim your location and rank well in the local search engines.
Other Local Factors To Consider
For local searches, proximity is a top-notch factor that can determine the success of your business. Google works to avail the nearby results to the searcher. Thus, you have to stand distinguished so that Google and other search engines to recognize you.
Therefore, for the ranking system to locate you, your content has to be highly optimized since the results get arranged depending on proximity. Your clients should easily access your services when they need them.
Here Are Three Essentials To Facilitate Your Accessibility
1. Google My Business
Google my business is the place to start. It is a free tool used by business to manage their online presence across Google, Searches, and Maps. It serves to direct your clients to your physical location, hence improving your local SEO. Once you have claimed your location, ensure that your information is correct.
After this, Google My Business will trend the information on your Knowledge Panel on brand searches. Google uses organic searches to locate you. Therefore, you should not fake your address since this will misguide your clients. For Google my business, your brand name has to be well outlined on signage.
2. Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are an important aspect in establishing local algorithm. Once the information about your business gets populated on your Knowledge Panels, the searcher will first familiarize with the customer reviews on Google. It is crucial that your reviews get well distributed on other sites such as Facebook, and Yelp. Google establishes an algorithm based on other reviews. Yelp distributes your review to Apple maps. Example, when someone searches your business on an iPhone, they will see Yelp star instead of Google stars.
It is essential that you give a response despite the review. Even when the review is negative, your response counts. It is a text on how to handle your clients bearing in mind that people have different opinions. Be natural on your response and do not give some obvious responses to address the situation at hand. When someone gives a negative review, do not show disinterest by dismissing them, try to do some follow up and give an ear to their view. You can use Google My Business feature to respond to the reviews on the platform.
3. Behavioral and Social signals
Even in the traditional SEO, behavioral and social signals such as keyword played an important role. Thus, it is not time to dismiss them. Keywords are the signals the searcher uses to determine whether the search results are relevant and in context with their searches. Even so, much emphasis might not be on the keyword, but, the intention coupled with the keyword.
Does it relate to the search algorithm? If its content cannot be relied on, it is not important. Local SEO has made it easier for you. You aim to stand differentiated from the surrounding business. Hence the hassle is worth it. However, the hassle is not to get belittled. It will require that you employ the appropriate local SEO strategy to stand out from the competition near you.
Boosting Local Search Results
For many small businesses, the local SEO strategy has fallen on deaf ears. They are doing it all wrong. The entrepreneurs forget that it is only in this way that they can beat the competition surrounding them. Thus, it is time you let Google do it for you. With Google, your online presence rating from the customer reviews will be well managed. However, you have to facilitate viable information about your physical location to Google. Hence, you have to secure relevant links from the community and also include relevant content about your business and your neighborhood.
Let MosierData help you stand out in your neighborhood.