Local SEO is crucial to small businesses’ search engine optimisation (SEO).
With most consumers searching for local businesses online, having a solid online presence is essential for driving foot traffic and increasing sales.
Let’s explore how small businesses can maximise their local SEO and improve online visibility.
Claim and optimise your Google My Business (GMB) profile
Google My Business (GMB) is a free platform offered by Google that allows small businesses to manage their online presence across Google, including search and maps. By claiming and optimising your GMB profile, you can improve your visibility in local search results and reach potential customers in your area.
As part of claiming and optimising your GMB profile, start by verifying your business information and ensuring it is accurate and up-to-date. This includes your business name, address, phone number, website URL, hours of operation, and other relevant information. You should also add high-quality photos of your business and products/services to help potential customers better understand your offer.
Incorporate local keywords in your website content.
Incorporating local keywords in your website content can help improve your visibility in local search results. This includes using keywords that have your city or state, such as “best pizza in [city]” or “best hair salon in [state].” Make sure to include these keywords in your page titles, headings, and throughout your website content to help search engines understand the relevance of your website to local searchers.
Do not stuff your website with local keywords – it needs to be part of the natural conversation.
Get listed in local business directories.
In addition to GMB, there are many other local business directories that you can list your business, such as Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Yellow Pages. These directories can help improve your visibility in local search results and provide potential customers with information about your business, including reviews, photos, and hours of operation.
Encourage customer reviews
Encouraging customers to leave reviews on your GMB profile and other local business directories can help improve your online reputation and increase your visibility in local search results.
Responding to positive and negative customer reviews can also show potential customers that you are engaged and responsive, which can help build trust and increase their likelihood of choosing your business.
Engage an SEO professional.
SEO is more than we have listed above. By doing the above things, in addition to working on your website SEO with a professional, you can appear more frequently in local searches,
In conclusion, maximising your local SEO is essential for small businesses looking to improve their online visibility and reach potential customers in their area.
By claiming and optimising your GMB profile, incorporating local keywords in your website content, getting listed in local business directories, and encouraging customer reviews, small businesses can improve their local SEO and reach their target audience.
To work on your SEO – Contact Kelly @ My Sassy Business.
