3 Ways To Optimize Your Website For Local SEO [VIDEO]
Local SEO is a powerful way to increase your online visibility to customers for businesses with physical locations.
Google has released reports that show that between 40-50% of searches online have local based intent, which means that someone is looking for a product or service in their local area.
Local searches usually include search terms such as ‘near me’ or ‘best’ in the keywords. They have a stronger buying intent as often it means people want to buy soon or visit your location.
To improve the quality of your local SEO, here are three ways that can help.
1) Claim, Verify and Update Your Google Listing
Google provides each business with a way to share their products and services with the world for free. It’s called ‘Google My Business’ listing, and it is easy to claim once you are in business.
Getting your Google My Business listing set up and completed, gives you a significant advantage in local search. It allows your users to find you much easier in the search results.
Google also creates a sub-listing called a local ‘three-pack,’ which features the top three local business results near the top of the organic search results.
2) Submit To Reputable, Relevant Directories
Directories are an easy and free way to increase your online visibility. Local directories include sites like Yelp, Local Yellow Pages, Yahoo Local, to name a few of the big players.
There are also smaller industry-specific directories that allow you to submit a listing. However, keep in mind that when submitting to these smaller sites that they are relevant. For example, if you own a flower shop, you don’t want to submit your company to a directory for engineering companies. If Google finds your site listed in non-relevant search engines, it can hinder your SERP listings.
3) Use Schema Markup
Shema Markup (sometimes called Structured Data or Semantic Vocabulary) is a form of code that you can add to your website. It helps Google to understand what the page is about and to provide better information to its users.
Schema allows Google to share extra information about your products. For example, in an ecommerce business, you can enable your products to show price, ratings, and reviews that help customers to buy.
Although schema might feel tedious at times to implement, in the end, it is worth it for better results in search.
Remember that with local SEO, the more you help a person to find what they want, the more likely they are to buy it from you. Take the time to implement these tips into your site, and watch your local SEO traffic grow.
