Here Are 5 Reasons Your Business Need Local SEO
Never underestimate the power of Local Search Engine Optimization (Local SEO). Many Digital Marketers and SEO Experts knows its value and are now wisely investing the most time in it; therefore, reaping the best rewards for their customers.
The importance of Local SEO is only going to increase with time, especially for Small Online Businesses and Startups. Here are 5 reasons why:
Local Scale Publicity
Perhaps, the most notable reason for using Local SEO is, it will make your business more appealing to the customers within reach in your local area. This benefit alone is crucial for the Small Business Owner because not many have much revenue to spend on advertising, especially starting off. It’s free promotion. It’s free publicity. Sounds nice right?
Well, it’s not completely free. Since you don’t have money, you have to invest time. Whether it’s taking photos for interviews, attending local events, creating profiles on Review Sites like Yelp and Angie’s List, adding your website to Local Online Business Sites like Google Places, Fouresquare, YP, and Bing Places, you have to pay with time. Yes it is time consuming, but it’s well worth every minute of it.
But here’s my advice on pictures, make sure all your images are high-quality before you upload them to these sites. You will be thank yourself later.
Networking With Local Businesses
Another big part of using Local SEO is forming new friendships with other Business Owners just like you. In business, networking is a must. There are just some things you just have to do and this is one of them. It’s very rare that a business grows without networking and meeting new people. You may meet someone who knows someone that may be able to help you or you may be able to help each other.
Another reason networking is so important is, you can exchange ideas with like-minded people and experts who have similar companies like yours. You may even decide to host and organize an event together. You may meet other Website Owners and Local Bloggers that may want to partner up with you. You can pass out your Business Cards, which may even earn you a new links to your website. Wouldn’t that be nice? You can’t go wrong with Local networking.
The Rise of Mobile Devices
More users are using their cellphones to search for businesses vs their PC, which is why Google updated its search algorithm to suit the needs of mobile users by developing the Mobile First Indexing. Even Smartwatches are being optimized for mobile devices. You can safely assume that local and proximity-based searches are going to dominate PC searches soon….maybe one day make them obsolete. So basically, Local SEO is no longer optional, it is a must have, if you don’t want to get left behind. Out with the old and in with the new.
Optimize Your Website For Local SEO
If your business has a physical location, installing Google or Bing Maps will help your customers plan their routes to your location. This can be extremely helpful for tourists too; even profitable. With the help of Yelp, Google and Bing Places, they allow companies to add their websites and business information for free, along with pictures. So there is no reason your website should not pop up online, when someone Google you. Again, yes it is a lot of work, but if you want a successful business, it has to be done. Local Search Engine Optimization is the future.
Increase Profit
In a study done by Search Engine Land , they revealed, 78% of local mobile searches and 61% of local laptop searches led to offline purchases. For mobile phone owners, 79 percent of them and 81 percent of tablet owners used those devices for local searches. Now do you see why Local SEO is so important. A customer could be walking down the street and surfing the internet, stumble across your site, see something they like and buy it. It’s just that simple. But you really don’t have to go at this alone. There are plenty of SEO Companies that will provide Local SEO Services for you.
This is really useful. I struggle with the whole concept of SEO, and am coming round to the idea that I need to start local and build from there. Will be looking out for opportunities to do that in my own area.
Thank you Maureen! It will all come together as you continue. I do have a few classes starting soon to teach SEO if you are interested..It will be on the other site, smazzit.com in about a month and a half…Let me know…
Funny, I recently published a blog post entitled: “Ignore local SEO at your own risk.” I totally agree with your post. Local SEO allows us to separate ourselves from the ‘jungle’ and carve out our own little local space away from the heavyweight competition.
Yes definitely! There was a time when it didn’t matter as much, but now it matters even more. Thank you Jamaica Web Design…What is your website name? I will like to read yours too..
Yes definitely! There was a time when it didn’t matter as much, but now it matters even more. Thank you Jamaica Web Design…What is your website name? I will like to read yours too..
Here is the article that I posted. I would love if you could leave a comment as well. https://yahjam.com/ignore-local-seo-at-your-own-risk/
Nice article..I just wrote a comment..You have given me some more tips to add..Thank you
Hello Maureen, yes it can be tough sometimes and time-consuming..It may take a few years or less to understand it fully but it can be done. I write a few articles a week regarding SEO or business tips and I will start writing daily tips soon. If you want, I can add you to my email list so you can be one of the first to get the articles. Local SEO is even more important now than it’s ever been. We also offer Affordable SEO Services too and pretty soon, I will be releasing an app outside of the app I already have for the site to teach SEO. .. Thank you so much..
How do we set up? This is helpful but I’m definitely not a tech wiz!
Hello Tara, and thank you for reading my article. Yes some of these things are time consuming but you can do them. You do have to have some type of Internet Marketing and SEO knowledge, but it’s not really hard to do..There are many tips in the article to get you started. We can also help you at a small affordable cost, if needed…
Great tips for businesses to grow using SEO strategies. So many people are unaware of how SEO can help their local business so I hope you publish more on this topic.
To reach locality specific customers local SEO may give exceptional results. The tips you shared appear tricky but I am sure, these techniques will help us approach our prospective customers in a certain locality. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!
Yes it definitely works Amanda! We have to promote on every level..And promoting locally should be the easiest..
True, Search engines have sought to increase their advertiser base by moving aggressively into
providing directory information. Applications such as Google Maps, Yahoo! Local, and Bing
Maps have introduced disruptive technology to local directory information by mashing up
maps with directory listings, reviews/ratings.
Local SEO becomes very important especially for local businesses, if you have Pizza in Manhattan, people are expected to find you when they search for a Pizza in Manhatten, and Local SEO could help
You get it Kate! This is why local SEO is soooooo important..