Top 10 tips For Local SEO
The content of this blog post shows those vital things that are needed to rank your website for local searches.
Why Local SEO is so important
It is a fact that the rate of conversions taken from local searches is very high. This is certainly not something new to local business owners. All local businesses are willing to get this local, high converting and targeted traffic, but the problem is, how to get them.
The concept of SEO can be very confusing at first, and can even remain so after a very long time. But one interesting fact is that you do not have to be an expert in SEO before you can acquire the needed traffic. There is no need for you to invest so much money, or carry out research for months. The content of this post shows those vital things that are needed to rank your website for local searches.
Top Tip #1. Have a mobile optimised website
It is very important for you to have a website that is mobile optimised. If you have a website that is not mobile optimised, every local SEO you carry out will only end up unproductive, because you will be sending people to a website that they will hate and leave.
According to the Google, “Mobile Planet Smartphone Research report in 2013”:
It is very important for local businesses to appear well on Smartphones. 94% of people that use smartphone search for local information through their phone, and about 84% make a purchase or get in touch with the business owners.
And that was only in 2013. In the year 2014, mobile traffic overtook desktop traffic on the Internet. It is also getting even better in the year 2015.
Check to see if your website is mobile friendly.
Top Tip #2. Carry out basic local SEO on your website
To ensure your website is seen on local searches, the first thing for you to do is ensure that your website is well optimised for search engines. Here are some things you should do:
Your company’s address, mobile number and hours of business should be added to the footer of your site. Your website logo should be alt tagged. When you are alt tagging, the name, city, state, address of your company as well as the business type should be added.
On your homepage, ensure you add content of about 300 words. This is particularly crucial so that people will know the types of service your business is rendering, who your target audience are, and understanding your approach. If you have many images on your website, that is great, but ensure you add captions to your images. After headlines, the second most-often read is your captions.
Is your website Google friendly?
Top Tip #3. Set up your Google My Business listing
For those that have been in business for a long time, you must have noticed that Google’s business listings have undergone a great many transformations. The latest is Google My Business. Right now, listing on Google is free, and if there is one listing you should have on the internet, then it should be Google.
Ensure you complete the company information in your profile. Select as many business categories as your business qualifies for. Also upload your business images, include the business hours.
Top Tip #4. Set up your Yahoo Local Basic listing
Local businesses can easily submit listings on Yahoo: Local through Infoserve. This is the specific provider for UK business listings for Yahoo clients. Not only can you have your contact details and web link posted, but it will make it easier for consumers scouring all the top search engines to find you and your services.
Top Tip #5. Set up a Bing Places for Business listing
Google definitely have a greater audience than Bing. However it is still very effective, which implies that listing your business there is really worth it. Go over to Bing Places for Business and follow the step-by-step instructions you find there. It’s free.
Top Tip #6. Set up Apple Maps Connect
Irrespective of its struggles, the Apple Maps app is still being used by most people. The app is being improved by Apple by allowing owners of business add their own listings. This is a free listing. You will be required to sign up with an Apple ID.
Top Tip #7. Start building a steady, slow trickle of customer reviews
Important aspects of your business are reviews. Based on a local media tracking study, about 38% of visitors are looking for reviews. You can get reviews from:
• Facebook
• Yelp
• Google
• Yahoo
• Bing
• Switchboard
• Foursquare
There are different approaches to acquiring reviews. It is arguably one of the most talked about topics of local SEO.
Two important things you should know when it comes to reviews are:
• Do not pay for reviews
• Do not let someone buy reviews for you
Acquiring reviews will assist you with Google ranking. When you have about 25 positive reviews or more from Google users, your SEO rankings on Google will be increased. However, Yelp discourages businesses from asking customers for reviews.
Top Tip #8. Check your business listing on the major directories and sites
These sites below feed search engines and other sources of local data and even better, they are free!:
• Cylex UK
• Freeindex
• Thomson Local
• Business Magnet
• Lacartes
• Business Line
• Locanto
Top Tip #9. Add local directory listings
One of the best listings you will get is a listing from your local Chamber of Commerce, if you can pay for it. Local directories that are right for your business can change depending on your business location, and the type of business you are into.
Just like with every of your other business listings, ensure that your business information is 100% consistent. For instance, if you have been spelling “Avenue” on all other business listings, do not change over to spelling as “Ave.” for these listings.
Top Tip #10. Build your social following
You can get different books on this course of action. While you are building your social followers, you could employ a full-time person to carry this through, but usually there is no need for you to go that far. Just do your best. You don’t need for you to update your Facebook page everyday – carrying out an update once a week is good enough. If there is time, then you can tweet every day. Making use of a tool like Buffer or Hootsuite will save you time, both of which offer a free services, as well as a paid option.
If you need help in marketing your business, just not having time to do all of this, we can help. enquiry form here.
Original Article
Read More On Digital Doughnut