Local SEO is an excellent chance to capture so-called proximity buyers, or those who want to make a purchase without wasting too much time on the go. So, let’s look at what the components are for successful local SEO.
There is a lot of discussion regarding SEO, what it is and what it is used for. Often, however, a single speech is delivered without distinguishing between the many acts and activities and without truly knowing which method is the most effective. SEO, in all of its complexities and declinations, is not a bingo bag from which to choose random numbers, but rather a series of methods arranged and reasoned in accordance with the goals to be reached.
In a nutshell, what is local SEO?
These are SEO optimization actions centered on local search, as the name implies. For some time now, mobile device searches have played an increasingly vital role, providing a considerable boost to local SEO.
But what are the benefits of operating in a “local” manner and thereby focusing on a limited section of the territory? To grasp it better, consider SEO optimization in a larger sense, one that is based on the usage of certain keywords as well as a series of extra actions targeted at ranking high on search engine results pages.
Certain keywords, on the other hand, are highly sought after; it goes without saying that the major enterprises that exploit them devour tiny businesses, making it impossible to place oneself on a term on which a market behemoth is positioned.
Here comes local SEO, which enables even small and medium-sized businesses to rank well on search engine results pages.
The benefits of local SEO for certain business categories
The advantages that can be obtained by taking advantage of local SEO are different, it all lies in developing a good strategy. The goal is to intercept proximity consumers, therefore potential customers who need a product or service close to them and who mostly want to buy in a physical store.
Proximity consumers prefer to find what they are looking for within a short distance of their location, which is why the store they are looking for must be close to where they are.
This is a huge possibility for various activities, in particular for freelancers, such as lawyers, doctors, but also workers, craftsmen, insurance agencies, banks. Local SEO, for all these activities, can really mean the turning point in an increasingly competitive market.
How local SEO is done
The first thing you need is a good online presence. If you don’t have it, there’s no point trying to scrape some chance contact with local SEO. We will never tire of repeating that these activities cannot be improvised and require skills, perseverance, determination and patience.
The online presence
The construction of one’s online presence cannot disregard SEO on page activities, therefore internal optimization of the pages, and activities external to the site, such as link building activities which, in synergy with local SEO, help the activity to position itself in a congenial on the results page and to attract users who need that product or service that the company offers in that specific place.
Reviews
Reviews are another essential ingredient for a business that works. In local SEO, these play a really incisive role to the point that they are considered the greatest ranking factor.
Reviews must be of quality, we will select the best ones, those that will be more indicative and descriptive and that will really make a contribution to other users regarding our service or our products.
Also in this case, therefore, it is important to take care of the image of your business both on the web and off the web.
An effective showcase: Google My Business
Another key ingredient of local SEO is Google My Business. Sure you already know it, but do you really know how to make it effective? Well, take care of the description of your business in all its parts and update it frequently, so that all the information is always correct.
Within the My Business tab, you will now find the question and answer function that is used directly by users, so we recommend that you follow this space carefully.
A few other useful tips
Finally, in addition to the things we have exposed to you so far, we recommend that you give your potential customers as much information as possible. For example, if your business is a restaurant, in addition to giving the correct information (preferably with Google maps), provide all the contacts, maybe write how many tables you have, if you need to book and, if so, how much in advance.
All of this will greatly help you rank locally on the results page.