By now, there’s a good chance that you’ve heard of SEO (search engine optimization). It’s the strategies that help you to increase where you rank on search results pages when potential customers look for products or services related to your business. Google and other search engines consider several factors when determining where you rank on the results pages, which then helps you to earn more quality traffic to your site. Local SEO is similar, except that it’s hyper-focused based on the location of your brick and mortar store. Here are a few tips to help boost the local ranking of your small business.
Optimize Your GMB Page
Google My Business is almost like a second homepage for your business. If you haven’t created one yet, now is a good time to do so. Here are a few things to keep in mind to optimize your page and increase your odds of getting to the top of the search results page:
- Claim your listing.
- Fill out your business information, including your name, address, phone number, and hours of operation.
- Add photos of your business, including people who run the company and work there.
- Write a business description and incorporate keywords.
Ensure Consistent NAPs
NAP is an acronym for name, address, and phone number. You’ll likely have listings on various sites, not just Google. Ensure that everywhere you have a business citation (Yahoo, Bing, Yelp, Facebook, Yellowpages, etc.), the information is the exact same. Even slight variations in your name (Macaron Bakery as opposed to The Macaron Bakery, for example) can affect your ranking. Consistency is key.
Encourage Reviews
Don’t be afraid to ask your customers to leave reviews on Google and other sites. Take some time to go through and respond to them. Even if you get a few negative reviews, how you answer negative reviews (or if you don’t say anything at all) can impact a potential customer’s decision to visit your site.
Gather Backlinks
Backlinks are links on other sites that direct visitors to yours. Here are a few ways to get these links:
- Sponsor a local event.
- Perform a local survey.
- Submit a press release.
- As your partners or vendors.
By focusing some of your attention on local SEO, you can boost your search results rankings based on your location, making it easier for potential customers performing “near me” or location-based searches to find you. With a little effort, you can increase your local presence and get your name in front of those who need you most.
