Small businesses must be visible in local search results to attract new customers. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is improving the visibility of a website or web page in search engine results pages (SERPs). Local SEO is a type of SEO that helps businesses promote their products and services to local customers.
There are many ways to build your local SEO for your small business. These are some tips to get you started.
Set Your Business Up for Google Maps and Google My Business
One of the first things you need to do is set up your business on Google Maps and Google My Business. This setup will help your business show up in local search results. You can add your business name, address, phone number, website, and other important information. You can also add photos and videos to help potential customers learn more about your business.
Most business owners think they’ve already done this. Still, there might be many reasons your business isn’t showing up on Google Maps. Missing out on this crucial step means you’re missing out on valuable traffic and customers.
Make Sure You Optimize Your Website for Local Search
Another way to promote your business locally is to ensure you optimize your website for local search. When people search for businesses in their area, they will often include the city or town in their search.
For example, someone in Los Angeles might search for “Los Angeles restaurants” or “Los Angeles plumbers.” If you don’t optimize your website for these types of searches, it may be difficult for potential customers to find you.
Make Use of Local Citations
Local citations are mentions of your business on the internet, such as your business name, address, and phone number. These citations can help improve your local SEO. You can find citations on directories, websites, and even social media profiles.
Get Reviews From Customers
Reviews from customers can also help improve your local SEO. When potential customers see that others have had positive experiences with your business, they are more likely to choose your business over a competitor.
You can get reviews from customers in many different ways, including:
- Asking customers to leave reviews on your website or blog
- Asking customers to leave reviews on popular review websites, such as Yelp, Google My Business, and TripAdvisor
- Asking customers to leave reviews on your social media profiles
Creating and maintaining a solid local SEO presence is essential for any small business that wants to attract new customers. Google can drive significant traffic to your website, and potential customers are more likely to choose a company that shows up in local search results.
These steps will help you start promoting your business locally using SEO.
