Appearing in local search is something businesses need to be taking very seriously. The rise of mobile has made this concept even more prevalent. In fact, a study by Google found that 88% of ‘near me’ searches were conducted on a mobile device.
It’s important to realize that ranking on a local search (in any capacity) is no overnight job. Local SEO is extremely competitive and when it comes to any sort of SEO strategy, there is one thing to keep in mind: it changes constantly.
There are many different factors that come into play when etching out a name for yourself in the local market. Here are our top four fundamental steps to get you started.
Four steps for a bulletproof local search strategy
1. Prioritize titles and meta description tags
Titles and meta description tags are customizable elements that let users know what your website, or webpages, are about. Remember, most users scan the results of online searches very quickly, so these descriptions should be concise and easily absorbed.
When looking at title tags:
- The typical title length is between 50 and 60 characters
- Meta descriptions are between 160 and 200 characters
- Each word needs to be used strategically to give the user exactly what they want to know.
If you want to attract local searches, be sure to include the name of the city or geographic area that you are targeting and try to position the keyword as near to the beginning as possible.
Writing titles and meta descriptions is an art form: you need to make every single element matter.
2. Add your business to Top4
Just in case you don’t already know, Top4 is a Location-based Google Marketing Platform developed and built by some of the greatest minds in Australia for more than three years… with more than 2 decades of experience in search engine optimisation, website development and digital marketing.
We’ve worked our fingers to the bone… so you don’t have to. And since then, many businesses have seen a great increase in their website traffic. A Top4 Local Microsite is your new local advantage that boosts your website’s traffic alongside publishing across all major Social Media Platforms, Google My Business & Google Maps.
With Top4, you can be sure that your complete business information is displayed correctly and consistently. Additionally, visitors can ‘dig deeper’ and understand your business, and whether or not your business has something they need, by reading the business’ Description and Overview. Additionally, they can also see photos related to your business through the Gallery, as well as the Products you are offering.
We’re the team that does it all – we manage all of your digital marketing and social media presence with a focus on localizing content, managing online reviews, and reputation as well as for multi-location businesses and franchises. Whether you have one or 100 locations, we can manage them all for you with our platform.
Schedule a free demo to find out about our amazing platform and how it works!
3. Get more online reviews
It’s no secret that online reviews play a big role in purchasing decisions these days. In fact, studies have found that 94% of consumers trust them, just as much as personal recommendations.
Google also recognizes their importance and factors them into your rankings. Therefore, getting positive reviews needs to be something you are consistently pursuing. Keep in mind that you may need to ask customers to complete a review. You should also consider doing the following:
- Outline your goals. How many reviews do you want each month?
- Determine KPIs
- Identify effective ways to follow up with customers for reviews
- Know how employees/customer service will factor in
- Have an approach to continuously optimize.
With Top4, you can both manage and get more online reviews for your business!
With one easy click, you can import your existing contacts from Gmail and send them emails to ask for your business’ reviews. If you don’t know what to write, we also added a customized message that will help you convey your message!
4. Post local content
If you want to rank locally, you must produce high-quality content that pertains to your area of operation. This can be through blog posts, online Q&As, or any other type of page that is specific to the local area. For written content, it’s best to keep the length in the ballpark of 1000 words.
When writing content, there are a number of factors to think about:
- Understand your ideal customer
- Know when and where they consume content
- Align with the buyer’s journey
- Keep your messaging consistent
- Publish at a steady pace
- Promote across your channels.
If you have a number of different locations, it’s a wise move to set up separate landing pages for each.
Creating and distributing branded content is one of the key methods for differentiating yourself in the market. With whatever you produce, be sure your messaging is relevant, informative, and actionable.
Takeaways
Following these steps to improve local SEO is not a one-off action; ranking high in the SERPS requires strong and persistent efforts. Furthermore, you will need to keep an eye out for new trends and how to capitalize accordingly. As the search engines are constantly changing, knowing what to do when an update is rolled out should be pre-defined.
To find out how we can help you with your Website + Marketing, using our unique location marketing platform called Top4, get in touch today www.top4marketing.com.au
Looking to build customer loyalty through social media? Don’t forget to add your business to Top4.com.au
List your business, create your own digital store to sell goods and services, and share posts on social media. Promote your business on Google instantly! Should you need help with local digital marketing then view our new Google Marketing Platform and services Top4 Marketing
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Source: searchenginewatch