Local SEO best practices | 10 Tips

Boost local visibility with our guide! Learn 10 Proven Local SEO Best Practices for dominating searches and thriving online.

What is Local SEO?

Local SEO, or Local Search Engine Optimization, is improving a company’s presence in local search results. 

Local SEO is essential for businesses with a physical location or those serving a specific geographic area. The goal is to enhance visibility and attract local customers when they search for products or services related to that particular location.

According to GO-Globe, almost half of the searches on Google are for local products and services. Currently, fifty percent of brands use location data to reach their customers. Search Engine Land reports that a significant portion, ranging from 85 to 95 percent, of consumer engagement, occurs through location assets such as local listings and local pages.

You can learn more about Local SEO from our latest blog article: Click to read everything about Local SEO.

10 Local SEO best practices

1.Set up a Google Business Profile (Google My Business) & optimize it.

As an agency who has been involved in SEO for years, this is one of the best Local SEO tips we can offer you.

In our simple guide on How to set up a Google Business Profile for your business, we explained how to add your business to Google by setting up a GBP. 

In brief, Google Business Profile (GBP) is a free business listing platform that lets you manage your business presence on Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Shopping. 

With a business profile, you can connect with existing and potential customers, show what you offer, and more. It shares important details about your business, like your address, phone number, website, and more.

Check our DigiFix’s Google Business Profile below,

If you’re not using and improving your Google Business Profile, you’re missing a big chance to make your products and services see where it counts (Yes! on Google!)

Currently, Google is the most widely used and popular search engine. The majority of people rely on Google to discover the products, services, and information they are looking for.

So, that is why having a Google Business Profile and optimizing it is a MUST! It is a must for Local businesses.

You can refer to our blog article or watch the video tutorial below to set up your Google Business Profile.

Here are some tips to optimize your Google Business Profile:

Complete your profile: 

Provide essential information such as business name, address, phone number, website, business hours, and categories. Incomplete Business profiles do not give a good impression to customers.

Use high-quality photos: 

Add high-resolution photos of your business, including the exterior, interior, and any products or services you offer. Images can create a positive first impression.

Collect and respond to reviews: 

Encourage customers to write reviews on your Google Business Profile. Respond promptly to positive and negative reviews to show engagement and dedication to customer satisfaction.

Add services and products: 

Use the services and product features to highlight what your business offers. Include relevant details, pricing, and any special offers.

Enable messaging: 

Allow customers to message you directly through your Google Business Profile. Respond to inquiries to enhance customer communication.

Regularly update information: 

Keep your business information up-to-date, especially if there are changes in your hours of operation, contact details, or services. This helps in providing accurate information to potential customers.

Share posts:

Use the posts feature to share updates, promotions, events, and other relevant content. It can help keep your audience informed and engaged.

Optimize for Keywords:

Include relevant keywords in your business description, services, and posts to improve the chances of appearing in relevant searches.

Add Attributes: 

Google allows you to add specific attributes to your business, such as whether it’s woman-led, veteran-led, offers free Wi-Fi, etc. This provides additional information to users.

By implementing these tips, you can enhance your Google Business Profile, improve your online visibility, and boost your local SEO.

2.Create Local Content.

Local content caters to the preferences of local searchers through text, images, and videos, and you can feature it on your website, local landing pages, your Google Business Profile, and other platforms.

If you run a local business in a specific target area or zip code, all the content on your website should be geared toward the residents.

Let’s be clear – there’s no secret local SEO content formula that will immediately boost local foot traffic to your business.

The distinction between “content” and “local content” lies in the search intent.

When creating content, keep the local user, local entities, and local semantic relationships in mind to build a stronger connection.

Here are four proven tips for writing local SEO content.

Use Schema Markup:

Make your content more understandable to search engines by including schema markup. It helps algorithms learn the connections between different content elements. Apply schema markup to your business and author details to highlight your expertise.

Include Local Phrases:

When creating content, include local phrases that align with your business. It’s not just about using local keywords; understanding the context behind them is essential. 

Write Conversationally:

Given the importance of voice search in local SEO, use a conversational tone in your content. Many people use smart speakers for local business searches, so, conversational content helps you target longer voice search queries on local search results.

Optimize Images for Mobile Search:

Optimize your images for mobile searches, considering the prevalence of mobile usage. Avoid stock images; instead, pick original and engaging visuals that enhance your content and tell a more compelling story.

3.Maximize the benefits of local listings

While Google is a leading player in business listings and reviews, there are other platforms you can consider. 

Don’t overlook creating profiles on sites like Bing, Yelp, Yellow Pages, and various local listings. That expands the chances of your ideal clients finding your business when searching for services like yours. 

You can learn how to add your business to Bing Business listing on our blog article: Bing Places for Businesses. Or watch the simple tutorial below,

Additionally, it builds backlinks on reputable sites, one of the main ranking factors highly valued by search engine algorithms.

Explore the local business listings in your area that residents often use when seeking local services. It might be a dedicated website or a community platform. Investigate and engage with the community to increase the visibility of your business.

4.Prioritize using local keywords.

Research and prioritize local keywords to boost your local SEO strategy. Your success in SEO depends on selecting keywords carefully. Add local keywords that your customers search for. Otherwise, your business will not show up in local search results.

Here are some examples of long-tail local keywords for various businesses:

• Best pizza delivery in Melbourne.
• 24-hour emergency locksmith in Sydney
• Family-friendly restaurants in Tokyo.
• Local organic grocery stores near me.
• Top-rated fitness classes in Melbourne.
• Budget-friendly car rentals near me.

Use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner and Moz’s Keyword Explorer to find these keywords. Or you can use the Auto suggest feature on Google.

Google Suggest is a feature provided by Google Search that offers suggestions as you type in the search bar. These suggestions are based on popular searches and can be an incredible resource for finding relevant keywords, especially for local businesses.

Let’s say you own a coffee shop in Melbourne and want to find local keywords to optimize your online presence. You can start by going to Google and typing “coffee shop” into the search box. When you press the space button, Google will give a list of suggested phrases related to “coffee shops” that people commonly search for.

For example, as you type “coffee shop” and press space, you might see suggestions like “coffee shop Melbourne CBD,” “best coffee shop Melbourne,” or “cozy coffee shop Melbourne.” These are potential keywords that people in your local area are likely to use when searching for a coffee shop.

Once you find the local keywords relevant to your business, improve your rankings by using them throughout your website, including in title tags, meta descriptions, and webpage content.

5.Create different web pages for different products/product categories.

Use different web pages for different products to improve your chances of appearing on search engines like Google. When you have more pages, each can focus on specific keywords that people might use when looking for your products. It’s easier to rank for many keywords this way.

You can focus on using the right keywords for each product, rather than trying to do everything on one page. 

6.Add NAP and make them consistent across all channels.

Simply keeping your Google My Business listing up-to-date isn’t sufficient. 

It’s essential to keep your contact information and location details accurate and consistent across various channels, including your website, social media pages, review platforms, and directory listings. 

This consistency fosters reliability and helps potential customers find and connect with your business easily across different online platforms.

7.Include schema markup into your website.

Schema markup involves adding a code to your HTML, enhancing how your page appears in search results. 

This code helps Google to understand specific elements on your page, sharing the meaning of your content. Adding schema markup can boost your search rankings and enhance click-through rates by providing search engines with clear insights into your webpage’s content.

8.Get involved in smart, natural, and relevant local link-building.

Having a good link profile is essential for doing well in online searches. Some businesses succeed or struggle based on how they get these links.

Building a good link profile takes time, so be careful of anyone promising quick results. Even though it’s a gradual process, it’s still a crucial part of an effective local SEO plan. 

9.Optimize your NAP citations. 

When someone talks about your business on the internet, it’s called a citation.

Make sure your business details are accurate online through NAP citations (Name, Address, Phone number). Correct NAP citations, similar to quality backlinks, bring significant benefits. 

However, if your citations show incorrect details, it can cost you potential customers. Inconsistencies may arise from changing addresses without updating citations, using different addresses online, or using various phone numbers for tracking.

To maintain accurate and consistent citations, conduct a NAP audit. You can use a tool like Moz Local. 

Alternatively, perform manual NAP audits using the below advanced Google search tricks:

– Search for “Business name” + “partial address” -“correct phone number”

– Search for “Correct phone number” + “partial address” -“business name”

– Search for “Business name” + “correct phone number” -“partial address”

– Search for “Business name” + “partial address” +”old/incorrect phone number”

– Search for “Correct phone number” + “correct partial address” + “old business name”

– Search for “Business name” + “correct phone number” + “old/incorrect partial address”

Identify inconsistent citations and reach out to correct them, ensuring your NAP information is up-to-date for better online visibility.

10.Optimize your business for local voice search.

Voice queries tend to be more natural and longer. For example, a typical Google search for a pizzeria might be as simple as typing “pizzeria” and hitting enter. In contrast, a voice search may sound like, “suggest me some of the best pizzeria near me.” 

How to optimize your local business for voice search:

Create readable Content:

Ensure your content is easily readable and scannable. Use simple sentences, short paragraphs, and bold headers to break up your content. It is crucial, especially for mobile users seeking information quickly.

Claim Google Business Profile Listing:

Optimize your local business by claiming your Google Business Profile. We’ve covered this process earlier, including optimizing for Bing Places. Refer to that section for a step-by-step guide.

Focus on Long-Tail Keywords:

Since voice searches tend to use more natural language, target long-tail keywords. Think about how people speak and phrase their questions. Aim for a variety of spoken queries that might lead users to your site.

Create FAQ Page:

Use customer and SEO data to create FAQ pages that focus on these long-tail phrases. Group common questions on the same page and write in a natural, conversational tone.

So make sure to add this best practice to your list of Local SEO best practices.

Elevate your local business with DigiFix’s Local SEO services! 🚀 

Our dedicated team specializes in setting up and optimizing Google Business profiles, ensuring you shine in local searches.

We’ll uncover the most powerful local keywords to drive your business to the forefront of search results, enhancing your visibility and attracting the right audience. 🎯 

Let our creative minds create compelling local content tailored to your business, engaging your community and boosting your online presence.

DigiFix also excels in review management, helping you build a stellar online reputation. 

⭐ Ready to stand out in the local market? Trust DigiFix to boost your local presence and drive success! 🌟

Contact us today for a FREE consultation!