Local SEO Marketing and Why Your Business Needs it in 2018

The internet and smartphone are the two main factors that have revolutionized how people do their shopping. Amazingly, despite the increased adoption of online shopping, people still feel comfortable when purchasing goods and services from their local shops.

This doesn’t mean these people don’t trust the virtual world. As much as they do, local shopping will continue to be most preferred to many of them.

• Consider someone looking for a plumber urgently. Or probably, a visitor in your town, looking for a place to eat!
• If you are a plumber, this person needs to find you online when they search using Google maps. If a restaurateur, you will land a new client if you have listed your business.

What does this mean for businesses?

Local SEO marketing is what arises if you take this line of thinking. It is important for local service providers including locksmiths, carpenters, plumbers, restaurateurs, and others to think about Local SEO.

Remember that Organic SEO is different from Local SEO marketing. The organic SEO tricks are different from the local SEO marketing tips. Click here to read about Organic SEO. In this article, I take you through what Local SEO is, and we will also cover why it matters to your business in 2018. Continue reading to find out.

What is Local SEO?

Local SEO is an effective method that local businesses use to promote their goods and services to the local audience. Therefore, the main difference between Local SEO and Organic SEO is the intent. Search Engines like Google will display results that show local service providers as top results. This is based on the assumption that the person searching is looking for local service providers. Therefore, the Search Engine gives priority to the geographical area results.

Example:

If you search using the term “Best plumbers near me”, the search results will include those plumbers who have applied Local SEO tips while listing their business.  However, if you search using the term “Best Plumbers” Google will not localize the results. Instead, results will include relevant and reliable web pages regardless of the location.

Now, you understand the difference between Organic SEO and Local SEO. So why does Local SEO matter for your business?

Reasons Why Local SEO is Important for Your Business

Here are the reasons why your business still needs Local SEO marketing tricks.

Statistics Show that Local Customers Have Turned to Search the Internet

Don’t be fooled to think that since you already do have Organic SEO well implemented you don’t need Local SEO! Actually, as consumers continue to discover possibilities using modern technology, they have found out that they don’t need to ask around for the best service providers. Instead, they will search online for local service providers. Statistics show that:

• 46% of the total searches conducted on Google are local
• 50% of the searches conducted from a mobile device are looking for information about a business
• 78% of local mobile searches convert into buying customers.

Local SEO Marketing is Highly Targeted

Local search aims at finding a certain business offering the services that the searcher is looking for. In addition, a good percent of those people use a specific business name. However, there are those still who don’t know about a particular business.

By using the local SEO tactics, you are creating better chances to have your business found online. You are basically promoting your products and services to these people who are already searching. When they search for the business or the products, they will definitely see your business. This is the best approach to drive the foot traffic to your business.

Local SEO Marketing offers Higher Conversion Ratio compared to other Advertising Channels

If you conduct a search on Google, you will discover that the local online directories dominate the first page of the local search results. Therefore being one of the important strategies in Local SEO, local directory increases the conversion rate by over 50% compared to other advertising methods.

Local Customers Trust Online Business Reviews

In local businesses, word of mouth is a critical factor. Online reviews will also support the word of mouth. Therefore if the same words potential customers are hearing from their friends also reflect in online reviews, then you have higher chances of converting these prospects. Ask your trusted customers to write positive reviews about the services they receive. These will boost your Local SEO marketing tactics.

Higher Return on Investment

Local SEO marketing offers you a higher return compared to other forms of digital advertising. Consider that most of the strategies don’t need to be paid for. Further, there is very little wastage of money when using the Local SEO tactics. These factors make this approach efficient and cost-effective.

Now that you already know the advantages of having Local SEO for your business, it is also important to have an idea of the approaches to use. Here are some of the top tactics when it comes to local SEO.

NAP Syndications

Ensure that the location, business name, the address, and the contact number are the same on your social media profiles, your website, and the different listings.

Consider Listing on Local Directories

There are various listings available for your business. These include Google My Business, Yelp, Yellow Pages, Foursquare and several others. Try to claim and verify your business on all these listing options.

Localized Onsite Content

Try as much as possible to have content that is localized for your business come up with videos and other content with your local area mentioned in your headline. For instance, if you offer Spa Services in Virginia, you might have a blog titled “where to get the best massage in Virginia”. Read more about content marketing here.

These are the most basic facts we thought you need to be reminded of when it comes to SEO marketing. For help with Local SEO implementation, contact us today!