Local SEO helps your business show up when nearby customers search for the products or services you offer. Most web users pick a business that is close by because they want something now, not after a long drive. Here are the tips from the post, tightened up so each step is clear.
Keep your NAP the same everywhere
Your NAP is your business name, address, phone number, and email. Use the exact same NAP on your website, in your blog, and on every social media account. A consistent NAP helps you rank higher in local SERPs, so keep it simple, keep it consistent, and add your location on your website, blog, and social media pages.
Check your listings on popular directories
Inaccurate information on popular directories makes it harder for consumers to find your business. Walk through your listings and confirm every detail is accurate and up to date, or consumers will not be able to find you in search results.
Track what is working
A successful local SEO strategy depends on monitoring and analyzing data to improve performance. Use Google Analytics to track how your site is doing and how it affects your business’s visibility. Behavioral signals, click-through rate, social network participation, website design, and reputation management all feed into your local SEO results.
Add structured data mark-up
Structured data mark-up is an SEO technique that relays important business information on Google SERPs. If you are not sure whether you are using it, run your page through the Google Structured Data Testing Tool to analyze your HTML code. Missing structured data can be a red flag for Google and cause you to get passed up. An API called CKAN lets you embed the required information in your website.
Use social media, email, and links to support local SEO
Your website and social media pages help you get found by attracting local customers. A local SEO campaign is useful for small businesses and can neutralize the advantage of bigger brands that target broad, generic keywords. Local SEO is low-hanging fruit with fewer competitors and a realistic shot at the top of the SERPs.
Claim and use Google My Business
Google My Business is a free tool that lets your customers manage their listings. You can respond to customer reviews and create customized, local content that matches what your target customers need. Local content relevant to your customers helps you neutralize the advantage of bigger brands that optimize for broader keywords, and it raises your chances of ranking high in local searches.
Make your site mobile-friendly
Google has begun using mobile-first indexing, so your site needs to respond to the needs of local customers on a phone. A mobile-friendly site lifts your local rankings: when people type in your location, they enter it into their search engine and pick it as their preferred destination. Doing this raises brand recognition and sales.
FAQ
What is NAP and why does it matter for local SEO?
NAP stands for your business name, address, phone number, and email. Using the same NAP across your website, blog, and social media accounts signals consistency to search engines and helps you rank higher in local SERPs.
How does Google My Business help with local SEO?
Google My Business is a free tool that lets your customers manage their listings. You can respond to customer reviews and publish customized, local content aimed at the customers you want to reach, which raises your chances of ranking high in local searches.
Why is a mobile-friendly site important for local SEO?
Google has begun using mobile-first indexing, so a site that responds well on phones is favored in rankings. When users search from a phone they often include their location, and a mobile-friendly site makes it easier for them to choose your business as their preferred destination.
Related coverage
- Local SEO Boosts Search Engine Rankings and Drives Traffic to Your Site
- Local SEO – How to Improve Your Rankings in the Search Engines