Blogs

How Local SEO Boosts Your Online Visibility and Attracts Customers

If you’re looking for ways to stand out from the competition and attract more customers, local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a must. This game-changing strategy uses various techniques to improve your search engine rankings — increasing your chances of being discovered by potential customers searching for local products or services.  

You don’t have to be a technical wizard to use SEO. These six simple steps will help your business harness the power of local SEO:

1. Claim Your Google Business Profile 

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is a free listing in Google’s business directory that helps you manage how your business appears in search results. Claiming and thoroughly completing your GBP listing adds your business to Google Maps and is crucial for local SEO. 

2. Add Local Keywords Throughout Your Website 

Identify local keywords that your target audience might use when searching for businesses like yours, and add these keywords naturally throughout your website’s content. For example, if you run a bakery in Atlanta, include phrases like “Atlanta bakery” or “fresh pastries in Atlanta.”

3. Don’t Skip on Voice Search

Voice search is an increasingly popular method consumers use to find services. Recent statistics report that 58% of consumers using voice search use it to find local businesses. To boost your chances of being found through voice search, include conversational language and phrases in your website’s content that matches how people speak when voice searching. 

4. Be Consistent With Your Contact Information

Your business contact details are referred to as NAPW: Name, Address, Phone Number, and Website. This information must be the same across all channels and listings — from the BBB to Yelp to Facebook to Yellow Pages.

5. Optimize Your Facebook Business Page

A Facebook business page is free and will help get more eyes on your brand. Ensure you’ve filled out your business information with your NAPW, photos, and posts. 

6. Encourage Customer Reviews

Reviews directly impact how your business displays in search results. Encourage customer feedback by including links to popular review platforms like Yelp and Google on your website and social media channels. 

The Business Community Network (BCN) helps local small and medium-sized businesses through networking and knowledge sharing. Contact us to learn more about how we can help your business thrive.