How to Create a Basic Local SEO Strategy Like An Expert
Things to Consider When Creating an SEO Strategy for Your Local Business
Creating a basic local SEO strategy involves optimising your website for mobile devices, implementing technical SEO best practices, and considering the different types of enquiries your potential customers may have. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key steps involved in creating an effective local SEO strategy that encompasses these important aspects. The SEO team at CTO Digital have been writing SEO strategies for local businesses for many years, we feel we can give UK business owners a great insight in to our local SEO knowledge.
Research Local Keywords:
Start by conducting thorough keyword research specific to your local area, taking into account different types of enquiries potential customers may make. Identifying and targeting the right keywords is essential for optimising your content and improving your visibility in local search results. Look for relevant local keywords with a high search volume and consider the intent behind different types of queries (informational, navigational, and transactional). Don’t worry if the search volume for your target keyword is small or even showing as nothing, the more specific the search is, the more likely it is to turn into an enquiry to your business.
Optimise Your Website for Mobile Usability:
With mobile devices becoming the primary means of accessing the internet, optimising your website for mobile usability is critical. Ensure your site is responsive, meaning it adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes and resolutions. Test your website’s mobile performance using tools like Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test and PageSpeed Insights. Prioritise fast-loading pages, mobile-friendly design, and intuitive navigation to deliver an exceptional user experience on mobile devices.
Implement Technical SEO Best Practices:
Technical SEO focuses on optimising the technical aspects of your website to improve its visibility and performance in search engines. Pay attention to factors such as site speed, crawlability, XML sitemaps, structured data markup, and canonical tags. Optimise your URLs, meta tags, and header tags with local keywords to enhance search engine crawling and indexing. Regularly monitor and fix any technical issues that may hinder your website’s performance. Using Google Search Console for finding technical issues is useful. CTO Digital also suggest using other SEO tools to run technical reports on your website, Semrush and SERanking have tools to do this. Most SEO software based websites will provide this service for you.
Claim and Optimise Your Google My Business Listing:
Google My Business (GMB) is a powerful tool for local businesses to manage their online presence. Claim and verify your GMB listing, providing accurate and detailed information about your business. Optimise your GMB profile by adding high-quality images, a compelling business description, relevant categories, and your NAP details (name, address, phone number) to improve local search rankings. Encourage customers to leave reviews on your GMB profile, as positive reviews can boost your visibility and credibility. Posting on Google My Business regularly about your business information, updates, changes and promotions can only help your business get more online exposure.
Build Local Citations:
Building local citations refers to mentioning your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) on other websites, directories, and platforms. Consistency is crucial here. Ensure your NAP information is accurate and consistent across all platforms to establish trust with search engines. Submit your business to relevant local directories, industry-specific websites, and social media profiles. Consider guest posting on local blogs or contributing to local publications to increase your brand’s exposure.
Generate and Manage Online Reviews:
Online reviews are not only important for reputation management but also for local SEO. Positive reviews have a significant impact on local search rankings and influence potential customers’ decisions. Encourage your satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and industry-specific review sites. Respond to reviews promptly and professionally, addressing any concerns or negative feedback. Engage with your customers and show that you value their feedback. Asking clients to leave reviews about the type of service they have received from your business can be greatly beneficial. If search engines often see that your business gets reviewed about your ‘emergency locksmith service’, then the search engine is surely more likely to understand that you are good at that service, therefore potentially displaying you in the results in a more prominent position for that service that you have been reviewed for.
Consider Different Types of Enquiries:
Understand the different types of enquiries potential customers may have when searching for local businesses. Consider the various stages of the customer journey, from awareness to purchase. Provide informative and engaging content that addresses their queries and provides solutions to their problems. Create FAQ pages, blog posts, and educational videos that cater to different types of enquiries and target local keywords. This approach not only improves your SEO but also establishes you as an authority in your local market. Enquiries that a locksmith may want will differ in the enquiries that an estate agent would want. Locksmiths may just want a number to call and an address to visit, estate agents may want to know names, addresses, proof of income, property status etc. All businesses require different levels of information from an incoming enquiry.
Local Link Building:
Link building is an essential aspect of any SEO strategy, and it holds true for local SEO as well. Focus on earning quality backlinks from local websites, organisations, and influencers. Partner with local businesses, sponsor community events, or participate in industry-related activities to gain exposure and secure backlinks. Reach out to local bloggers or journalists to provide insights or contribute guest posts. Quality backlinks from authoritative local sources can significantly enhance your search rankings.
The importance of monitoring and tracking results:
Regularly monitor and analyse your local SEO efforts using tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms. Pay attention to key metrics such as website traffic, keyword rankings, click-through rates, and conversion rates. Gain insights into user behaviour, demographics, and the effectiveness of your local SEO tactics. Use the data to refine and optimise your strategy continually. Using Google Search Console and Google Analytics are a must for any SEO campaign to be successful.
How can strategising help your business?
By incorporating mobile usability, technical SEO best practices, and considering different types of enquiries into your local SEO strategy, you can enhance your online visibility, attract more local customers, and drive business growth. Implement these steps consistently, stay up-to-date with evolving SEO trends, and adapt your strategy as needed to stay competitive in the local market. Remember, local SEO is an ongoing process, so continuously monitor your results and make necessary adjustments to improve your local search rankings and achieve sustainable success. If this blog has covered topics that you do not understand or you simply don’t have the time for while running your business, please reach out, that it what CTO Digital are here for.
