Local search is one of the fastest-growing search algorithms, and for a good reason. It helps users find local businesses that are a good fit for their needs. Users who search for local businesses usually look for something in-person, like a hair salon or hardware store, rather than insurance or real estate services.
To succeed in Google’s local search algorithm, your business needs to be found by users who are looking for a business in that area. To do this, you need to focus on creating high-quality content, so Google can understand your business and, more importantly, trust that you’re providing them with valuable information.
In this article, we will discuss the benefits of local SEO and how it can help you get found by users who are specifically looking for businesses in your area.
1. Expand Online Presence
If your business doesn’t show up in those top 5 Google Search spots or even on the first page, there’s a good probability that people aren’t even aware that you exist.
Yet customers dictate how successful you can be, so you need to start positioning yourself in their world. Utilizing local SEO strategies can increase your likelihood of being discovered by placing you in top organic results.
Numerous local SEO-related initiatives will help you increase your exposure in local search results and your overall online visibility. For instance, citation building, a key component of local SEO, involves increasing the number of directory listings, social media profiles, and online review sites that list your business name, physical address, and phone number.
Do this in as many unique locations as possible, and make it simpler for your company to be discovered by your target audience.
2. More Targeted Visitors
While broad terms like “dentist” or “marketing agency” may attract a lot of searches, they are quite competitive and broad. If you focus on these general terms, you risk receiving unqualified leads and will have difficulty competing with many other firms.
If you provide services to a certain region or have a physical presence there, you should try to draw customers from that region. Any time spent dealing with leads that aren’t likely to make a purchase or schedule a service, is money lost.
Local SEO may assist in weeding out ineffective visitors and eliminating time-wasters that hinder the smooth operation of your business. It makes sure that mainly local searchers can find it.
Considering 59% of search users use Google to research a purchase they intend to make in-store, local SEO lets you concentrate your efforts on the clients who are most likely to convert.
3. Build a Community
Businesses and customers alike have realized how critical it is to support local businesses and foster community. Therefore, by making an effort to join up and interact with other local businesses, you’ll likely notice a great impact on your offline and online business.
Having more trustworthy local backlinks creates opportunities for a more friendly work environment. It also opens the door for collaborations between local businesses. And when businesses work together, they are likely to refer customers to appropriate services.
Through a referral system, customers will likely do business with other businesses recommended by people they trust. So besides being able to win customers through providing great experiences, you will compel your customers to seek your services again, resulting in return customers.
This cycle creates a sense of community which enables businesses to thrive. Being part of such a community will help you grow.
4. Increased Sales
Did you know that in 2019, 1.9 billion people worldwide purchased a product online? E-commerce is growing at a tremendous pace courtesy of the convenience it offers. If you increase your discoverability online through local SEO, customers in your area will visit your business.
An increase in relevant traffic leads to a boost in sales. With local customers prepared to buy, showing up as an authority in your area will increase your chances of being the landing spot for their purchase.
If local searchers aren’t quite ready to seal the deal yet, they will be encouraged by your proximity and optimal availability. Instead of finding businesses that are hours away or require them to purchase online blindly, they can visit you and get to know you as a local.
5. Enhance Trust Levels
Customer reviews play a crucial role in local search rankings and are the foundation of successful local SEO. More reviews will increase your exposure in local search, which will benefit your reputation management approach.
Reviews are also crucial for fostering consumer trust, which is a crucial factor that must be fulfilled before any transaction can be carried out. According to a study by Podium, 93% of online consumers read internet reviews regularly before they make any purchase decisions. Also, 58% are willing to pay more to receive services from companies with good reviews.
In addition, customers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. So, if you implement local SEO well, you can increase your site’s visibility and become a highly regarded expert in your niche. You’ll enjoy long-lasting business profitability and growth with high trust levels on your side.
Wrapping up
There is no reason not to pursue local SEO if your company has a physical location. Local SEO is simple, inexpensive, and may significantly increase your company’s value. With the advantages mentioned above, local SEO may help you make your company the greatest in its field.