As the world of business moves forward, website and local search trends are constantly evolving. As we look ahead to 2023, it’s essential to stay on top of these new and creative ways to reach local customers. So let’s dive into what you need to know about optimizing for local search in 2023!
Local SEO Tips
How to improve your local search ranking in 2023
Many small businesses want to rank higher online but aren’t sure how to show up on Google or Bing. This can be a problem because if your business isn’t found online, you’re missing out on a lot of potential customers.
Local SEO (search engine optimization) can help you get your locally owned business ranked on the top of the first page for relevant keywords that are important for your industry. If you own a local business, you need to make sure your website and online listings are optimized for local search in order to attract business.
Website optimization and local SEO can seem daunting and time-consuming. Following are three of the most important strategies that will enable you to enhance your online presence.
Rank on Google Maps
Claim and Optimize your Google Business Profile
As of May 2022, Google dominated the search engine market, with a 92.48% market share in the USA. Clearly, it is important for your business to perform well in Google’s local search results. Claiming your business on My Google Business is the first step to improving your local SEO.
Like its other services, Google Business Profile is easy to set up and manage. Take your time and provide correct details and information, including the following:
- Business name and logo
- Correct business categories
- Contact information
- Location or areas served
- Hours of operation
Continue to keep your Google Business page updated by posting regular articles and updating your hours and closing dates as needed.
Ask for Online Reviews
Online reviews are a major component of your business, and they can have a huge impact on the success of your company. There are many ways to get online reviews, but most importantly, you need to be able to manage them effectively.
Many companies don’t realize how important it is to collect reviews online. It’s not enough to have a website, you need to be everywhere, and that means having an online presence with reviews on sites like Google, Facebook, and Yelp.
Positive or negative, you must always respond to reviews in a professional and friendly manner. Prospective customers can make a buying decision based solely on a positive review. But if you’ve resolved an issue, it indicates to prospective customers that your business is willing to go above and beyond to rectify any potential issues.
As important as reviews are, how your business responds to those reviews is just as important. Building an ongoing relationship with your clients should be an absolute priority. Negative word-of-mouth can cripple any up-and-coming business. If a customer has a legitimate complaint, you need to try to rectify it.
Ask for Photos in Positive Reviews
Sterling Sky recently tested the effects of photos in reviews. Adding a photo to a Google review has a massive impact on how long the review stays at the top of the list. Editing an older review to add a photo can move the older review up on the list.
- Customers should be encouraged to add photos to their reviews to keep the review at the top of the listing for more days.
- If there is a negative review, old customers who left positive reviews in the past can be asked to add a photo to their review. This will push the negative review down or even out of the top.
Increase the quality of content on your website.
Optimize Your Website For Search
To avoid missing out on prospective customers, you need to pay attention to the overall quality of content, as well as the design and layout of your website. The following should be considered when optimizing your website:
- Your website should be easy to read and navigate.
- Ensure your website displays correctly on desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices.
- Include separate pages for each of the cities you serve and each of your main services
- It should be easy to contact your business via your website and all relevant business information should be available.
- Create well-researched, SEO-optimized website content. Or hire an SEO content writing service
- Use relevant keywords on your website that your target audience might be searching for. There are several SEO tools that can help you find good target keywords.
Increase Links to Your Website
Local search rankings are heavily reliant on local links. Therefore, it is important that you reach out to local businesses and organizations that are likely to link back to your website. For instance, your vendors, the Chamber of Commerce, and local events or teams that you support should all be approached for a potential link.
Final Thoughts
The internet has fundamentally changed the way people do business. It’s now possible to connect with customers all over the world, regardless of where you are located. Numerous factors can improve your business’s online presence and position in search engines like Google and Bing.
In the past few years, the importance and stature of local SEO have grown to such a point that it can really benefit a small business. You should continue posting relevant and timely content to your business website and social media outlets.
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We used Bright Local’s Local Search Rank Checker to track local rankings. Use the following link to sign up today for a 14-day free trial to Bright Local.
