What is Local SEO, and How Can You Use it to Your Advantage?

It is not as difficult as you believe to get your company on top of the search engine ranking. That said, if your online company listings aren’t optimised for local searches, you can be overlooked by locals.

Worse still, they may be the very people who are willing to pay for the goods or services you’re giving. So it’s time to think about local SEO.

You’ve heard of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), a keyword-based approach to improving your search results ranks.

Even if they’re directly down the street from you, it doesn’t guarantee that your company name will appear on the first page when someone puts in a specific product or service they’re looking for.

This is where local SEO comes into the equation. So, what is local SEO, and what are its advantages?

What is Local SEO?

Local SEO is a marketing technique that takes SEO a step further by assisting individuals in locating what they require based on their location.

Consider that many people around the world are currently using their cell phones to do searches on the internet. As a result, many customers on the move may choose a business based only on convenience.

Your company can employ all the appropriate keywords; however, if your accurate local address isn’t found in a search, those keywords will not help customers who want to buy right away.

Local SEO works by including your geographic information in a search engine listing, making it easier for customers to find you depending on their area.

There’s a bit more work to be done to separate the distinctions between organic SEO and local SEO, but knowing the basics is an excellent place to start.

How Does Local SEO Work?

Search engines use various parameters to rank websites.

It also considers the user’s location when executing a search. It accomplishes it automatically, and you don’t have to type in anything additional, such as your location or the terms ‘near me’ or ‘nearby.’

Simply type ‘Mexican delivery’ or ‘physiotherapy appointment,’ and the search engine will provide a list of options in your area.

With the rise of internet users and the ease with which they can just pick up their phone and put in a search, more businesses realise the importance of being visible to these people. This is why local SEO has become increasingly popular since it improves the exposure and growth of local services and goods.

How Can a Business Benefit From It?

So, now that we’ve covered what local SEO is and why it’s vital for small businesses, let’s look at the top 12 benefits of local SEO for businesses like yours.

Boost Web Traffic

If you don’t use local SEO, you may end up competing for a spot on the search engines with firms on the other side of the world that are larger than you.

That means you’ll almost certainly be overlooked until a user in their free time goes to the third page of search results and notices you. However, if you appear more frequently in searches, more people will click on your website to discover what you ‌offer.

Maintain Competitiveness with Nearby Businesses

Another great advantage of local SEO services is that they keep you competitive.

If someone strolling around the neighbourhood conducts a smartphone search for shoe inserts, your firm should ideally appear alongside your rivals. However, you will not be seen in local searches if you do not use local SEO.

So you could miss out on a sale even if you offer a superior product or the same thing at a lower price than your competitors. Customers who purchase on their cell phones also have short attention spans.

So if you don’t hit quickly, you’re unlikely to hit at all.

Establish Business Relationships With Neighbors

Competition is a fact of life in the commercial world. That’s just the way capitalism works.

Another advantage of local SEO is that it may help you develop partnerships with other local firms.

For example, a local firm could want to cross-promote its products and services with another business in the area. Perhaps they’re attempting to plan a marketing effort that will benefit some local company owners. But, again, they can locate you only if you’re listed locally.

Once a company learns about you, you’re more likely to be mentioned in their social media postings or receive referrals from clients seeking things you sell.

Of course, by returning the favour, you may strengthen these sorts of connections.

Attract Potential Repeat Clients

Customers who return are extremely valued. Another of the top local SEO benefits is that it may help you get more repeat consumers.

Some of your clients could include people visiting the region from afar and only require one item from your business while they are there. Once they perform an internet search, local SEO can help get you noticed by these customers.

Local customers‌ are more likely to return and create a long-term business connection once they know you’re there and offer a pleasant experience the first time they interact with your firm, either virtually or in person.

And it may help turn a single transaction into hundreds of sales from a single person.

According to Constant Contact, repeat customers are 52% more likely to convert than new prospects. This implies simpler sales and, most likely, more sales.

Community Building

“Shop local” is popular with marketers and citizens who wish to support local companies. Buying locally‌ contributes to the regional economy.

As you may have guessed, the advantage of local SEO is that it helps keep things local.

If your brand is all about being proud of where you come from, you’ll need to do more than recall clients’ names and purchase things that are popular in your area. It would be beneficial if you let potential customers know ‌you are ‌within walking distance of them.

Who knows, perhaps being in local search results will lead to sponsorship opportunities. For example, sponsoring a local sports team and having your brand name on their shirts can help your business and the team gain popularity.

Gain More Credibility with Higher Rankings

Admit it: you probably only visit the top five or six results when searching for a product or service online. It’s pretty common to think that firms on the third or fourth page of search results are doing something wrong.

The fact is, they might be doing nearly everything correctly except for local SEO. Just by introducing ranking higher, there is a high chance that people would trust you more, even if you don’t modify what you’re presently offering.

Consequently, one of the most important advantages of local SEO is that it helps you rank higher and build trust.

Obtain a Spot in Google’s 3-Pack

Google’s 3-pack indicates that the first three results that best match your search are shown.

According to Report Garden, the Google 3-pack appears at the top of 93% of queries with local intent.

You can see how your company ranks by typing in a keyword related to your business and seeing if it appears in the top three results. This was a departure from the previous 7-pack, and the move was motivated by a desire to fit findings into internet devices more readily.

When consumers perform a local search, they will not only see your name first, but they will also be able to click on your website, locate your contact information, and decide when you are open.

As a result, one of the advantages of local SEO services is that it increases your company’s chances of hitting the top three results.

Increase Local Reviews

Local customers like praising an excellent business (or criticising a bad one) on the internet.

If someone looking for a company discovers that other people in the area enjoy it, they are far more inclined to shop there and suggest it to others.

According to Boast, a consumer feedback business, 78% of buyers trust internet reviews as much as personal recommendations.

When a consumer posts a review of your business on your Google My Business account and you answer, it helps to boost your SEO ranking.

As you may be aware, this implies more business for you.

Lower the Cost of Advertising

When looking for a certain type of company, a large number of internet users use the “near me” option.

Assume you’ve climbed high enough in the rankings owing to local SEO. In that situation, instead of spending money on sponsored social media campaigns or placing advertising in newspapers and mailing out fliers, you might use that money to target locals.

When opposed to paying for advertising to ensure you appear in local search results, having excellent local SEO is more cost-efficient. In addition, it offers a greater return on investment in the long term.

Attract Ready to Buy Clients

While many buyers go online first to investigate products and services in preparation for a future purchase, one of the most significant advantages of local SEO is that many individuals search because they’re ready to buy.

Around 24% of consumers use a search engine while making a financial decision. That shows they’ve already decided what they want, and all you have to do now is show up in a local search to convert the transaction.

Ahrefs discovered that 76% of smartphone internet searches result in a same-day in-person visit to the business.

Furthermore, 28% of those searches result in a purchase.

As a result, you must engage in local SEO if you want to attract clients who are ready to buy.

Get Listed with Local Business Directories

You’ll be more likely to appear in local business directories where consumers can look for services in their region and even post reviews if your local SEO is optimised. Having your company name included in local directories may help you gain a reputation and improve your organic SEO rankings.

Adding your company to directories such as Google Business Profile, for example, is an excellent approach to increase your exposure.

Adapt to Rapid Expansion in Internet Access

As internet access devices provide location services, you can be located by someone who is nearby, even if they don’t reside in the region. In fact, in 2021, mobile access devices alone accounted for over 56.5% of all web traffic.

Additionally, voice search (e.g., using Siri or Alexa) is growing more popular. And most people who utilise voice search do so to conduct product research.

According to Narvar, 51% of voice search users were looking for information about a product.

As you might assume, many voice searches seek nearby companies that sell what they’re looking for.

Focusing on local SEO can also assist voice searchers in locating your business if you’re looking to get found by clients who are investigating their next purchase.

Conclusion

Small companies must focus their efforts on particular and relevant marketing techniques to thrive. Local SEO is a tried-and-true method of putting your small business in the spotlight and attracting all of the right clients.

It’s difficult to ignore the value of local SEO services in raising your company’s visibility and perhaps increasing income.

However, there are various factors to consider when implementing local SEO, and they go beyond just identifying your location. The more citations (places on the internet that reference your business) you have, the more likely you are to be found locally.

If you want to make the most of the local SEO, don’t hesitate to engage a reliable and experienced SEO service provider. It will not only save you time and effort but also guarantee that you get the results you are looking for.