search engine optimization

Top Local SEO Ranking Factors

Are you planning to start a new business soon? Well, you are not alone. This is a good reason you should be concerned about local search engine optimization. It does not matter whether you are a plumber, a dog groomer, or HVAC repairman, the local businesses is a competitive space. This is because people are looking for businesses online more than ever before. It is estimated that over 70% of people who search a local business online end up visiting that business or a similar one. Therefore, the organic traffic you get from search engines is bound to convert.

What is Local SEO?

digital marketingLocal SEO can be defined as a strategy of optimizing web pages and promotional strategies to increase the organic search traffic to the local businesses. As you know, search engine optimization helps businesses from all over the world to find your business online. Your potential customers can see your company on SERPs. The good thing about SEO is that it puts your business in front of potential customers in this area. These are people who are willing and ready to buy your service or product. The following are proven ways to improve your local SEO.

Get On Google My Business

You need to create a listing on Google My Business Page. This is a snapshot that lists your business that appears when a person searches for your business on Google. Also, it will show your business on the local map, plus the hours, customer reviews, and pictures that you have uploaded. To make good use of this page, you should include many details as possible and include the keywords in the business’s description.

Customer Reviews

online marketingIf you have few customer reviews, then you are bound to fall in the rankings. However, this does not mean you should get thousands of reviews per week to rank higher. If your users are not active, it may signal to search engines that your businesses might not be existing at all. It is a good idea to ensure your reviews are consistent across the site, social media channels, and directory listings. Over time, Google will include such reviews in the rankings.

Use Schema

Structured data is a great way of tagging certain types of content on the site to offer Google more detail to increase visibility and conversion. Moreover, it increases your chances of getting rich snippets. The truth is that structured data has been found to enhance the search experience and it is vital for SEO in general.