Local search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for businesses looking to drive local traffic, connects with nearby customers, and stand out from competitors in their geographic area. With more and more searches having local intent – meaning the searcher wants to find a product or service near them – optimizing for local SEO delivers tremendous value.
Here are 5 compelling reasons your business should prioritize local SEO:
1. Increase Visibility for Local Searches
Over half of all Google searches have local intent. People increasingly search for things like “pizza places nearby” or “plumbers in Chicago” rather than generic searches. Ranking for these local searches is critical for visibility.
Optimizing your website and Google My Business listing for local SEO will help you rank higher in the map pack and local search results. This makes you more discoverable by nearby customers looking for exactly what you offer.
Key optimizations include:
- Optimizing your Google My Business listing with complete info and photos
- Incorporating your business name, address and phone number in website copy
- Adding a local schema markup
- Building local backlinks with proper geographic tags
The higher your local search presence, the more likely you are to be found and chosen by nearby customers.
2. Connect with Mobile Searches
An estimated 65% of searches now happen on mobile devices. For on-the-go users searching for products or services nearby, local SEO enables you to connect with these mobile searches and surface at the precise time of need.
Your website needs to be mobile-friendly, with streamlined design and fast load speeds that allow easy access via phones and tablets. Your Google My Business profile also needs to showcase up-to-date information, locations, and contact info that mobile searchers see in the map pack.
Optimizing for local mobile searches positions you to engage nearby customers right when they need you.
3. Build Brand Awareness Locally
Ranking higher for local SEO boosts brand visibility within your geographic area. As nearby customers repeatedly see and engage with your brand when searching for local products or services, your brand awareness and recognition will grow.
This brand building makes customers more likely to think of and choose you first when needing something in your area of specialty. They feel more familiar with and connected to brands that surface prominently in local searches.
Strong local SEO establishes your brand as a recognized leader and industry authority in the local market.
4. Reinforce Multichannel Marketing
Local SEO efforts complement your other local marketing like print ads, radio spots, local sponsorships, flyers, billboards and more.
When people see your brand around town via other channels then search for related products/services and find you prominently ranked for local SEO, this reinforces your marketing and makes them more likely to convert.
Your entire local marketing plan is strengthened when local SEO visibility aligns with and enhances your broader efforts.
5. Gain a Competitive Advantage
Ranking high in local SEO allows you to stand out from competitors in the same geographic area targeting the same customer demographics. Local customers have many options, so your SEO visibility offers a competitive edge.
When prospects search for local products or services you provide, you want to appear prominently in the map pack and search results ahead of competitors. This positions you as the authoritative local choice.
Owning the first page for key local SEO terms distinguishes your brand, drives more traffic and conversions, and ultimately provides a higher ROI than competing brands.
You effectively corner the local market for those niche keywords and searches.
Focus on Local SEO for Local Success
For businesses relying on local customers, local SEO is a must. You want customers to quickly and easily find and choose you when searching for offerings in your niche and geographic region.
Optimizing your web presence, Google My Business profile, mobile compatibility, keywords, and backlink profile gives you an advantage with location-based searches.
Paired with your other local marketing, strong local SEO leads to more brand awareness, engagement and conversions with nearby customers. Prominent visibility and search rankings translate directly into bottom line revenue.
By focusing on local SEO and becoming a prominent search presence in your region, your business can attract more local customers and grow profits. The localized approach delivers results for service area businesses.