How to Do Local SEO For Small Business?

Ever wonder how to place your business at the top of Google search results? So, know you can do this by learning how to do local SEO!

Local SEO is a set of practices to highlight companies in local searches. So, this is a great opportunity to make your business stand out and gain new customers without having to invest in paid ads.

So if you want to learn how to use this strategy to boost your sales, read on! On today's blog, we'll reveal the secrets of how to do local SEO and dominate Google in your region!

Why is local SEO important?

It's true that we look up all sorts of information on Google. But did you know that 46% of all searches done on this site look for specifically local information?

There are millions of users who are already willing to find a company that offers a certain product or service — and consume it within 24 hours! And this company has a good chance of being yours if you know how to do local SEO.

Thus, this strategy is essential for businesses that are linked to physical establishments and operate at a regional level. As well as restaurants, stores, offices and pet shops, for example.

In addition, local SEO can also increase your business' reputation in the region. This is because the use of this strategy helps to position the company among its direct competitors. Which increases the visibility — and authority — of your brand.

Thus, we can confidently say that knowing how to do local SEO is a great differentiator for your company. Especially considering that local searches represent the closest step to conversion in the consumer journey.

This means that this strategy can bring not only more traffic and leads, but also results that will directly impact your sales. And all this without investing a single dollar, since local SEO is an organic strategy.

7 practical tips on how to do local SEO for your business!

Now that the importance of learning how to do local SEO is clear, the question that remains is: but, after all, where to start?

If you ever got desperate just thinking about having to learn everything about the subject to start putting this technique into practice — calm down!

After all, we know how difficult it can be to find time to learn digital marketing while managing a business.

That's why we've prepared 7 basic tips on how to do local SEO to get started today. So, pen and paper in hand and find out how to get your business on Google.

First of all, show you're local

The first step in how to do local SEO is simply to show that you are local. It sounds obvious, it's true. But believe me: many companies do not explore this as they should and end up missing out on great opportunities.

In this sense, there is essential information that is known as NAP: name, address and phone. Name, address and phone number. It is essential that this data is clear on your website.

To do local SEO, invest in a local area code phone number as soon as possible and update your company's Google My Business account.

Tip: if you have no idea what Google My Business is, calm down! We'll talk about it in the next topic.

In addition, you can also bet on creativity and confidence in your service to stand out in local searches. To do this, just incorporate the name of your city or region in your slogan.

Then adopt this slogan on your website pages and categories. These simple actions will help search engines understand that your business has regional relevance. And this is one of the great local SEO strategies.

Update your company's business accounts in Google My Business

Google Webmaster is a tool provided by Google itself to assist in ranking for local searches. Thus, it is mainly essential to position yourself well in the Local Pack.

Here's how it works: when you search for a regional service, Google presents you with a table with three results that match your search.

In this box you will have access to basic NAP information, the classification of the establishment, opening hours and general information about the service.

Generally, the Local Pack responds immediately to the user's query. Therefore, the establishments listed there receive the vast majority of people who were looking for that service.

So, one thing we can guarantee: these companies definitely bet on how to do local SEO. If you want to compete at the height, you will need to do the same. And for that, it is essential to register with Google My Business.

Then, go to the main page of this tool, register your company and provide as much information as possible in addition to the NAP. As well as parking conditions, accessibility and even photos and videos of the location.

Remember that each piece of data is critical for local SEO. And not only that: they are also decisive for consumer decision-making. Therefore, keep this information always up to date.

Target your business to local keywords

As with Instagram SEO, a big part of the success of doing local SEO is simply knowing how to choose the right keywords.

This is because they are the way users search to reach your business. Thus, they are the connecting bridge between you and your potential customers.

The good news is that you don't have to be a master of guessing to find out what these terms are. There are some tips and tools that can help you select the best keywords for your business.

First, use Google! It's simple, just type your business' niche in the search bar and the search engine will give you some suggestions for related terms that are being searched.

So you can find different related keywords and even geographic variations like “pet shop near me” or “local pet shop”.

In addition, you can also use some tools to do this research. Like the Keyword Tool to get keyword ideas or Google Analytics to know which words lead the user to your site the most.

After that, it's important to optimize your content with these terms. That way, you can appear more prominently in local searches that are most relevant to your business.

Partner with other local brands

That the Internet is made up of connections, we all already know. But, did you know that this network of contacts is also one of the strengths of how to do local SEO?

This is because, in Google's eyes, online authority is related to how many quality and trustworthy sites link to your content. This technique is called back link and is one of the main ranking factors in search engines.

As our strategy here is focused on regional results, it is important that you look for back link opportunities within your area of ​​expertise.

It works like this: when the website of a business that is a reference in your region places a link to your website, Google understands that if a company that is trustworthy spoke about you, you are also a trustworthy company.

So, this is one of the most important practices of how to do local SEO. After all, it's based on building one factor that will impact everyone else: your brand's authority.

At first it might seem complicated. But, it might be easier than it sounds. So, check out some strategies to win referrals from sites in your region:

First, get involved in the community: by sponsoring events and institutions, for example, they can generate content with an advertisement for your company;

Partner with local newspapers: in general, portals need stories. So, invite them to new product launches and launches;

Write a blog about your niche: create valuable content, insert some links to your website and offer to other portals in the region to publish this material.

Encourage your customers to rate your business

Another point that directly impacts on building your brand's authority is online reviews. Therefore, they are also strategic to know how to do local SEO.

This is because if back links show the trust that other companies place in your business, they are the way for consumers to share what they think about your brand.

That way, the reviews your business receives on Google My Business and other review sites count — a lot — toward your ranking in local search engines.

In addition, they are also fundamental for potential customers' purchasing decision. After all, who has never searched for reviews from other users before consuming a product or service?

So it's important not just to encourage your customers to interact with your brand. But, also respond to reviews and show that you care about this feedback.

Keep in mind that praise deserves your gratitude and recognition. While criticism requires greater care to assess what happened and solve the problem as soon as possible.

Optimize your website for voice search

Voice search may even have started out as a small concept. But, for some time now, this trend has conquered users and showed that it came to impact search engines.

In addition to being a trend, the fact is that most voice searches are related to regional searches. Mainly with the use of the term “near me” to find places nearby.

Thus, it is also an essential strategy of how to do local SEO. Which makes it critical to optimize your website to match the way people speak when asking questions to devices.

In this scenario, it is also important to consider the user's intent in these surveys. Generally, those who use this resource look for specific information presented quickly.

Therefore, your company's NAP information needs to be clearly available and easily accessible to search engines.

Strategically use the “about” page of your website

You don't — and shouldn't — waste your “About Us” page repurposed content for other pages. It is important to use it strategically to have good results in how to do local SEO.

Use this space to provide relevant data for your audience and that will help position you as a local business reference.

To do that, here are some ideas for information you can offer to use this page as an ally in your local SEO strategy:

NAP: name, address and telephone number;

Opening hours;

Availability of parking;

Location attached to Google Maps;

Detailed description of the product or service;

Customer testimonials;

Company history;

Mission, vision and local values.

Local SEO is more important than ever

More than ever, Google is putting all of its resources into delivering ready-made responses on the results page and responding to user search immediately — as with Local Pack.

Therefore, using seo services to optimize your website for this new moment is no longer a simple choice. It is a necessity for those who are committed to the success of their business.

Although it seems like this is a fight against the searcher, remember that you and the searcher have the same goal: to deliver the best answer to the user's need. And your company has everything to be this answer if you know how to do local SEO.

But, know that you are not alone on this journey! Talk now to the marketing consultant of Agêncy and find out how we can help put your brand at the top of Google's local results!