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Getting onto the first page of Google is a serious asset for any local business. But when it comes to local SEO tips, there are certain things that matter a little, and certain things that can be total game-changers.
Most of SEO, or search engine optimization, is about making Google and other search engines like or believe in your website. A search engine’s job is to put relevant, helpful material in front of its users.
Your job is to be relevant and helpful. The more value your site provides, the better off you’ll be.
In this article, we’ll go over three of the best local SEO strategies you can implement today.
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1. Stand Out on Google My Business
People like to pretend this isn’t the case, but the reality is that both local SEO and global SEO are about playing Google’s game.
Google is, by far, the largest and most dominant search engine. Some studies show it enables 93 percent or more of the Internet to find what they’re looking for. Basically, the sooner you start playing Google’s game, the better.
Enter Google My Business. This service is new(ish), but it is pivotal for ranking on search engines. When you set up a Google My Business account, your business will not only be more easily discoverable in search engines but also more accessible on Google Maps and other platforms.
Basically, it’s a free SEO tool that you can use to help market and grow your business, handed down from the people that matter most. Especially if you’re wondering how to improve your local SEO, this should be your first step.
2. Build up Your Backlinks
If you aren’t familiar with the term backlinks, this should be high on your priority list. On the Internet, backlinks are like social proofing for your website or business. In other words, Google sees that other people are mentioning your site, so they feel more confident about your authority in the space.
Basically, a backlink means that someone else put a link to your website or a particular blog post. The total number of backlinks you have to your website is a major factor Google and other search engines take into account when ranking your website.
Suffice it to say, you wouldn’t (or you would be less likely to) buy a product from someone you don’t know. However, if someone else vouched for them, you’d be far more likely. It works the same way on the Internet.
Backlinks are helpful for your SEO overall, but if you’re want to have more local traffic, backlinks will be enormously helpful for your local SEO. In fact, some companies offer backlinking as one of several SEO services.
3. Get Customer Reviews
In terms of local SEO for neighborhood businesses, having five-star ratings on Google, Yelp, and other platforms is the final pillar upon which all your strategies should be built. Again, this comes back to people being able to trust you for the service or product you’re offering.
Not only should you be actively monitoring these sites, but you should also be in the habit of asking clients to fill out customer reviews on these platforms. Find ways to incentivize your customers. That way it’s good for all parties.
Local SEO Tips: Wrapping Up
Search engine optimization for local businesses is a total wormhole. You can go down it for hours and find thousands of things you “should” be doing with your website or online business for your local SEO.
But when it comes to local SEO tips, the three biggest things that matter all come back to authority, social proofing, and search engines feeling comfortable putting you out there.
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