Looking to rank high in local search results and drive more customers to your business?
Local SEO services are some of the most effective ways to promote your business when you have a specific area that you target your clients.
If you aren’t showing up in local search results, you’re missing out on customers that are looking for your business right now.
Here’s something that might interest you…
According to research, 46% of Google searches have local intent. Which means, nearly half of all Google users are searching for something near them.
Why Local SEO Services Are More Important Than Ever
Local SEO is a very different process from normal SEO. You are no longer competing with websites from all over the country (or the world). You’re only competing with businesses in your local area.
This means local SEO is easier if done correctly.
Think about how people search for local businesses. They grab their phone, open up their search engine, type in what they’re looking for, and expect to see a list of local results in seconds.
And here’s the kicker – 78% of mobile local searches result in an offline purchase.
That is huge!
If you invest in comprehensive local SEO services, you can:
- Drive more foot traffic to your brick-and-mortar location
- Increase phone calls from potential customers
- Establish trust and authority in your local market
- Outrank local competition that’s not optimizing
And the best part about local SEO? It’s one of the most affordable marketing channels you can invest in. You’re only targeting those that are already searching for what you offer near them.
Top Local Ranking Factors You Need To Prioritize
Google has hundreds of factors that go into deciding which businesses appear in local search results. But not all ranking factors are created equal.
Here are the most important ones that you should focus on:
1. Google Business Profile
This is the foundation of local SEO. Your Google Business Profile (previously known as Google My Business) is what appears in the local three-pack. These are the three business listings that show up at the top of search results (before the organic results).
In order to optimize your profile, you need to:
- Fill out every section with accurate information
- Select the correct business categories
- Upload high-quality photos frequently
- Respond to all reviews (positive or negative)
- Post regular updates
Don’t miss any of these steps. Leaving your Google Business Profile incomplete will send a signal to Google that you’re not serious about your business.
2. Online Reviews & Ratings
Reviews are some of the biggest trust signals for Google and prospective customers. Businesses with more positive reviews rank higher in local search results.
Guess what?
The majority of businesses have no review strategy in place. They just hope that customers will leave them by themselves. This is a big mistake.
You should be actively soliciting reviews from happy customers on Google. Make it easy by sending them a direct link to your review page.
And here’s something most people don’t know… Responding to reviews (even the negative ones) will send signals to Google that you’re engaged with your customers.
3. NAP Consistency
NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone number. Google crawls the entire internet looking for these details to confirm your business information.
If your NAP is inconsistent across different sites… Google gets confused. It results in a drop in rankings.
You need to ensure that your business information is exact across all platforms where it appears:
- Your website
- Google Business Profile
- Social media profiles
- Online directories
- Review sites
Tiny differences (like “St.” vs “Street”) will confuse Google.
4. Local Citations
Citations are mentions of your business on other websites. This includes online directories, review sites, industry-specific websites, and local business associations.
The more high-quality citations you have, the more likely Google is to trust that your business is legit.
Focus on building citations in:
- Major directories such as Yelp and Yellow Pages
- Industry specific directories
- Local chamber of commerce sites
- News sites and local blogs
Quality is more important than quantity.
5. Location-Based Content
Writing content that targets local keywords is vital. You can’t just optimize for generic terms like “plumber” you need to target “plumber in [your city]” or “emergency plumber near [neighborhood].”
You should be creating content that answers local questions. Blog posts, service pages, FAQ sections. These are all great places to naturally include location-based keywords.
Here’s the thing though…
Keyword stuffing no longer works. Create content that genuinely helps your local audience first, and then optimize it for search engines second.
Effective Strategies to Dominate Local Search Results
You now know the key ranking factors. Now let’s take a look at some specific strategies you can use to improve your local search rankings.
1. Build High-Quality Local Backlinks
Backlinks from other local websites will tell Google that you’re an active member of the community. These are some of the most valuable backlinks you can acquire.
Here’s how to build them:
- Sponsor local events or sports teams
- Partner with other local businesses
- Get featured in local news stories
- Join local business associations
Getting local backlinks is easier than you might think. Reach out to other businesses you have a relationship with first.
2. Optimize For Voice Search
Voice search is becoming more common when it comes to people finding local businesses. When someone asks their phone “where’s the nearest coffee shop,” you want to be the answer.
Voice searches are longer and more conversational. Optimize your content for questions like:
- “Where can I find…”
- “What’s the best…”
- “Who does…”
Include these natural language questions in your website content, especially in your FAQ sections.
3. Leverage Social Media
Social media is no direct ranking factor but it does play a big part in local SEO. Your social profiles will often show up in search results for your business name.
You should:
- Keep your business information up to date on all social channels
- Post about local events
- Engage with local customers and other businesses
- Use location tags on your posts
Social media also brings referral traffic to your website which will help your SEO indirectly.
4. Track Local Pack Rankings
The local pack (also known as map pack) is the three business listings that show with a map at the top of local search results. Appearing in the local pack will generate large amounts of traffic.
Monitor your rankings for your most important local keywords. If you’re not ranking in the top three, focus on the strategies above to move up.
You can use tools like Google Search Console to keep an eye on your rankings over time.
Final Words on Local Search Rankings
Local SEO services have the ability to change the entire landscape of your business by putting you in front of people who are already searching for what you have to offer near them.
The strategies above are not overly complicated but they do require consistent effort over time.
Here are the most important takeaways:
- Claim and fully optimize your Google Business Profile
- Build and maintain NAP consistency everywhere
- Get more positive reviews from happy customers
- Write content that targets your local audience
- Build relationships with other local businesses to get local backlinks
Start with the basics before delving into more advanced tactics. A well-optimized Google Business Profile and NAP consistency is going to get you 80% of the way there.
The businesses that win at local SEO are the ones that are willing to put in the work over a long period of time. If you can do this, you’ll dominate your local area.
