As a local business, being found in your local area is going to be a big deal for you. If you're struggling to break through the noise on Google's first page and are looking to boost your local SEO efforts, we've highlighted some of tasks you should be doing.
Get to grips with Google My Business
Google My Business is the cornerstone of local SEO. The platform is basically a mini profile for your business that shows up when people search your business name. But it's also more than that. Google My Business allows you to show up in the Google Map Pack, the pinnacle of local SEO.
When someone searches for a service, there are two ways local SEO come into play. They might specifically search for a location, for example "seo agency in Corby" or they might search "seo agency near me". With the former option, the user is dictating the location in which they wish to search. They might not be in that specific location, in which case the website and it's content must have a strong connection with the local area being searched. This is where strong and unique location pages will come in handy as it ensures you have solid experience on the desired location. Having your Google My Business location set will help with this also.
With the latter search, the user's physical location will determine the results they are shown. The Google map pack will display the most relevant results for that area. Optimising your GMB profile is one of the best ways to ensure you're featuring as close to the top as possible. List all the services you cover, all your locations, promote reviews (and answer them!) and post updates about your business to cover all aspects of optimising your profile.
Research great local directories
When looking for a local service, some people just don't know where to start. In addition, large online directories often rank highly for your chosen keywords, making it difficult for you to take the top spots. Listing your website on relevant online directories can be a huge bonus for your local SEO. Websites such as "check a trader" or "hitched" for example are great for building trust with future customers who rely on recommendations before choosing a service.
Getting onto large directories can also boost your off-page SEO by providing you with important backlinks from reputable industry sources.
Optimise your website for local SEO
Optimising your website for local SEO isn't about adding in every single location your serve and hoping for the best. Creating local pages on your website should be a solid effort, not just a copy and paste job. Tailouring your content to the local area, providing local case studies, and showcasing your expertise in the area is essential for winning the local SEO game.
Consider the main towns you'd like to target whether through your general business goals, or by checking who's viewing your website the most already. For example, you my find you're showing up for local searches such as "decorator in northampton" but if the page displayed says you're based in Corby and doesn't mention Northampton, people are less likely to click. Having a dedicated page for the Northampton area would likely lead to an increase in clicks, and ultimately leads!
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