What is Local SEO?
Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is an effective and efficient method used today to grow businesses that operate locally or target a specific demographic. Using local SEO techniques, you can promote your business’s products and services within a local area or to a particular target audience, helping you engage with your customers more purposefully and strategically.
For instance, imagine you own a large restaurant in Montreal. Your target audience or potential customers would be the residents of Montreal. So, when someone searches for “restaurant in Montreal” online, you want your website to appear on the first page of Google search results. Here, by effectively using local SEO techniques, you can improve your website’s ranking and increase its visibility and the chances of being clicked on.
It is important to note that nowadays, most users rely on local searches to find the products and services they need. They tend to narrow down their search terms, making it essential for your website to appear on the first page of these local search results.
Why should you have a Local SEO strategy?
- Between 40% and 64% of customers and users use local search on Google and their devices to find what they need.
• Local SEO can cover a broader and more relevant target market.
• Local SEO increases the conversion rate from user to customer faster, providing a better return on investment (ROI).
• Many of the services designed for local SEO in Google are free.
• Local SEO techniques are simple and focus mainly on marketing.
• Nowadays, all activities occur online and very few people pay attention to paper ads when looking for services or products near their location.
Techniques of Local SEO
Before discussing the techniques of local SEO, it is essential to clarify that local SEO is not fundamentally different from general site SEO. First, you must ensure your website’s structure is optimized for SEO and design principles. Only then should you focus on optimizing your website’s local SEO. In this method, you follow specific steps to ensure that your website appears in searches that users conduct locally.
Optimizing Meta Tags for Titles and Descriptions and Keyword Density in Text
The first task is to optimize Meta tags for titles and descriptions using specific keywords. Use key phrases that users might employ in their local searches for your business, such as “the best hypermarket in Montreal.” Essentially, you should include geographic keywords in both your title and text. Additionally, ensure that the density of the local SEO keywords is maintained throughout your text.
Google Maps and Google Business
Register your website’s address and complete details on Google Maps and Google Business. By registering your link, your website will appear with complete information, including the address and description, when users search based on location.
Directories
Directories are another set of websites that introduce businesses comprehensively. However, it is important to note that not every directory can effectively enhance your local SEO. Therefore, it is best to use well-known directories.
Social Media
Social media platforms are additional spaces to showcase your products and services. For example, on many of these platforms, you can add your location or map or use relevant hashtags to help users find you based on local searches. Moreover, users can leave feedback about your services and products, and these reviews can further improve your website’s local SEO. The most important social media platform for improving local SEO is Google Plus.
