Good SEO is crucial to everyone these days, but especially important to local businesses and companies seeking to make people aware of their offerings. Use the following 3 local SEO tips to let your clients and customers know where, what and how awesome your business is.
1. Spend time on your tags
The first step in Local SEO starts with on-page title tags. Because the text of your title and description tags is displayed on Search Engine results pages, it is very important to make the tags strong, clear advertisements for the offerings of your business or company.
Title and meta description tags reflect the content of your web page. For example, everyone knows what Starbucks has; but few people can know what is offered locally if it is not advertised.
Keep title tags between 50 and 60 characters and description tags between 160 and 200 characters. Use the space wisely and check out this free tool to show you exactly how your tags will look on search engine results pages. Looks matter.
Be unique, descriptive and compelling to maximize your click-through rate (CTR). You know the drill. Keep it professional, impactful and use the space well. Localize your description tag by including the area you serve. Obviously, your goal is to convince search engine users that your page is worth a look!
2. Build local business listings
Google claims that 4 out of 5 consumers conduct local searches within search engines.
But many small businesses have not claimed a local business listing online. Don’t be one of them! Use Google My Business, Yelp, Merchant Circle, Citysearch and other top online business directories for listing.
You may want to seek out additional local directories to list your business correctly and consistently. Citation data aggregators like Infogroup, Neustar, Acxiom and Factual help to get the most important information about your business out there–name, address and phone number (NAP). Always be consistent. Or you can face the wrath of Google.
Perhaps the biggest directory you absolutely want to be a part of is Google My Business. Additionally, you will want to claim your Bing Places for Business page. They are free to claim, but you must undergo a verification process in which the search engine in question sends mail to your location’s physical address. Only a business owner can claim a Google My Business page.
Once you have the listing, make it great by optimizing with a good description and listing categories, business hours and types of payment accepted. Use logos as well as pictures of products and services. Fully populate all relevant fields.
3. Keep track of your reviews and ask patrons to write them.
You can manage everything with these reputation marketing software tools: Reputation Loop, Get Five Stars, Trust Pilot or Vendasta.
Always respond, even to criticisms. You care what people think.
Several social media platforms these days even make it easy for you to monitor the number of times your brand is mentioned and get alerts. Facebook and Google My Business are huge for consumers, so spend much of your time with those online reviews.
If you’re finding it difficult to get customers to leave reviews, give them something in exchange. Incentives are the way to your customers’ hearts! Consider offering a coupon, gift card or product for free when they leave you a review on Google My Business (and other directories alike).
How does your local SEO status stack up?
LA SEO can help you get your local business off the ground with some online optimization.
Contact us today!
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