What Is Local SEO and Why Do You Need It?

Everyone knows that Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is critical to make sure your website gets found online. Keywords, meta tags, and page descriptions are important aspects of a well-optimized website, but what about local SEO? When people search for a local business, you need to ensure that your website has all the metrics in place to show up for local search.

According to Telmetrics, 60% of mobile consumers expect businesses that show up in search results to be within walking or local driving distance. So, doesn’t it make sense to optimize for local SEO?

Okay, How Do I Optimize For Local SEO?

1. Google Places for Business

Your first step is to claim your Google Places for Business listing. Ensure that your website address, opening hours, street address, and contact information are correct. In addition, assign the correct categories for your type of venue, and enter a brief keyword rich description about your business.

2. Google+ Local

After you have claimed your Google Places for Business listing, you will want to connect it to you Google+ Local page. Here you can post more information about your business such as photos, videos, reviews, and status updates. Be sure to use relative keywords to help fill out your profile and make it as relevant to your business as possible.

This is also a great way to engage customers and visitors by encouraging them to leave reviews. Places and Local listings with (positive) reviews tend to dominate search results.

3. On-page Local SEO

Another important element is the address on your website. Check to be sure that abbreviations like Suite are all abbreviated the same across your Places and Local profiles, and your website. Your page title tag should feature your brand name as well as the location you wish to target. Finally, embedding a Google map on your contact page will help with local SEO.

4. Be Mobile Friendly!

Since people are searching for you on their mobile devices, you need to be mobile friendly! Try looking at your own website on your smartphone or tablet. If you have to pinch to zoom or scroll back and forth, then you need a responsive mobile website!