Local Search Engine Optimisation
Local Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is vitally important to all businesses that wish to attract local customers.
All of the major search engines now place importance upon local search in their algorithms, which means that registration with the various local directories that are powered by each of the search engines is more important than ever, and may positively affect search engine rankings. The major players are Google My Business, Yahoo! Local and Bing Local.
In each case, the search engines allow you to “claim” your business listing by registering your business name and address with them and providing a link to your website. They usually require you to complete a verification process which proves to the search engine that you are actually the business owner.
You are also able to include a wide range of other information including a description of the business, opening hours, payment methods accepted, services and offers.
Google has, with Google Business, taken this a stage further and allows you to customise your listing with your logo, news posts, photos, videos and customer reviews.
Local reviews now play a vital part in Search Engine rankings and are a very influential factor in the decision-making process for customers.
Three Girls Media can help you implement a review-gathering strategy.
Book a Free 30 Minute Consultation
Key Benefits of Local SEO
Nearly 1 in 3 of all mobile searches are location-specific, and Google is the top search engine users use to search for local businesses.
99% of consumers surveyed used the internet to find local businesses in the last year.
94% of consumers said positive reviews make them more likely to use a business.
Ranking higher in local SEO involves a combination of factors, including:
Relevance: The search engines will look for keywords and phrases on your website and in your local listings that match the search query. For example a search for “Coffee Shops” may also bring up cafes and restaurants.
Distance: The algorithm will also take into account the distance between the searcher’s location and your facility. Whilst other factors are relevant, the closer you are to the searcher’s location, the higher you can expect to feature in their personalised results.
Prominence: Search engines will also consider the overall online authority and reputation of a business, as well as the number and quality of online reviews.
On-page optimization: Proper on-page optimization such as meta tags, header tags, structured data, website speed, mobile-friendliness and internal linking, will help search engines understand the relevance and context of your website.
Citations: Listing your business on directories and citation sites, with consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) information, can also help improve your local SEO.
Three Girls Media can handle the whole local search engine optimisation process for you, registering your business with each of the major search engines and customising that listing with your choice of graphics and other information.
We can also help to initiate customer reviews through our email marketing service. We can design and run a campaign for you offering your existing customer database a modest incentive for visiting your listing and submitting a review. It will almost certainly be worth it!
Book a Free 30 Minute Consultation
What Three Girls Media Can Offer
Local Search Engine Optimisation is a big part of what we do for both new and existing clients.
Coming up in the “Map Pack” can literally make the difference between having a constant stream of enquiries, and having none.
We offer a number of services that can solve this problem including:
- Google My Business profile building and management
- Map Citation building
- Reputation management
- Review outreach and management
- Local and Education niche directory submission.
- Local website outreach
