So you want to increase your local SEO organic rankings?
Local SEO services, while many businesses and brands overlook these, they play a crucial role in the success of your website. In this article, we look at different ways to improve it and popular tools you can use to go about it.
Let’s get into it!
What is local SEO?
As the name suggests, it is a location-specific search. For example, you can search for “car for rent near me” to find rental cars within your area. As such, local SEO services allow you to optimize your content for the local search.
As such, local SEO services allow you to optimize your content for the local search.
Benefits of local SEO Services
- It bolsters trust and credibility.
- Improves your local online visibility.
- Enables customers to find and visit your physical store or office.
- Increases conversion rate.
Ways to increase your local SEO organic rankings
1. Create a Google My Business account
To increase local SEO rankings, you need to access features only available in your Google My Business account. They help you optimize for local search, resulting in a higher local ranking. When starting GMB digital marketing for a small business or large corporation, you need to provide accurate information such as category, website, hours of operation, contact details, and more.
After this, you’ll need to verify ownership of your business via a phone call or postcard. You can also optimize your GMB by sharing unique content or sharing business updates. Also, you can encourage your customers to leave reviews and do not forget to respond to them.
Google Trends is also another powerful in the Google suite. Read our guide on how to use Google Trends.
2. Ask for reviews
Not only do reviews bolster your local SEO organic ranking, but also encourage other customers to buy your products. In fact, most customers go through reviews before making a purchase. It is for this reason you need to encourage happy customers to leave reviews. Besides asking for reviews, you can:
- Send them post-purchase text encouraging them to review your product or service.
- Responding to existing reviews. For example, thanking them or addressing complaints.
However, do not limit reviews to your GMB listing. Rather, collect reviews from social media platforms, your website, and consumer directories.
3. Optimize your listing for voice search
Introduced in 2011, voice search is experiencing gradual growth, with up to 27% of internet users using it in 2021. And, the trend is only expected to grow. As such, it is crucial you consider voice search if you want to increase your local SEO organic ranking.
Introduced in 2011, voice search is experiencing gradual growth, with up to 27% of internet users using it in 2021.
As expected, local-tail keywords are primarily used in voice searches. You should therefore adjust your content to match these keywords. Besides, customers are more specific about what they are searching for. This means your content should contain specific information, otherwise, you’ll lose customers to your competitors.
4. Make your website mobile-friendly
More people are using mobile for local search. In fact, mobile local search between 2014 and 2019 was 141.9 billion while desktop accounted for 62.3 billion. As you can see, there’s a rapid shift from desktop to mobile. And one way to take advantage of this trend is to make your website mobile-friendly.
Ensure your website loads within three seconds and use a font ideal for small screens. Also, do not overlook the design of your website. If possible, make it trendy and modern. For content, avoid filler since customers are looking for specific information.
5. Work on your local link building strategy
Backlinks also influence your local ranking. You need to link to similar, yet bigger, businesses in your area. This local SEO service will significantly improve local and general SEO organic ranking. Popular ways to gain backlinks from such brands include guest posting and partnerships.
You can start with your network, which may include manufacturers, suppliers, affiliates, and more. After this, you can volunteer to sponsor an activity you love. For example, community cleaning or a half marathon. Feel free to approach decision-makers in companies you are working with.
6. Create local content
This is yet another simple way to increase local SEO ranking. You can create a page on your website specifically intended for local news. This can be, shifts in the local market, a partnership with a company, and promoting local events.
7. Add location-specific pages to your website
If you have branches in different locations, it is crucial to add location pages. They provide customers with information such as location, hours of operation, address, branch name, and more. However, avoid content duplication, as this can harm your general SEO. That said, ensure to include a Google Map for each branch.
They provide customers with information such as location, hours of operation, address, branch name, and more. However, avoid content duplication, as this can harm your general SEO.
Top tools to improve your local SEO organic rankings
Moz Local
A product of Moz, Moz Local ensures verification of your business on Google and social media platforms. It is one of the least expensive tools that allows for prompt business listing updates. With it, you can monitor reviews, distribution reporting, update distribution, and more.
Whitespark
Whitespark is yet another powerful tool for local SEO. It builds citations, tracks local ranking, builds quality backlinks, and more. some of the integrated tools include:
- Local Citation finder
- Link Prospector
- Reputation Builder
- Local Rank Tracker
Ahrefs
Most businesses use Ahrefs for creating and checking backlinks. This is because the quality and quantity of backlinks affect your local SEO ranking. Besides, you can use it for keyword research, competitor analysis, and more.
BrightLocal
BrightLocal is a tool specifically developed for local SEO and marketing needs. It enables you to generate authentic reviews, do competitor research, and analyze your local search performance. You’ll love how easy it is to create reports so you can track your local SEO strategy.
Final Thoughts
Increasing your local SEO organic ranking is as easy as following the above tips. Always ensure you set up a complete GMB account, develop a mobile-friendly website, and be active on social media platforms.
You can also use the above tools for improved results. So, which tip appeals to you? Let us know in the comment section.
Tools to use:
