During 2018 alone, Google clocked more than 1 trillion searches. An absolutely phenomenal figure, accounting for the overwhelming majority of searches carried out worldwide. In fact, research suggests that the major search engines now direct more than 95% of all online experiences.
The problem is that businesses at all levels aren’t blind to these numbers. All of which translates to the most ferocious competition for those all-important top-spots. Indeed, getting ahead in Google’s SERP rankings has never been a bigger challenge. Particularly for smaller and newer businesses, who may not have the kind of marketing budget available to employ high-priced tactics.
But here’s the thing – climbing the rankings without breaking the bank is well within the reach of anyone. Even the smallest local businesses have every opportunity to stand out from the crowd and make their voices heard. It’s simply a case of stepping away from traditional search marketing, instead focusing more heavily on local SEO.
What Is Local SEO?
As the name suggests, local SEO is a localized alternative to wider SEO at a national or international level. With local SEO, the business and/or web development team focuses specifically on one or more localities.
In a working example, a restaurant could choose to target the search team ‘Indian restaurant London’. Or at an even more localized level, ‘cheap Indian restaurant in Kings Cross London’. The restaurant creates a Google Business listing, ensures it appears prominently on Google Maps and boosts its profile by publishing reviews and ratings.
This way, anyone searching for a cheap Indian restaurant in this specific area is far more likely to find this specific restaurant. Had the same restaurant targeted a broader search term – ‘quality Indian food’ for example – it wouldn’t be nearly as easy to find. In addition, more localized search terms and keywords like these aren’t nearly as competitive, making it easier to push your business up the local SERP rankings.
The Benefits Of Local SEO
Research has shown that approximately 65% of people use Google and the other major search engines to find local businesses. Incredibly, almost 50% of local customers who search for local businesses pay the business a visit that very same day. Conversion rates are also exponentially higher with local business searches.
This alone amounts to one very important reason to take local SEO seriously. But if all this wasn’t enough, Google has repeatedly expressed its fondness for local SEO. Dedicated to providing smaller and newer businesses with the exposure they need to get ahead, Google offers rich rewards for those who master the art of local SEO.
But these aren’t the only reasons why an investment in local SEO makes sense for any smaller or newer business. There are additional benefits to consider, including but not limited to the following:
Local SEO Works For The Benefit Of Your Customers
Ultimately, the success of your business depends on doing what’s right by your customers. These days, the vast majority of consumers use the web to pinpoint the perfect places in their locality to take their business. They like to find whatever they’re looking for as quickly and easily as possible, be provided with sufficient information to guide their decision and locate the physical premises with ease.
They also want all required contact information to be right there in front of them in an instant. Focusing on local SEO achieves all of these requirements and many more besides, simplifying things for your customers.
Local SEO Amounts To Free Online Marketing
One of the best things about local SEO is the way in which most techniques and strategies you’ll work with along the way are 100% free of charge. Google Business Listings, publishing reviews, creating quality content and so on – all the kinds of things you can tackle without paying a penny.
Of course, you’ll need to bring a professional on-board to handle things on your behalf, if you lack the experience and expertise required to capitalize fully on local SEO. In any case, you’ll be looking at an extraordinary ROI with minimal outlay required.
Local SEO Is A Long-Term Strategy
Best of all, an investment in local SEO has the potential to generate exceptional returns indefinitely. The more effective your local SEO, the more consistently you can expect your efforts to yield a steady stream of traffic and interest from your target audience.
Paid advertising is great for the duration of the campaign, but holds little to no value when it reaches its conclusion. Effectively implemented, a local SEO strategy can generate healthy returns for the long-term.
What Is The Most Important Aspect Of Local SEO?
It’s often argued that the single most important aspect of local SEO is claiming your Google Business Listing in the first place. Otherwise, your audience may not be able to find you, and you’ll be unable to present your business to prospective customers in a convenient and favorable manner.
After claiming your Google Business Listing, the importance of publishing feedback and reviews cannot be overstated. These days, the vast majority of consumers base their purchase decisions on the reviews and recommendations of their fellow customers. Unless you can verify the quality of whatever it is you do with ‘social signals’ like these, you’ll struggle to attract their attention.
It’s also important to research and select the most appropriate keywords and search terms, strategically position links to your website in as many places as possible and publish quality content on a regular basis. Only when a multitude of complementary elements are brought together can a local SEO strategy reach maximum effectiveness.
How To Improve Local SEO
If you intend to take your local SEO efforts to the next level, it’s up to you if you go it alone or hire help. Nevertheless, choosing the best local SEO company in Chennai comes highly-recommended.
There are certain complexities and time-consuming requirements in local SEO that are far better handled by the experts. Working with a leading SEO Company in Chennai, you’ll have more time to focus on running your business while the pros take care of your local SEO profile.
Just be sure to check the firm’s track record and success stories to date, before going ahead and involving them in your project.
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