If there’s one aspect of SEO you should be focusing on, it has got to be getting good page rankings on local searches. According to Google, about 73% of all online activity is related to local searches. Before buying a product or going to a commercial establishment, most consumers use the Internet to obtain more information about businesses. They also use such information to determine which product or service they would like to support next.
To attract more potential customers, it is essential that you take advantage of the opportunities offered by local searches. You should optimise your Google local listing to make it much easier for your target market to find you. BrigthEdge CEO and founder Jim Yu offered some tips on how you can create a solid local presence via Google.
First, you should list down important information about your business for your local listing to be effective. Studies have shown that one in three customers will do a local search on a smartphone before visiting a store. They are often looking for valuable, practical information about the business, such as the latter’s address and operating hours.
Jim also pointed out that local listings with complete information rank higher on Google. According to him, the search engine giant “understands that local users are better served by businesses that give them all the information they need.” And when customers are made to choose between two similar listings, they are more likely to choose the one that provides more information.
You should also use precise location information to ensure the accuracy of your local listings. According to Jim, Google+ local listings use Google maps to generate locations and information for customers. They help them determine where exactly a particular business is. If there are any incorrect information about your exact business location, it can throw off and confuse your customers.
Location keywords should also be incorporated into your local listing content, Jim said. Citing a study conducted by SEO expert Wesley Young, he explained that keywords placed in business titles have a 19.6% impact on local search performance. Therefore, you should utilise location geotags or location keywords throughout your Google listing, particularly in your title tag, H1 heading, and URL.
And finally, encourage your customer to leave reviews. According to a Nielsen study, 92% of customers are more inclined to trust advertisements and recommendations from other people than paid advertising. With customer reviews and testimonials, you can improve the credibility of your business.
