When it comes to getting more customers, more and more businesses are focusing on local SEO essentials. Because getting local website optimization “right” is the foundation for broadcasting their products and services. Because higher-ranking not only makes your website more prominent and gives you a better chance to stand out among competitors. So what are the local SEO essentials for your website?
Where you rank in the search engines endorses your business’s credibility and brings new customers. As First View Online shares, “Searchers make mental notes of the rankings for the terms they enter into Google and other search engines… And in the minds of consumers, your ranking is a vote of confidence.”
Local SEO Essentials Minimums
At the minimum, website owners have heard of keywords and tried to implement them in their web content. They need to realize that search engine optimization comes in various levels. There are ways to optimize your website for generic SEO as well as for local. Local SEO helps searchers narrow their search and find services accessible in their geographic location. SEO is essential to small businesses interested in reaching customers in the local community.
But local SEO is broader than just firms and small businesses. As a rule of thumb, your business can also benefit from local SEO if you meet one or more of the following requirements:
- You have a business branch in a particular city or region.
- You want to build up your brand name in a local community.
- Your service/product is tailored to a geographic area.
Because local SEO is about SEO geo-customization; therefore, even if you are a thriving corporation, local SEO can help you tailor your SEO strategy to a specific area and promote your brand visibility. Without further ado, here are six local SEO essentials everyone must remember for a successful local SEO experience:
Sparkling Home Page
Your home page is usually your client’s first stop. Why? Because it is your storefront and where you showcase your products and services. For many people, the way you display, decorate, and organize your storefront says a lot about your business. It tells them how serious you are. Therefore, if you have a shabby home page, you advise your clients that you do not see the need to spend time and money to polish your business.
Unfortunately, many business owners have minimum content on their home page and, as a result, fail to promote their brands professionally and convincingly. Thin content could be a better local SEO practice. After all, your home page should always include information about your service(s) and local SEO keywords that reflect your area(s) of service.
As Search Engine Land rightly points out, “Your customers (and search engines) need to know what you’re all about. Suppose your home page has a slider/banner and just a few sentences. In that case, you need to add more useful content there immediately.”
Consistent and Accurate NAP
Your NAP, including your name, address, and phone number, must be consistently styled, formatted, and written in all directories. When you register your business in a credible directory, you want to ensure that you accurately fill out all the information. Because doing so will help your customers recognize your brand and easily reach out.
And, while you are at it, go ahead and check your website to make sure that you have your targeted City/Region and relevant keywords included in your:
- Website title tag
- H1 tag
- Page URL
- Content
- Image ALT attributes
List Your Business in Credible Directories
More customers than you know perform their search on local business directories. Many of these directories receive high views daily and can dramatically increase your website traffic.
Complete Social Network Profiles
As with our principle of consistency, your social media platforms must be complete. Include your location, address, hours of service, and other information for a seamless experience. Be consistent with your profile photos so your brand image is consistently marketed across all media channels.
Build Local Links
Unlike a directory, an online citation is the reference place to list your NAP. For starters trying to submit sources independently, Moz.com has a place for small businesses to manually present business information.
The 6 Local SEO Essentials rely much more on local links than generic, industry-related links. While building connections with others beyond your geographic region always helps, having local support makes you shine as a local business. Hiring a Houston SEO expert is one of the simplest ways to list your business. Have more questions? Then call the pros at ProEngage Local today.