How do we find a specific business or a service near us? If we need a particular product, what do we do? We often use search engines and use words to describe our needs and follow the result pages for suitable answers.
If you own
a local business, it’s crucial to have a solid online presence to attract and
retain customers. One of the most effective ways to do this is through Local
SEO. Local SEO helps you to rank higher in local search results and reach
potential customers in your area. However, many local businesses need help to
succeed with their Local SEO efforts. Hence, a trusted Local SEO company comes into
the picture.
Local
search engine optimization (SEO) stands to help us in this regard.
More than 88%
of consumers search for local businesses on smartphones. 46%
of Google searches are for local information.
Let’s
understand ‘Local SEO’ with an example.
You’ve been
eating Chinese food for fifteen days while travelling in China. You search for
“Spanish restaurants in Shanghai” because you’re looking for something
different. This time, as opposed to other times, your search is directed at a
more focused and limited target market. You get a fantastic Spanish
restaurant’s website that appears at the top of your Google search results.
What does
this mean?
The
restaurant’s website is well-optimized for Local SEO.
You will be
surprised to know that more than 72% of local searches ended
up in stores within a radius of five miles.
You can
only recognize a business that has a search engine-optimized digital presence.
The product or service searches that end with ‘near me’ will only show those
business pages closer to the searcher. Hence, SMEs and startups religiously
focus on local SEO to get recognized in their locations.
A business
thus hires a local SEO company to establish its digital
presence.
However,
when choosing a local SEO company, it’s essential to look for the following key
factors:
·
Expertise: Look for a company with a proven track
record of success in local SEO. Ask for case studies and testimonials from past
clients to see how they’ve helped businesses improve their online visibility.
·
Transparent reporting: A data-driven local SEO
company will provide clear and transparent reporting on their work and
progress. They will explain their strategies and techniques and show you the
results they’ve achieved for other businesses.
·
Tailored approach: Local SEO can differ for every
business, depending on the industry, location, and competition. Look for a
company that takes a tailored approach to local SEO, customizing its strategies
to meet the specific needs of your business.
·
Communication and responsiveness: An excellent
local SEO company should communicate and respond to your needs and concerns.
They should be available to answer your questions and provide regular updates
on their work.
Why hire a
local SEO company?
A Local SEO
company has the expertise and resources to help you achieve high local search
rankings to improve your visibility in local search results. They understand
the local search algorithms and can help you optimize your website and online
presence to rank higher in local search results.
To
understand leveraging a local SEO agency for small businesses and startups,
here is a list of points to ponder.
Let’s
explore!
1.
Research and identification
of target audience
A local SEO
agency will be able to identify the right audience for a small business and
target it. It will also research an audience’s demographic features and online
behaviour to develop specific digital marketing strategies for better impact.
2.
Digital presence and analysis
Without a
digital presence, the SEO service provider will build one from scratch. It can
also revamp an existing one and ensure all the necessary ingredients per social
media standards are present. It enables the creation of a proper digital image,
brand establishment, multichannel promotion, and brand awareness. It will help
evaluate and analyze a website’s traffic and search engine optimization (SEO)
efforts to improve search engine visibility and drive more relevant organic
traffic to the site, analyzing various factors such as keyword rankings,
website structure, backlink profile, user behavior, and content quality.
3.
Increasing visibility
One of the
most crucial outcomes of small businesses’ SEO is to
increase the visibility of a business online. Companies these days don’t enjoy
a monopoly. They need to focus on USPs to be seen or recognized in a crowd with
the changing consumer demands and business landscape. Digital marketing and SEO
can be the best ways to increase online visibility, as most users spend at
least 2.5 hours daily on various digital platforms.
4.
Attracting relevant traffic
and increasing conversion rate
Another
reason a local SEO service provider can add to a digital marketing strategy is
to focus on the relevant traffic and enjoy a higher conversion rate. SEO leads
to channelizing promotional material to a demographically pertinent audience.
Hence, the chances of lead conversion increase manifold.
5.
Increased engagement rate
Adding
social media platforms and other digital mediums increases the engagement rate
of potential leads. It offers more time to convert them into customers.
6.
Website development and
management
Developing
a website and managing it becomes a crucial part of SEO. A local SEO
company will create a website and check its speed, usability, SEO
content, protection, security, and updates.
Small businesses’ SEO can be a
game changer. SMEs and startups can benefit from local SEO services, from
content development to online image creation.
The Final
Words
By
partnering with a company with the expertise and resources to help you achieve
high local search rankings, you can attract more customers, build trust and
credibility, and achieve long-term success for your business.
The Wall