What is local SEO?
SEO is “Search Engine Optimisation”, and that means your website is prepared correctly to be found and categorised by search engines (like Google, Bing, or Yahoo!).
Local SEO focuses on getting customers from your surrounding area, important for small business such as trades who need customers they can actually reach. For example, if you’re a plumber, it’s no use having enquiries from Germany, unless you feel like a long commute.
Why is this crucial for small business and start-ups?
Even if you don’t work in an industry where your customer’s location is part of your business model, this service gives you vital business listing and links to your site – and that can boost your rankings with search engines.
Start-ups can really benefit from this too, as the extra exposure provided by these links will help build your brand.
Local business SEO services are great for desktop and mobile. How many times have you gone to a shop to find they don’t have what you need in stock? Then out comes the smartphone looking for your next nearest option. If your small business doesn’t have any local directory entries, they’ll probably never find you.
With a good local strategy, your products and services are put in front of customers in a timely fashion and in a convenient way, which makes them much more likely to press the “Buy Now” button, pop in for a visit, or pick up the phone.
What services should you look for?
Ongoing website maintenance and monitoring are needed if your strategy is going to be effective.
Your website and contact details should be listed on quality local directories such as Yell.com, Foursquare, and Yelp.
You should also appear on Google local, especially on the map locator. Getting your business verified on this will help you increase your reputation, brand recognition, as well as sales.
If you’ve previously spent a lot of money on print ads and classifieds, you might be surprised to see how cost-effective local business search services can be, but it takes a dedicated team to ensure your listings are kept up-to-date and your website is kept at its peak performance. Then you get on with the business of doing business.
If you’re looking for that team, turn to the experts at HungryWolf® for help.
