We all know that getting listed in local search results is extremely important for any local business.

As per Google’s research to find out local search behavior, “50% of consumers who conducted a local search on their smartphone visited a store within a day, and 34% who searched on computer/tablet did the same.”

Getting ranked in local search results is getting difficult day by day. If we talk about Google SERPs, the first 4 places are taken by ads. The fact is that you are not only competing with local results but also with those paid ads which are ranking above the local results and gaining higher visibility.

But, this should not mean that we should stop focusing on local search results because as per Smart Insights, paid search equates to just over 5% of all traffic comparing to organic which comes to around 95%.

If you want to improve your website’s organic ranking, you need to focus on Local SEO. Below mentioned Local SEO tips can help you in accomplishing your ranking goals:-

Claim & Optimize Google Local Business Listing

Since Google launched its premium local algorithm named Pigeon, local SEO has drastically changed. Google algorithm can now make out the local intent of user’s search queries. For example, if you search for a school in Google, it will show you the schools located nearby your area.

This algorithm has made essential for businesses to claim and optimize their Google Local Business Listing in order to get listed in search results.

Optimize for Voice Search

When thinking of local SEO strategy, just don’t ignore optimizing your website for voice search. Your users may perform voice search for queries like “pizza places nearby having high rating” and many such queries on the go.

You may not prefer missing those customers right? So, just optimize your website for voice search and gain an advantage over your competitors as people performing voice search are increasing day by day.

Optimize for “Near Me”

Since past 5 years, search queries with “Near Me” are accelerating over SERPs. Due to this reason, Optimizing for “near me” searches has become extremely important.

Optimizing for “near me” would not only improve your website ranking in local search but will also help you in gaining higher visibility of your business in Google My Business rankings.

Include Yahoo and Bing in SEO Strategy

Agreed that most of the time people search on Google, but Yahoo and Bing local search can also not be ignored. Claim your business on Yahoo and Bing too.

This would help you in exposing your business details like the website, address, phone numbers, etc. to your potential customers looking for you on Yahoo and Bing too.

Update Your Profile on Social Media

Having an updated profile on social media platforms like Facebook and Yelp can help you in gaining ranking in local searches. Create a page on these sites and improvise your local search rankings.

Moreover, interacting with your present customers on social media can help you in attracting other potential customers and lead you towards the growth of your business.

In other words, social media optimization helps on a long-term basis as far as business credibility is concerned.

Plan a Proper Link Building Strategy

Linking to your website from high authority websites plays a major role in your business visibility in local search results. Google and other search engines give importance to the websites which are recommended by directories, portals, etc., with high credibility and authority.

This can be done by including your website link on blogs, email newsletters, advertisements, local media, etc. However, you need to ensure that the link to your website comes from the website which is relevant to your business.

Try to Gain High Ratings and Positive Reviews

Google and other search engines give importance to websites possessing high ratings and maximum positive reviews.

Encourage your present customers to provide good reviews on your local listing so that your ranking improves and ultimately visibility gets boosted.

Planning a Local SEO Strategy? Hire an Expert

After going through the above local SEO tips, you might be overwhelmed with the idea itself of sparing your time and resources to achieve ranking in local SEO results.

Don’t panic. We understand that you have your core business activities to look after. Just hire a reputed SEO company expert at executing successful local SEO strategies.

With help from QE Agency – Your SEO Handyman, you will definitely be able to execute diversified local SEO strategies helping you to drive maximum customers to your business website.