{"id":5980,"date":"2020-10-27T11:15:50","date_gmt":"2020-10-27T15:15:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ladybugz.com\/?p=5980"},"modified":"2024-01-18T20:18:09","modified_gmt":"2024-01-19T01:18:09","slug":"local-seo-made-easy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ladybugz.com\/local-seo-made-easy\/","title":{"rendered":"Local SEO Made Easy – Tips To Get Your Business Found"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Local<\/a>What exactly is Local SEO or Local Search? Well, you hear the same thing whether you\u2019re buying a house or renting a retail location\u2014it\u2019s about location, location, location. The same is true when your potential customers do an online search for a business like yours. <\/span><\/p>\n

Recent reports have shown that 64% of customers use local search engines and directories as their main way to find local businesses, and a whopping 78% of local mobile searches result in offline purchases. This situation arises day in and day out, with 33% of searchers going online daily to look for local business, and 16% looking online multiple times per week. <\/span>(source: Search Engine Land<\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

The implication is clear. If your business can’t be found on a Google search, and your competitor’s can, you\u2019re in trouble. <\/span>Even if your clients don\u2019t visit you in person, many still look for local services\u2014it\u2019s an instant connection that builds trust. <\/span><\/p>\n

Luckily, there are ways to bump up your local search results as part of your marketing strategy. <\/span><\/p>\n

How can you make the most of local SEO or local search?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

There are three basic ways to improve your local search results. The easiest method is with Google My Business (also knows as Google Maps). Following that is the use of citation or directory based websites. And the most challenging method is to improve SEO\u2014appearing in search results without paid ads. <\/span><\/p>\n

Looking at these methods in detail will show how you, in partnership with a website developer or digital marketing or web agency, can make the improvements needed to be a local search champ.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are an overview and suggestions for leveraging these three methods:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. For Local SEO Signing up with Google My Business (Google Maps) is easy and effective.<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Google My Business (Google Maps)<\/a> may seem like a little thing, but it can be quite important because it appears on the first page of search results. The rest of the first page is mostly taken up by paid ads. Unless you’re in the map listings or have an ad, it’s nearly impossible to get on that first page. This matters because, according to Moz<\/a>, the first page <\/span>captures anywhere from 71% to over 90% of clicks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although it’s easy to sign up on maps, many businesses don’t\u2014<\/span>so it puts you one step ahead of your competitors. <\/span><\/p>\n

So how does Google My Business (Google Maps) work?<\/b> <\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Local<\/a>Businesses listed on Google My Business<\/a> (Google Maps) are ordered by relevance to the search term, distance, and prominence (how well the business is known online and off). A few businesses are listed on page one, followed by a \u201cview all\u201d button which brings up additional listings. Each listing looks something like this listing from a search I did on \u201cBoston Restaurants.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Local<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Click on the business name and you see a new box more complete information <\/span>(see below)<\/span>. This information is provided by a business when it sets up its Google Map listing (so make sure you complete as much information as you can on the Maps form). <\/span><\/p>\n

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As you can see, there are buttons that link to your website, give directions, allow you to save the business to a list, and call them. These clicks are considered <\/span>backlink<\/span>s, an important factor in your SEO ranking<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

SEO is not for Dummies: Why you Need to up your SEO Game and How to Do it.<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n