Why Small Businesses Should Focus on Local SEO
As a small business, it's not easy competing against the giants in your industry. The playing field is not even, but where you can gain a competitive edge is with local search engine optimisation (SEO).
Local SEO is the secret weapon that small businesses can focus on. When you have an effective local SEO strategy in place, you can rank high in local results, putting you on the map and ensuring you reach your target audience effectively.
Local search engine optimisation (SEO) is a strategy that focuses on improving your visibility in local search results. The focus is to ensure your business is shown when someone searches for products or services in your specified geographical area. When you optimise for local SEO, you increase the chance of your audience finding your business when looking for solutions through Google Search, Google Maps, and other search engines.
Traditional SEO focuses on boosting visibility on a national or international scale, while local SEO targets an audience in a specific geographical area. For example, if you are looking at a global or national strategy, you may use a keyword such as “SEO agency,” while if you are focusing on local SEO, you use a longer phrase, that could be “best SEO agency in London.”
The process also differs, where local SEO focuses on optimising your Google My Business profile, listing in local directories, and encouraging customer reviews. You are not competing with the world, you are only competing within your local community.
Local SEO is a winning formula for small businesses, evening the playing field. Unlike large companies that have large budgets to spend on their online advertising, small businesses need to make an impact in their local area for as little money as possible, working with the tightest of budgets. Why is local SEO valuable to small businesses?
When a person searches the internet for a product or service in their location, it usually means they are ready to make a purchase. Local SEO ensures you reach the right people at the right time who are actively looking to buy your products or services.
When you optimise for local search you increase your chances of being seen by your local community. This is important if you rely on foot traffic and local clients.
The more visible you are on the internet, the more foot traffic your local store will experience. Local SEO helps your audience discover your business online and in person.
An important element of SEO is customer reviews. The more positive reviews your business receives, the more credible you become. When potential customers read positive feedback they are more likely to trust your business.
Recent studies show that between 90% and 95% of consumers rely on online reviews to help with their purchasing decision.
Small businesses can find local SEO as a game-changer, helping them improve their online presence, reach their audience, and enjoy sustainable and long-term growth. If you are struggling to get noticed online as a small business, get in touch with the experts at Genie Crawl today for assistance.
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