Local SEO has altered the digital landscape immensely in the past few years. Where once firms were racing to mark a global footprint, the focus has now shifted towards ensuring that SEO results are most relevant to a particular geographical location. This is amply illustrated by trends such as the voice search, virtual smartphone assistants and smart devices for consumers who are not interacting with a screen. So, web content must be optimized for local users.

The key to effective digital marketing is ensuring that your search engine optimization efforts are geared towards local searches. Successfully channeling local traffic to your website boosts visibility amongst customers looking for local options. Amping up your local SEO performance helps you ride to the top of search results and can also in turn positively influence your paid search results.

Local SEO in 2019

Google estimates that 97% of consumers look for local businesses online. Being able to convert a search result to a business deal is the difference between staying afloat and going under. According to a study (link), statistics clearly illustrate how crucial local search is for businesses:

Local search is a broad field that’s constantly growing and changing, challenging marketers to keep up. No matter what kind of business it is, traditional marketing campaigns should always be accompanied by real efforts into local SEO ranking to boost online presence. Ranking as a legitimate business increases brand awareness and customers’ traffic, saves money on paid ads, and attracts instant publicity.

What is Local SEO?

Local SEO is a search engine optimization process specifically geared to highlighting local results during online searches. Page content, link building, and on-page optimization are combined to show up on top in local search results. Since Google remains the most relevant search engine, consistent information must be provided across the local search landscape. The only way in which local SEO and organic SEO differ is in terms of the geographical component – while organic SEO is aimed at a global audience, local SEO is relevant to a limited geographical spread.

Top Google Local Pack Ranking Factors

Here are the bases you must cover if you want your website to show up at the top of search results on Google:

What is Important for your Local SEO Strategy?

Local SEO implies that the relevant audience is aware of your existence. These are the people who are located locally, and who conduct online searches with clear intent. Being visible to them is what wins the day. Here are some tips for becoming accessible to more and more people locally:

In addition to the above, some local tactics are: apply geo-modified keywords to pinpoint the location, and ensure that you are featured on trusted local snippets.

Local SEO tools

Some local SEO specific tools which can be applied to increase website performance are:

Apart from these, Google has a range of tools to help every business build and maintain their own specialized local SEO mechanisms. These include – Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Google My Business insights, Google tag manager and results of statistics and surveys.

The success of your local SEO strategy is determined by how the business defines overall success. A well-structured plan should be developed which is scalable as well as open to modification. To really improve local presence, local SEO too should be monitored and fine-tuned in accordance with the business environment’s opportunities and threats. Local SEO optimization is a continuous process.

About author

Rakhi Chowdhary

Currently, an SEO manager at Envigo Marketing Pvt. Ltd., Rakhi Chowdhary with over 12 years of SEO experience in an array of industry verticals, is focused on leveraging her expertise across industries for different service areas. She has successfully created and managed campaigns for various promotional strategies. 

View posts by Rakhi Chowdhary

Would you like to work with us?

Get in touch.

You might also like