If you are a new or developing business, you want to stay on top of trends and ways to bolster your business, and a simple way to achieve that is to be diligent with your local SEO analytics and settings. Google reigns supreme, and having up-to-date and coherent information available at the click of a button means that your business will appear more frequently in search results, and reach your target audience to grow your business, or just get your name out there!
- Reason: Attract More Customers – This one is a no brainer! If more people know about your business, more people can patronize it! Keeping updated local SEO will ensure that you stay front and centre in your industry no matter what.
- Reason: Targeted Traffic – Local SEO tactics will put your business in front of the people who are actually looking for it, without getting tripped up with people getting lost in the weeds of sponsored broad advertising.
- Reason: Bypass Competition – Because not every business has this knowledge, by utilizing the existing tools at your fingertips you can create an advantage against your competition who might not be on top of these things.
What Does Local SEO Encompass?
So what is local SEO anyways?! This might be your first question. While we have mentioned this topic before, it is always a good idea to go over the basics. To put it simply, local SEO encompasses the information available via Google about your business specifically. Things like operating hours, contact information, and products can be found on many different search engines, and you’re able to make sure that this happens by using targeted, local search engine optimization tactics to strengthen your client base.
Map Packs
One of the handiest features Google Maps has to offer is the ability to see a mapped out location when you click on a business, and this is something that you need to optimize to take full advantage of! The Map Pack is displayed as a package of 3 or more Google Maps results when you search for a business, with the algorithm determining which of these is most relevant to the term searched. This gives the searcher access to the businesses contact information, hours of operation, and a link to their website for further details among other details.
Google Profile Optimization
It’s not just your map pack and ads that need optimizing. Your Google Business profile is a key component into your online visibility within localized searches. It’s crucial to keep this profile updated to the fullest extent, with no fields left untouched. Be stringent with your contact info, as a digit wrong could mean dozens of missed opportunities! Make sure to be posting photos and posts through your Google profile weekly to stay on top of the algorithm, and be sure to respond to reviews with kind and helpful words.
Fully Updated Products or Services
Having a full scope of the products and services available means you can display offerings that match people’s searches, and direct them to your website or storefront. Be sure to keep this updated and fresh as well, with eye-catching photos and descriptions to match. Don’t be afraid to sell yourself high, you’re trying to attract people, talk yourself up!
A Regular Posting Schedule With Keyword Research
Make sure to be posting regularly with specific, researched keywords that will draw people in. Studying your analytics to see which search terms drive the most engagement, and sprinkle them into your regular posts and photos. Even putting aside the informational aspect, posting regularly boosts your rating with Google, thus bringing you up higher in search results!
Quick Replies To Messages
Having an automatic reply is so important to creating connection at any time, not just during business hours. Having an automatic reply with basic, need to know information, and a brief message explaining when you should expect a response will let the prospective customer know that while you personally might not be constantly available, there will always be up to date information to be procured at any time. Make sure to keep this updated, and don’t be afraid to make it seasonal!
Replying To 5-Star Reviews
When people leave reviews, they are generally expecting that their words are going to be read by someone who can facilitate their request or comment, whether it’s a kudos to a helpful employee, a well designed site and checkout process, or even just to say how much they loved a specific product. Responding to 5-star reviews makes that customer or client feel heard, and it creates a ripple effect. People see that not only do you have great reviews but you acknowledge that, and that creates a wonderful customer experience.
Accurate Hours and Contact Information
There is truly nothing more frustrating than looking online for the operating hours of a business, only to arrive and find it closed when it specifically said it would be open. Avoid this negative customer reaction by always monitoring and updating your hours and contact info. Make sure to update your hours for federal or provincial holidays, as well as if you might be closing down for repairs, or for vacation. Simple but effective.
Effects of Local SEO On Your Small Business
Implementing these changes will dramatically improve the scope of your client base, your customer engagement via search engines, and most importantly it will keep your customers informed and engaged with your products, with a concrete idea of when they can visit, and easy to find glowing reviews from customers past and present. Those are really just some of the ways local SEO can bring your business to the next level!
We Handle Local SEO in Victoria
While we can break down the ins and outs of the basics, the real challenge is getting this all done while juggling the intricacies of running your business. Why not leave it to the professionals! Our team has a legacy of satisfied clients and a diverse, qualified team of people ready to take on your local SEO in Victoria and help you level up.
