If you haven’t put any energy into boosting your local SEO, odds are you’re missing out on loads of dream clients – right in your area! So let’s dive into what you can do – quickly & easily – to get found on Google and boost your local SEO!
Why You Should Boost Your Local SEO
Not sure that local SEO matters? Consider these stats:
- For every search query, nearly 50% of results you see are pulled relevant to proximity to the IP address of the searcher
- 76% of consumers who search for “near me” will visit a business within 24 hours!
- 88% of searches for a local biz that are conducted on a mobile device result in either a phone call or visit within 24 hours
We also know that Google Business Profile is the MOST IMPORTANT factor that influences your local SEO and helps connect you with dream clients who are looking for your service or product – right in your area.
Google Business Profile – Set One Up!
So first things first – if you don’t have a Google Business Profile – set one up! It is completely free! And it’s a great place for sharing information about what you do, who you serve, for sharing photos, and for collecting reviews. This local profile is incredibly important for helping building your credibility and trust with potential new customers or clients.
Note: When signing up – make sure you are logged into the google account associated with your business that you want linked to your GBP!
Follow these instructions to set up your free account right here!
Make Sure Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is Complete.
You’ll want to make sure you complete as much information as you can when setting up your GBP. Follows these tips to make sure your profile is working to your advantage!
- Don’t skimp on the description. You get 750 characters to describe what you do – make sure you use all of them!
- Bonus tip: organically use your researched keywords throughout the description. Be sure you are always writing for humans first (search engines second)
- Uploads photos and add your business’ logo
- Try to add in new photos on a quarterly basis
- Input information about your business hours of operation
- Don’t be open 24 hours or have no hours listed.
- Give customers an idea of you are most likely to be open – even if have a somewhat non-traditional schedule.
- Ask for reviews, but be neutral in your language when collecting reviews.
- It’s against the guidelines to ask specifically for positive reviews – or to only ask for reviews from clients/customers you know will leave a good one.
- 75% of consumers report reading online reviews when researching local businesses
- Respond to reviews – regardless of whether they’re good or bad. Whether you’re saying thank you, writing a thoughtful response to a less than ideal review, or anything else – you should always respond to reviews (ideally shortly after receiving them!)
- Add updates! Just like you would on social media – you can add posts (updates) about upcoming events, special offers, seasonal deals or sales, new services, etc.
- Make sure that your profile is up to date! Double check that the link to your website, your phone number, and other actionable information are all accurate and easy to find
- Add your social links to profiles like instagram, pinterest, etc.
- Audit your profile on an annual basis to make sure it is compliant with Google’s guidelines. This step may seem tedious – but it’s an important one, so make sure you don’t skip over it.
More Tips on How to Boost Local SEO (& General SEO!)
You can check out other SEO-related blog posts here.
Learn all about link-building on your website to boost SEO in this blog post.
Use ubersuggest for conducting keyword research!
Listen to me talk all about SEO on episode 49 of the Event Crushed Podcast
Read a variety of SEO tips from myself and 13 others in this article, 14 Crucial SEO Insights
Feeling ready to really up your SEO game? You can purchase my No-Nonsense Guide to SEO Essentials now! This 32 page PDF includes step-by-step instructions & video tutorials to guide you through every essential step for understanding & tackling your website’s SEO with confidence. Or submit an inquiry to have me create a custom SEO services package for you!
