If you’re a local business trying to get found online, it’s time to get serious about local search engine optimization (SEO).
Local SEO is critical for driving new customers, leads and sales. But with 77% of local searches now ending in purchases, the competition is fierce.
You’ve got to optimize the heck out of your local presence if you want to slay competitors and become the Khaleesi of local search rankings.
This epic guide will give you the insider tips and tricks to take your local SEO to the next level.
By the end, you’ll be ready to make your small business the Mother of Dragons in your area!
Why Should Small Businesses Care About Local SEO?
There are 3 key reasons local SEO needs to be your top marketing priority:
1. More Customers Walking Through Your Door
According to Moz, 72% of consumers searching locally on their smartphones visit the store within 5 miles.
So ranking in those critical local map and pack results translates directly into Legolas-level accuracy in getting nearby customers into your physical location. Cha-ching!
2. Beat Your Competition
Local SEO lets small businesses like yours compete head-to-head against the Saurons and Voldemorts of big retail chains and national brands.
And the best part? Local SEO is essentially free once you learn a few tricks from Gandalf the Grey (well, minus the sweet beard).
So if you want your small business to rule them all, local SEO is the ticket.
3. Increased Website Traffic
Ranking higher for local searches will bring a tsunami of web traffic from new potential customers.
According to Search Engine Land that over half of all searches have local intent. If you can siphon off even a tiny fraction of that demand, it’ll make your traffic explode like the Mount Vesuvius eruption that destroyed Pompeii.
Decoding How Google Ranks Local Businesses
In order to win the SEO Triwizard Tournament, you need to understand exactly how Google determines who ranks where locally.
Here are the key local SERP features you need to master:
The Coveted Local Pack
For searches like “best brunch denver”, Google displays a Top 3 local pack at the top of results. This is prime real estate for visibility and clicks.
Local pack
Google primarily considers proximity, relevance, and local signals like reviews to decide who ranks here.
The Lesser Local Finder
Below the pack are more local results under “More Places”. Ranking here earns you solid traffic, so optimizing to place here as a fallback is smart.
More places
Same ranking factors apply, but overall online visibility and local relevance become more important.
Maps, The Final Frontier
For mobile and location-heavy searches, Google displays a map interface. You’ll need to pin down ranking in one of the top map pack spots for visibility.
Map pack
The map pack incorporates additional local signals like ratings, photos, and attributes.
Paid Ads
At the top and bottom of results, Google squeezes in paid local ad packs. Organic rankings are ideal long-term, but ads let you Start Your Engines fast.
Now that you know the Arena of Death you’re fighting in, here are 10 local SEO tips to destroy competitors.
10 Local SEO Tips for Small Business Domination
Follow these expert steps for total local SEO domination:
1. Conquer Google My Business
Google My Business is the One Ring that rules them all for local SEO. Fully complete your listing with accurate info and photos of Gandalf-level quality.
Reviews are Precious, so generate them and respond faster than Bilbo grabbing the ring from Gollum. Verify your listing and keep all business info updated.
2. Build Local Links
Secure powerful backlinks like acquiring the Infinity Stones. Get directory listings and local citations linking back to you. Reach out to niche sites, newspapers, local organizations for links.
3. Leverage Location, Location, Location
Use your complete business address and geo-modifiers in content whenever relevant. Being physically closer to searchers gives you an SEO advantage over competitors.
4. Weaponize Reviews
Reviews are the Valyrian steel that can cut down local competition. Get swooning reviews on Google, Facebook and Yelp. Remind happy customers like a Jedi mind trick.
5. Research Local Keywords Like A Boss
Conduct competitor research and local keyword analysis using SEMrush. Find low competition keywords locals use that you can target and rank for.
6. Create Location-Specific Content
Publish blog and landing page content optimized for your geographic audience. Mention neighborhoods, streets, landmarks and local details.
7. Be Consistent With Your NAP
List your complete business name, address, and phone number consistently across directories, citations and sites. Lock it down tighter than Cersei guarding the Red Keep.
8. Build Street Cred
Get media coverage, attend local events, sponsor local causes to boost your local visibility. Be more locally beloved than Captain America defending Queens.
9. Implement Schema Markup
Add schema like LocalBusiness, Google Sitelinks, and other structured data to provide clear local signals. Make it easy for Google like Friday solving complex equations.
10. Track the Key Local SEO Metrics
Monitor rankings, organic traffic, phone calls, GMB actions, and offline conversions to understand your local impact. Analyze the data like Jigsaw piecing together his twisted puzzles.
Follow these tips, and you’ll be the Dumbledore of local SEO in no time!
Go Beyond the Basics with Advanced Tactics
Once you’ve mastered local SEO 101, consider taking it to gradudate level with these more advanced tactics:
- Local PPC Ads – Complement SEO with targeted local Google and Facebook ads.
- Local Business Listings – Build niche citation profiles on relevant industry and local sites.
- Local SEO Audit – Run comprehensive audits using professional tools to identify issues.
- Google Posts & Q&A – Engage customers directly by responding to their questions and feedback.
- Google Virtual Tour – Offer a 360 interior view on Google My Business.
- Image SEO – Optimize photos with descriptive names, text, and alt attributes.
- Google Attributes – Add amenities, products, services, menus and other info to your listing.
- Local Link Building – Outreach locally for backlinks from related sites.
Take local SEO to the next level with these more advanced strategies once you’ve gotten the basics down pat.
Beware These Common Local SEO Mistakes!
While pursuing local SEO, sidestep these critical mistakes to avoid a miserable death like Oberyn Martell:
Wrong Address
Using a non-physical address to appear closer to customers can get your listing forever banned by Google. Stick to your real, complete address.
Duplicate GMB Listings
Having multiple listings for your business dilutes your local authority. Merge and maintain one single accurate listing.
Ignoring Reviews
Responding professionally to customers builds trust and reputation. Don’t ignore reviews like Jon Snow charging headfirst into battle.
Inconsistent NAP
Mismatching names, addresses and phone numbers across sites confuses Google. Keep the details flawlessly consistent like Tyrion’s wit.
Only on Google
Expand your visibility across other platforms like Facebook, Yelp, and Bing for maximum local domination.
Not Monitoring Results
Regularly check rankings, clicks, calls and offline conversions to understand the business impact of optimizations. Analyze the data like Otto Octavius’s artificial intelligence.
Avoid these mistakes and your local SEO strategy will conquer the competition better than the Avengers squashing Ultron.
Tools to Reinforce Your Local SEO Quest
These are the best tools for optimizing and tracking local SEO:
- Moz Local – All-in-one local listing management and intelligence.
- Google Business Profile – Critical free tool for optimizing and monitoring your GMB listing.
- BrightLocal – Comprehensive local citation audit and monitoring.
- Whitespark – Leading local citation building tool.
- Synup – Automates citation management.
- BrightEdge – Enterprise SEO platform with robust local search analytics.
- Majestic – Backlink analysis includes location-based data.
- SEMrush – Keyword research, tracking rankings, and identifying local SEO opportunities.
- Google Analytics – Provides website traffic insights by location and local keywords.
- Google Search Console – Track local organic ranking positions.
With the right tools, you’ll analyze and optimize local SEO faster than Neo mastering the Matrix.
Master These Local SEO Fundamentals to Win
Here are the key takeaways for small business local SEO success:
- Optimize and manage Google My Business meticulously.
- Target proximity-based keywords and optimize for searcher location.
- Produce locally-focused, relevant content.
- Generate reviews, local links and other local signals.
- Fix technical problems hurting you locally.
- Research competitors and find strategic gaps.
- Regularly analyze local SEO KPIs for business impact.
Now you’ve got the wisdom of Yoda for dominating local SEO! Use this guide as your lightsaber to slay competitors and bring customers flooding into your small business.
May the search traffic be with you!
FAQs About Local SEO for Small Businesses
Q: What’s the cost for DIY small biz local SEO?
A: Expect around $500-$1000/month for tools, services and staff time. But track revenue growth to calculate true ROI.
Q: How long does local SEO take to see results?
A: Gradual improvements start in 3-6 months typically. Reaching page 1 for tough keywords can take 6-12+ months.
Q: What’s most important for ranking locally?
A: Google weighs proximity, relevance and authoritative local signals like positive reviews the highest.
Q: Should I hire an agency or do it in-house?
A: Most small businesses benefit long-term by hiring a qualified local SEO agency to handle it.
Q: How do I track and measure local SEO results?
A: Use call tracking, UTM parameters, Google Analytics goals, and other methods to measure website traffic, phone calls, in-store visits and revenue attributed to local SEO.
Rank Higher Locally and Connect with Local Customers through AH Digital’s SEO Services
At AH Digital, we specialize in providing expert local SEO services to help brick-and-mortar businesses improve their local search rankings and drive in-store traffic. Our team of experienced local SEO experts work closely with clients to understand their business location, industry, and website goals. We then tailor our local SEO strategies to meet those specific needs.
Whether you need foundational on-page optimization, Google My Business optimization, hyperlocal content, or link building through localized citations – our specialists have the skills to optimize your local SEO. We dig into local ranking factors, geo-targeted keywords, and more to develop customized local SEO plans designed to get you ranking higher in Google Maps and local search.
Don’t leave your local search visibility to chance. Contact us today to learn more about our proven local SEO services and how we can help you attract more foot traffic by standing out in searches near your physical location.
Schedule a free consultation with our experts and let us guide you in leveraging SEO to connect with local customers and grow your in-store sales.
