Staying Local: Here Are 7 Local SEO Tips to Help You Beat out the Competition

18 Apr ‘19

In: Search Engine Optimization (SEO), / By: Ripe Media

Got a website? Great! You’re in company with 1.5 billion sites on the World Wide Web!

With that said, how well does your website stack up? We all know that SEO is king when it comes to dominating your competition, converting leads, and supercharging your business’s success.

However, SEO isn’t enough. To drive targeted traffic, you need to focus on attracting your local demographics. Let’s get into the top local SEO tips all website owners need to know!

1. Master Google My Business

Claiming your business listing via Google is free. If you haven’t done it already, do it now. You need to plug in your name, address, phone number, and your business hours.

Update your business category. You can currently list as many categories as you want, but make sure that you are focusing on both your niche and your demographic.

Add in your website URL. Doing so will help you track your traffic, and it can also allow you to link a CTA for booking appointments or contacting your business.

Make sure that you create a thorough business description that describes your company in an enticing manner. Think about your target demographic here. What kinds of problems do your customers face? How does your business help solve those problems?

Finally, you should also add relevant videos and photos. Show off your business! The more personalized you make your company, the more it’s going to intrigue potential customers.

2. Optimize Titles and Description Meta Tags

Your title is the first line of text customers see. Every word needs to count, as this is the first chance you have to draw people in!

The description meta tag builds upon the title and reinforces what your business has to offer. If you’re feeling stuck on your wording, consider the following question: what can I say that will compel someone to click this link?

Although it may seem tedious, every page should have a unique title and description tags tailored to that page. This strategy boosts your local SEO and should boost traffic to your site.

3. Aim To Get Listed on Online Directories

Nobody turns to the Yellow Pages for local businesses anymore. Instead, they turn to their smartphones for a quick Google search.

That’s why it’s essential to make sure that your company is on as many relevant directories as possible. The most important takeaway? Double-check that your name, address, and phone number are accurate and consistent across all directories.

4. Obtain Customer Reviews

A whopping 91% of people check online reviews. What’s more? Nearly 70% of people create a formulated opinion after reading 1-6 online reviews.

That said, consumer opinions matter. Unfortunately, if you don’t have them, many people won’t trust your business’s reputability.

Research also shows that many people will leave reviews when asked. It’s up to you to make this process as accessible and feasible for your customers.

For example, after purchasing a product and service, a simple email requesting a review can get the job done. You should also always make sure to thank your customers afterward!

If the review is negative, it’s up to you to remedy the situation quickly and professionally. Reach out to the customer and offer practical solutions for change. Always maintain a friendly and cordial stance when interacting- even if the customer becomes volatile.

5. Acquire Backlinks

We can’t talk about having a solid SEO strategy without having a discussion about the significance of backlinks. Like them or not, they are an essential ingredient to any SEO success.

The best link-building happens organically. This means producing excellent content and building dynamic relationships in the community. While this strategy may be more of a ‘slower’ process, it’s the most authentic one.

You can also reach out to local businesses or organizations affiliated with your business. For example, have you taken part in any recent charitable events? See if these organizers are willing to provide a link to your site on theirs.

Finally, don’t overlook the power of guest-posting! This is an excellent opportunity to increase your exposure and get a backlink.

6. Stay Active on Social Media

Social media is one of the most effective (and cheapest) ways to boost your local SEO. It’s also one of the easiest ways to improve your reputation and engage with your customers.

Google also rewards you for social media behavior. The search engine king crawls and culls search results from your social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

While SEO trends continue to change, social media appears to be a fixed player in the game. Take advantage of these platforms as best you can.

7. Scan (And Beat) The Competition

It’s the oldest trick in business, but it still works. One of the best ways to get ahead of the competition is to check out what they are doing and then do it better.

Find the weak spots in your competition. For example, maybe they have a killer website and plenty of reviews, but they don’t have a blog. Time for you to start posting articles targeting local and relevant keywords!

Final Thoughts On Local SEO Tips

By taking advantage of these local SEO tips, you can gain a competitive edge over your competition. You can also improve your traffic and increase your sales and conversions! It’s a win-win.

Need a little professional help boosting your website? At Ripe Media, we cover everything from branding to SEO to optimized web experiences.

Contact us today, and we’ll be in touch with you shortly!

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