Local search engine optimization (SEO) is an integral part of running a small business on a local or regional level. It focuses on the search engine results pages (SERPs) of a specific location and relies on a brand’s marketing efforts for its products and services.

Optimizing local SEO means making your website more relevant in the local scene. It involves increasing traffic, leads, and conversions through your marketing strategy to reach more local customers. 

When you prioritize local SEO tactics, you can neutralize the obvious advantage that more prominent brands hold over results pages. These brands usually optimize using broader keywords and rely on brand recognition to bring in traffic. 

Optimize your local SEO using these three tactics:

1. Google My Business (GMB)

Creating a Google My Business (GMB) account is one of the most effective ways to improve your online visibility in Google local search results. Optimizing your Google listing or your Business Profile ensures that your business appears in local search results, Google Maps, and the Google Search Knowledge Panel. 

Meanwhile, optimizing your Google Business Profile gives the following advantages:

• It verifies your ownership of the business

• It provides accurate and updated information

• It provides details about your business, including products or services, operation hours, payment methods, and brand logo

• It encourages customers to write reviews to which you can respond

• You can publish posts like events and special offers

2. Content Based on Local Events

If you want to grab your customers’ attention, you can create content directly related to a local issue. For instance, you can make different pages for different locations if you are in the local real estate market. That way, you can feature hyperlocal content, including news events and updates in the local real estate market on each page. This tactic will also help you rank in your local scene. 

In addition, you can do these:

• Write blog posts around local news stories, events, and activities

• Post videos about local charities and causes your business supports

• Create location-specific webpages with high-quality local content

Local Keywords

To rank in local SERPs, your keywords should be relevant to your customers. Promoting a business in a local area involves using local keywords for online visibility. 

Google has a Keyword Planner where you can filter location-based keyword searches so you can look for the popular search terms in your area. That will help you create a list of locally relevant keywords you can put in your content. It’s also effective to mention region-specific landmarks and hotspots in your content. Insert the keywords you found into your website’s meta content, copy, and URLs for optimization.

Conclusion

Optimizing your local SEO is an effective way to reach your target audience and attract potential customers. You just need to remember that SEO changes as Google introduces new features to ranking in the SERPs. You should stay on top of local SEO optimization tips.

If you don’t have the time or the skills to optimize your SEO alone, you can ask for professional local SEO services. Calling Digital is a creative digital marketing and local SEO agency in Frisco, Texas. We use local search engine optimization, data aggregation, and website design to give our clients an advantage over competitors in the local scene. Get in touch with us and improve your online visibility!