Local SEO Tips to Get Your Small Business Noticed

It’s no secret that small businesses have a difficult time competing against well-established and better-funded companies. Still, a lot of SMBs actually manage to do just fine despite fierce competition. The main reason they are able to do so is that they’ve managed to conquer their local markets. 

Local customers are what every SMB needs. Small businesses, such as restaurants or convenience stores, rely on local customers to buy their products and services on a daily basis. But how do SMBs manage to win over local customers, in the first place? 

The simple answer is local SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Today, we live in a digital age where people use the internet to find what they are looking for. 

SMBs that are aware of this can take an advantage of this trend and ensure that local customers will find them first when they browse online for local products and services. With that in mind, here are a few local SEO tips to get your small businesses noticed. 

Optimize your GMB listing

Google My Business (GMB) is a must-have for getting your small business noticed, especially on the local market. Once you’ve created a GMB account, you have to optimize it so that your business will become more visible. 

That includes providing detailed business information, such as location, address, phone number, email, open hours and so on. But that’s not all. If you want GMB to really work in your favor, you’ll have to optimize it even further. Here are a few things you should consider. 

  • Update your business info regularly.
  • Share interesting photos and images.
  • Interact with consumers by replying to their feedback and reviews.
  • Use Google Insights to track your listing’s performance.
  • Leverage online ads to expand your presence.

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Claim other business listings

GMB, although very important, is not the only business listing you should focus on. If you want to get noticed in your local market, you’ll have to expand to other business directories as well. This will help your small business become more visible across search engines and maps. 

When claiming other business listings, you’ll have to make sure that all the business information you provide is the same as everywhere else. That said, here are a few other business listings you should explore.

  • Yelp
  • Facebook
  • Bing
  • Yellow Pages
  • Apple Maps
  • Foursquare
  • MapQuest

Boost your SEO rankings

Getting noticed the right way is of vital importance for your small business. That’s where local SEO can be of great assistance. However, you’ll have to make an effort to boost your rankings, so that you can benefit from SEO in the long run. 

The fact of the matter is that SEO requires careful planning and a lot of strategizing. If you don’t know how to boost your rankings, it’s better to seek aid from professionals. 

For example, if you operate in Brisbane and you’re aiming to get noticed on the local market, you should check out some of the best SEO services Brisbane has to offer. That way, you’ll work with a local agency that will help you conquer the local market. In any event, there are three main SEO strategies that will help you improve your rankings.

  • Technical SEO – Focuses on improving your website’s performance. A good example of a well-designed site is the Spurs Express blog.
  • On-page SEO – Helps you optimize your pages and content, as well as helps you with keyword implementation.
  • Off-page SEO – Focuses on creating exposure, credibility and awareness for your SMB through tactics, such as guest posting, content marketing and link building. 

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Leverage positive reviews

Positive reviews are essential for your local SEO efforts and for gaining the much-needed recognition in the local market. The more positive reviews you have, the more interest your audience will have in your business. 

That said, 91% of online consumers read online reviews either regularly or occasionally. Moreover, 84% of those consumers trust online reviews as much as they’d trust personal recommendations from their friends and family. 

Aside from providing exceptional service and experience, the best way to encourage your customers to leave positive reviews is through referral programs and incentives. Happy customers will be more willing to give your small business a well-deserved promotion.

 

Small businesses don’t have it easy when it comes to getting noticed in a highly competitive market. Nevertheless, a lot of SMBs manage to stay on top of their game and generate the majority of their revenue from local customers. The secret is local SEO and how effectively your small business leverages this great marketing strategy.