As more businesses continue to realize the high local ranking value, securing that top spot is getting much more difficult. Over the years, local SEO ranking features have also considerably evolved, not to mention that the local pack now only includes three businesses. While the competitiveness can frustrate the quest to rank highly, with specialized SEO companies, scaling a business to such heights is manageable.
SEO companies understand such changes, crucial information that enhances their efforts to improve local ranking. By utilizing dependable strategies such as reputation management, targeted local keywords and content generation, reliable backlinks, among other measures, the professionals can dramatically enhance a business’ local ranking, fast-tracking the quest to hit the first search engine results page.
A business might feel like enlisting top SEO companies is a waste of their money, especially if they have an in-house team. The in-house team could be useful, but they might not deliver the best local optimization with limited time and resources. Here is why businesses should spend that extra buck for better local ranking.
Enhanced visibility
Among the top local SEO ranking measures is a business citation. This includes listing a business name, address, and phone number, popularly known as NAP. Such information makes it easier for users to find a business. From directory listings like Yelp, social media profiles, and sites such as Google, citations enhance visibility, allowing a company to capture users searching for a particular product/service, and at the best moment.
Generate qualified leads
With better visibility, capturing qualified leads is more manageable, especially with local targeting. The moment a user actively searches a product/service, and a business captures their interest, they are only a step away from interacting, and possibly making a purchase. Generating such leads is among the top local SEO benefits since such users can easily be converted into active and loyal customers, including store walk-ins. Foot traffic can’t be ignored despite online platforms continuously becoming the norm, particularly noting that some businesses can’t operate without physical presence such as accommodation services. With optimized local SEO, companies can enjoy a balance that gives them an edge in the competitive market.
Understanding customers’ behavior
SEO strategy relies on analytics to facilitate the implementation of effective measures. With local SEO, businesses can learn more about their customers, especially with GMB (Google My Business Insights). The insights tell a business how the user found the online business, such as the phrases they searched that led them to the listing. Understanding the intent is a huge tell and a concept that a company can benefit from as they can tailor personalized strategies and optimize their site for better visibility, improved lead generation, and conversion rates.
Build trust
User reviews are continuously proving how vital reputation is in the modern online-oriented business world. Before making the final pick, a user has to browse through customer reviews. The reviews work like personal recommendations, meaning that a business with at least four stars stands a better chance to capture more qualified traffic. While investing in local SEO, the review section is among the essential parts. Accumulating numerous positive reviews gives a business an unmatched edge, consequently increasing qualified leads and sales.
Improved relevance and prominence
Quality content with a local focus eases a business’s efforts to connect with target users. With authoritative backlinks, the quest is even more productive, as an organization can quickly improve their relevance and prominence. Quality content and backlink won’t only improve a business’s visibility and reputation but also foster long-lasting relationships. The strategy improves a business’s prominence and sends the right relevance signals, attracting and maintaining a loyal following.
Business is where customers are
It is easy for a business to focus on improving their online presence and forget about their immediate environment. Local SEO addresses that gap, allowing a company to maintain a healthy touch even with users relying on the brick and mortar stores. Users research online before making the final decision to proceed and make a purchase, a concern that SEO addresses. With local SEO, business is where the customer is, as they can quickly reach out by email, visiting the website to make a reservation/shop, phone call, or pinning the address and visiting the store. Such convenience stresses the need to invest in optimized local SEO, a contribution that can dramatically increase sales.
Cost-effective
Compared to ads, local SEO is, by far, a cost-effective approach. Enlisting the best SEO companies won’t cost you as much as ads as you strive to keep them running for an extended period. Local SEO is sustainable in the long-run, requiring less financing while delivering a better return on investment (ROI).
Working on local ranking might not be on top of a business’ priorities while considering effective SEO measures. However, with its numerous benefits, it can’t be ignored. Here is the good news; it doesn’t have to be a draining endeavor, especially with the readily available professional services from agencies specializing in digital marketing.
About the Author:
Alan Muther is the Senior SEO & Demand Generation Manager of SEOBlog.com, which is one of the top seo companies right now. Alan has 10+ years of experience in developing and executing complex, data-driven digital marketing strategies. He’s had the opportunity to help both Fortune 500 companies and SMBs increase their online presence and boost revenue. During his free time, Alan enjoys spending time with his family, staying active, and volunteering.