10 Ways Your Business Can Benefit From Local SEO

Standing out online is becoming more of a challenge. There are nearly two billion websites on the internet. But local SEO has proven to be a powerful tool for businesses looking to grow. 

Most people will first hear about your business through a web search. And research has found that 88 percent of customers involved in mobile local searches contact a company within 24 hours. Moreover, 78 percent of local mobile searches result in a purchase. Google has found that the number of searches for local businesses has increased over 2000 times year over year. 

The pandemic saw many consumers turn to online shopping in large numbers. However, supply chain disruptions have people looking for local businesses to supply their needs. Fifty-seven percent of buyers report seeking local companies since the onset of the pandemic. Before COVID, the number of customers looking for local businesses was just 34 percent. 

So local is in. Here’s how you can make the most of local SEO for your business. 

What is local SEO?

Search Engine Optimization or SEO is a technique used to help boost the rank of businesses and websites online. Local SEO takes this strategy further and helps searchers find companies nearby. While adding geographic information to your search engine listing is one way to boost your local SEO, there is more to it. 

Google Business Profile

Google’s search engine handles over 3.5 billion searches a day. There is a lot of potential for your business to attract some of that attention. One of the best ways to boost your ranking is to create a Google Business Profile page. This allows you to build a local profile and provide customers with details about your products and services. It also enables customers to contact you directly. 

Ways your business can benefit from local SEO

Investing in local SEO efforts is essential if you’re looking to grow your business and want to build your customer base. Here are 10 ways that your business will benefit by employing local SEO techniques. 

1. More traffic to your website

It’s nice to have a website, but if your site is not being seen by customers who are in a position to make a purchase, it’s a waste of your time and energy. Enabling your business to be found in local searches easier will increase web traffic to your site. Local SEO provides all the information that people nearby will need to contact you and make a purchase. 

2. High-quality leads

Local SEO will not only bring more people to your site, but it will attract those who are primed to make a purchase. People who are nearby are more likely to stop in and be genuinely interested in what you have to offer. 

3. Brand boost

The more people see your name and start to understand your brand, the stronger your sales will be. It comes down to familiarity. Customers want to buy from brands they connect with and respect. With local SEO, you can help them know you better through links to your website and even content like blogs or videos. Awareness of your business can lead to brand recognition, cultivating familiarity and trust. In short, local SEO can put your brand in front of consumers regularly and help them come to know you and your brand better. 

4. Competitive advantage

Local SEO will enable your business to compete better in the marketplace, including against larger companies. The web has leveled the playing field between small businesses and larger corporations. Both need to engage the same local SEO tools to stay relevant in customers’ minds. Moreover, if you’re company is able to rank higher than your competitors, customers will see your business first. And this familiarity will boost your brand and give you an even better competitive advantage. 

5. Cost-effective

There are many different components in a digital marketing strategy. Local SEO is one of the simplest and most cost-effective tools you can employ. It will put you higher in search engine rankings without a significant financial investment. 

6. Put you on the map

Google’s integrated products mean that people using Google Maps will be able to see your business if you use the right local SEO technique. That means customers don’t have to be conducting a search to locate your business. Instead, Google Maps becomes another channel you can use to attract customers to your location. 

7. Partnerships

Another benefit to local SEO is the ability to build connections and partnerships with other local businesses. This can lead to cross-promotion opportunities where you and the other company can support each other. It can also mean they will refer customers your way. Having these types of connections mean that you’ll be able to reach more potential customers shopping nearby. 

8. Build Community

Buying locally helps to build a community in your hometown. Through local SEO, your neighbors will be able to find you and connect with your values and brand. You can also build a community for your customers where they can expand their connections. In this way, you’ll earn a reputation as a connector of community and people. 

9. Repeat customers

Once people know where you are and have experienced great customer service, they’re more likely to visit you again in the future. Local SEO puts you on the radar of customers who live nearby. It becomes more convenient for them to shop with you because you are close by. Some customers may even request that you order items so they can provide you with more business rather than making an online purchase with another retailer. 

10. More reviews

Local SEO can also lead to more business reviews, further boosting your brand. These customer reviews are valuable tools that create confidence in other customers. It can also help you connect with customers by responding to reviews. 

If you’re ready to take your business to the next level with local SEO, contact Roundhouse today!