The Must-Know Local SEO Basics for Businesses

In today’s digital age, service area businesses have a unique challenge and opportunity: providing services to customers within a specific geographic region without the luxury of a physical storefront. Your success largely depends on your online visibility and local search optimization. After all, nearly 46% of all Google searches have local intent, making Google the go-to destination for potential clients seeking services in your area.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the essential strategies and advanced tactics that businesses can employ for their small businesses. Like a checklist of what to do to get your local business showing up in search results. So keep reading for a short guide on how to make your service area business stand out in the local market.

Types of Local Businesses

Brick & Mortar Businesses

Most businesses that get foot traffic are consider brick & mortar businesses. Some examples of these types of businesses include Restaurants, Hotels, Gyms, and Dentist Offices. Any business that has a physical location that customers visit to purchase products or receive services is considered a brick & mortar local business.

Service Area Businesses

A service area business is a business that provides services to customers in a specific geographic area. If instead of having people come to you, you go to them, you are likely a service business. You do not have a physical storefront, but instead provide your services to customers at their homes or businesses.

Some examples of service area businesses include:

• Plumbers
• Electricians
• Gardeners
• Dog walkers
• Tutors

Other Types of Businesses

Perhaps your business doesn’t operate with a physical storefront or involve traveling to customers’ locations for services. In such cases, various other business models, such as eCommerce ventures, home-based businesses, and popup shops, often require the same level of localized support as service area businesses. They rely on reviews, localized content, and links just like service area businesses. And it’s worth noting that the recommendations we’re about to share are equally relevant and beneficial for these alternative business types.

Local Search Best Practices

The upcoming tips are universally handy for all types of local businesses. By “local business,” I simply mean that if your aim is to attract customers from a particular area, these tips are your golden ticket to success.

The Basics

For the time being, it’s crucial to zero in on these fundamental elements. They lay the groundwork for your success, and mastering them will set the stage for more advanced strategies. Consider these basics as the essential building blocks of your journey towards improved visibility and results. Once you’ve ticked off each item on this list, don’t hesitate to reach out – we’ll be ready to guide you through the more advanced tips that can take your business to the next level.

• Decide your primary local review sites. You can’t please everyone, so you got to please…Google. Prioritize your review sites based on where your customers already come from and expand as you can.
• Claim and verify your local listing. This is the most important factor for local SEO. Make sure your listing is accurate and complete, and that you have positive reviews.
• Optimize your local listing. Make sure to fully complete your listing, using the same Name, Address, Phone, and Website URL you use everywhere else and include your target keywords business descriptions, services, and products.
• Get reviews on all local review sites. Positive reviews are a great way, but all reviews have value. Use in-store signage and automated email marketing to encourage customers to leave reviews.
• Optimize your website for local search. This includes using relevant keywords throughout your website content, creating fresh content, and connecting to social media profiles.
• Build backlinks from local websites. Use your local networks and professional organizations. Backlinks are links from other websites to your website. They help Google see that your website is authoritative and relevant.
• Promote your business on local directories. Local directories are websites that list businesses in a particular area, like the back page of Craig’s List. Listing your business on relevant directories can help you improve your local SEO.

Advanced Tips

After you’ve successfully tackled the fundamentals, it’s time to wade into the deeper waters of more intricate local search strategies. The following tips are designed for businesses seeking to expand their local presence, both in the digital realm and on the ground. These advanced techniques can be a bit intricate, but rest assured, we’re here to provide expert support and guidance every step of the way.

• Run local PPC campaigns. Pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns can help you get your business to the top of the search results for specific keywords. Relevant, localized content is what gets that online conversion.
• Use schema markup on your website. Schema markup is code that helps Google understand the information on your website, which it then presents in its Featured Snippets like Reviews, Products, and Maps.
• Keep your website up-to-date. Google and its users like to see fresh content, so you’ll likely want to keep a blog to highlight your business and relevant topics on a regular cadence.
• Respond to reviews promptly. Engagement with reviews is an advanced part of the local search algorithm. Business owners should respond to all reviews to positively influence Google’s perception about your value of reputation management.

Local SEO Tips for Service Area Businesses

As a service-oriented business, your website serves as your digital persona and is essential for finding valuable word-of-mouth referrals you depend on. While the earlier steps lay a strong foundation for local visibility, let’s now delve into the advanced techniques tailored to service area businesses, allowing you to take your online presence to the next level and dominate your local turf.

• Use social media. Social media is the new word-of-mouth way to reach your customers. When you have relevant content that is supports your primary platforms, like Instagram or TikTok or Google Business, it’s easier to get more business quickly.
• Use location-based keywords on your website and listing description. When choosing which neighborhoods to mention, take a look at Google and Apple Maps and see which ones they highlight. If you need, make neighborhood landing pages to use localized language about the area.
• Create local content on your website. beyond your Contact Us Page and address in the footer. A blog is a great way to talk about your community involvement and highlight projects you’ve recently completed.
• Get involved in your community. Go beyond your neighborhood and look to your union, social media groups, and other professional connections. Hearing others’ success stories can lead to new ideas to grow your small business.