Local SEO refers to the practice of optimising a business's online presence to improve its visibility in local search results. It involves strategies like optimising Google My Business, targeting location-specific keywords, building local citations, and generating positive customer reviews.
Google My Business (GMB) is a crucial element of local SEO. It provides essential information about your business to Google and local users, including your business name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and customer reviews. A well-optimised Google Business Profile listing can improve your local search rankings and make it easier for customers to find and engage with your business.
Local citations are online mentions of your business' name, address, and phone number (NAP) on various websites, directories, and platforms. Consistent and accurate citations signal to search engines that your business is legitimate and relevant to the local area, boosting your local search visibility.
Improving local search rankings involves a combination of strategies. These include optimising your website for local keywords, creating localised content, building high-quality backlinks from local sources, managing your online reviews and ratings, and ensuring your GMB profile is complete and up-to-date.
Online reviews are an essential component of local SEO. Positive reviews not only influence potential customers' decisions but also impact your search rankings. Encouraging satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Clutch, Yelp, and industry-specific directories can enhance your online reputation and credibility.