Search engine optimization (SEO) is vital for the success of any business. For small businesses, local SEO is even more critical. Simply put, local SEO is a strategy that can help a company or website rank higher in locally-focused internet searches.
When you search for any kind of business on most search engines, especially Google, your results include a map with only a few top listings called a map pack. You want to be in that map pack, and an effective local SEO strategy can help you get there.
Find Relevant Potential Customers Using Local SEO
By its nature, search engine optimization helps direct serious potential customers to your website or brick-and-mortar location. It organically matches their search terms to content on your website, which means that they're looking for the goods or services you provide. However, if you don't actively pursue a strategy for retail SEO, you'll miss those potential customers, and their search engines will direct them elsewhere.
In simple terms, local SEO helps connect your business with the people in your community who are seeking to spend money on what you offer. Even if you have the absolute best inventory, it won't matter if people can't find you. Local SEO is how they do that because, more often than not, customers search for retailers on their mobile devices, especially when they're out and about. Maps and other smartphone applications focus on a specific geographic area.
By boosting your local SEO, you improve the chances that search engines will direct potential customers to your business. This can help increase your foot traffic in particular, which can translate not only to more sales but also positive online reviews (which also help boost your SEO) and business from word-of-mouth.
Build Your Brand
The process of strengthening your search engine optimization will force you to refine and define your identity. You'll need to decide on your target audience and learn more about those consumers and how to please them. These days, customers want a personal experience in every transaction they undertake.
It might seem counterintuitive that narrowing your target market will translate to better sales, but you'll gain the loyalty and love of the customers you want most, and they'll come back to support you again and again.
Decide what you want your business to embody, and then start building your brand from there. A marketing company or strategist can help you through this process.
Increase Credibility with Customers Using Google Business Profiles
Another benefit to working on your local SEO is building credibility with returning and potential customers. How you rank in SERPs (search engine results page) matters to potential customers. Ranking higher in these searches tells them that you're reliable and have a solid reputation.
When potential customers decide where to give their business and spend money, they don't want to take too much time doing their research; instead, they rely on SERPs to do it for them. For that reason, local SEO helps you build trust.
One of the most important things you can do for trust is utilizing the tools on your Google Business Profile. Setting up your account lists your business and is the first step in establishing credibility. Google Business Profiles for retailers have many other fantastic, valuable tools.
Developing an effective and lucrative strategy for local retail SEO entails conducting market research, building a brand, creating relevant and savvy content, and more. If you're struggling to increase your presence and grow your business, it may be in your best interest to hire a marketing company.
Reach out today - Wordsmyth Creative Content Marketing agency is here to help with creative SEO solutions.