To rank your website higher in local search, you need to to keep up the pace with Google as it keeps updating its algorithm. The following tips will help you to stay up-to-date and improve your rankings in local search.
1.) Do extensive keyword research.
Do a comprehensive research on the keywords that your prospects use and optimize your site accordingly. You can use Google’s Keyword Planner to help you get started. Simply “winging it” on what you “think” your clients are using for search is not enough. Put some time into parlaying the list of keywords you “think” people searching for your services or goods are using into a list of keywords they are really using to find you and your competitors online.
2.) Regularly update your business listings and use precise NAP information.
Be sure to keep a constant check on how your business is listed online with various directories, especially Google My Business. Make sure you are using the precise Name, Address and Phone Number (NAP) of your business across all directories, so they are all consistent. Don’t use 123 Main Street on one listing and 123 Main St. on a different one. The information should be the same on all directory listings. If you are using abbreviations, make sure your abbreviations are acceptable by Google.
3.) Get some client or customer reviews online.
Having a review section on your website is a must, and you need to ensure that you have the maximum number of positive and genuine reviews that you can. Creating a system for monitoring reviews is beneficial as well, so you can quickly address reviews that may be less than favorable and turn them around into positives.
4.) Be sure to have a mobile-friendly website for your business.
Having a mobile-friendly website is an absolute must because a lot of people are using mobile devices to search for companies online these days. If your site is not optimized for a mobile screen it will take longer to load and will be an inconvenience for your users, causing them to quickly exit your site and move on to another one instead.
5.) Make sure you are putting out high-quality content on a regular basis.
Content for the sake of content is no longer king; however high-quality content is king. People start their purchase journey with research, and if you provide them with the information they are looking for, they will prefer you over your competitors to do business. Avoid scraping content from other sources and using it as your own, as it will do more harm than good. Come up with unique content for your website visitors to read and keep them coming back for more just like it in the future.
6.) Use relevant title tags on your pages.
Title tags are one of the most important factors in search results. Use title and subtitles that you think can be easily linked to clients’ search queries. Remember, your title tags and tag lines should be descriptive. I recently had a client who was using one word for their title tags on blog posts. Doing this isn’t good! Take the time to come up with titles that include great sets of keywords and phrases that you have come up with from your keyword research above.
7.) Create location specific pages.
Make it easy for customers to find your business. If you have a multi-location business, create a separate page for each location rather than cramming all the information on one page. But don’t forget to interlink the pages to ensure proper navigation and make sure you aren’t just copying the content for each location word for word and changing out only the location itself. Google will often read this as “duplicate content,” which is a no-no for your SEO.
We recently did just this with content specific pages for one of our multi-locations clients and watched their position in search results for location specificity move up considerably by doing so.
Following the tips mentioned above will help you up your SEO game. However, to get the best results in search, you will have to regularly update yourself on the latest Google search requirements and trends.
SEO is not a one-time task; it’s an ongoing process. In case you need any help, feel free to contact us. Our experts will guide you to the best of their knowledge.
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