Simply put, the term local SEO refers to the use of search engine optimization on your website to produce local results.
This is similar to organic SEO because the search results are not paid, as in Google ads.
But if you specifically want to target a particular area, it’s critical to have local SEO in place on your website.
Let’s talk about local SEO in more detail and we’ll also cover why we recommended implementing this strategy is important as you begin the new year.
Why Does Local SEO Matter?
Google’s job is to deliver the best possible answers for every user’s search. If the algorithms detect the searcher’s intent is local, it will produce local results.
Most of us have used local searches before. Here are some examples:
Mexican restaurants near me
Shopping malls in upstate new york
Doctors in Syracuse
According to Search Engine Journal, here’s why local SEO matters:
76% of people searching locally on their phones will visit a business in the next day or so.
28% of those searches result in purchases.
30% of Google’s searches are locally related.
61% of customers admit to conducting local searches every single day.
In short, local SEO matters because it’s how people are searching.
And you want to be where your potential customers are.
Which Businesses Should Implement Local SEO?
There are a few different scenarios in which local SEO could be a critical factor in growing your customer base.
Scenario 1: Your Business has a “Brick and Mortar” Location
If you depend on local customers, local SEO is a no-brainer for you.
It’s vital to tell Google where you’re located and where your customers are located. Without a location specified on your site, it won’t be ranking for any local searches at all.
For example, let’s say you own a bakery in Buffalo, New York. You’d definitely want your website to indicate that you’re in Buffalo.
But you could also add information about nearby cities, such as West Seneca and Cheektowaga to your site using keyword terms like bakeries near West Seneca.
This strategy expands your reach and it could help you increase the number of website visits you receive each month.
Scenario 2: You Want to Serve a Broader Area
We see this one all the time, and we’ve had a lot of success helping clients reach out to areas of the U.S. that are far away from their actual locations.
Addiction treatment programs are a great example of this type of local SEO.
Many rehab centers accept patients from all over the country. Take a look at one of our clients, Peace Valley Recovery, which is located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
This facility has several location pages on its site for areas outside Doylestown. You can find pages for cities in New York and New Jersey as well as various cities in Pennsylvania.
Because the program serves people in those cities, and because the SEO on the site is top-notch, Peace Valley gets a lot of interest from people who live elsewhere.
But without local SEO, this site would be limited to people who live nearby as far as search engine results go.
Could Local SEO Help Your Business?
Most businesses can benefit from implementing a local SEO strategy. If this is something you’ve never considered before, but it’s intriguing to you, contact us!
We’re happy to answer any questions you may have and help you get started.
At Colwell Creative Content, Inc., our goal is your success. Get in touch with us today and Let’s Grow Your Business Together!