How Does Local SEO Work?

Local SEO is a term that can be confusing for people who are new to the digital marketing world. It sounds like it only has something to do with "local" businesses, but in reality, it also includes franchises and large corporations that have locations all over the country. This article will talk about how local SEO works, what you need to know about it, and why you might want to try it out on your own business!

How Does Local SEO Work?

Optimization of Google My Business

Google has a program called "My Business" that allows businesses to list their locations, information about the business (such as hours and phone number), what services they provide, etc. This is extremely important for local SEO because search engines like Google want to give people accurate results based on where they are searching from! If you optimize your Google My Business page, then it can increase the chances that people searching for a business like yours near them will see you in their search results.

Optimization of Local Listings

If you have a Yelp or Foursquare account for your business, then it is important to make sure that these are also optimized correctly. If they aren't, then the chances decrease significantly that people searching in your area will be able to find you through those platforms as well! These listings can even help your Google My Business page, so it's important to have them all in order.

Optimization of Non-Google, Local Listings

Keep an eye on local listings that aren't as popular as sites like Google or Yelp. Some examples would be Bing Places for Business and Apple Maps (although the latter won't help your SEO much). These are still worth optimizing though because you never know when search engines might start using them.

Optimization of Social Media

Social media can be an extremely helpful tool for local SEO. The more active you are on your Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc., the higher chance that people will see your name come up when they are looking at businesses to patronize in their area! Make sure to take advantage of this opportunity by frequently posting on your social media pages, getting reviews on them (which can be beneficial to SEO), and posting pictures of yourself or events that are happening at your business.

Optimization of Videos

Videos can be a great way to improve your local SEO. If you have the resources, it might even make sense to produce an entire video marketing campaign for your business! These videos should talk about what makes you unique and different from other businesses in the area (even if they are somewhat similar). Make sure not to produce videos that are too long, as YouTube tends to give higher rankings for shorter videos.

The reason you should try local SEO on your own business (if you haven't already) is because it can make a huge difference in the number of people who come through your doors! It's also easy and doesn't cost much money. If you need help with local SEO or any other type of digital marketing for your business, contact us today at LevelUP Digital Solutions!

To learn more about how LevelUP Digital Solutions can help you grow your business through happy customers, contact us today at 401-298-9361. Our automated feedback collection, management, and syndication platform makes you the authority for your reputation and turns your customers into your best marketers.