Local search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the most effective ways to market your business.
People always use smartphones, virtual assistants, and voice searches to look for restaurants, shops, tourist attractions, and other businesses nearby. However, 58% of businesses don’t optimize for local internet searches. Local SEO involves managing your online listings to allow maps, search engines, voice assistants, and AI search engines to find you online and guide people to your business.
Stand out among your competition by following these local SEO best practices to get more eyes on your business and more feet through your door.
Key Components of Local SEO in 2024
The first step on your path to local SEO success lies with your Google Business Profile.
Claim and Verify Your Google Business Profile
If you haven’t claimed your Google My Business Profile, create a free account. Enter your name, address, phone number, hours, and website.
Once you’ve completed your profile, click “verify” and choose a verification method. Follow the steps and wait a few weeks for your profile to update. Claiming and verifying your business means nobody else can edit the information.
Add Photos and Information
Now that you’re officially on Google Business, you can optimize your profile and website for better local visibility. Add appealing, high-quality photos that showcase your merchandise in the best way.
Think about how it feels to see a photo of an ice-cold lemonade on a hot day. When you add these photos to your Google Business Profile, they pop up when people seek you out online.
Encourage and Respond to Reviews
A verified Google Business Profile also lets people review you. Respond to your reviews to make them work harder. Nearly 9 in 10 shoppers are willing to give a poorly reviewed business a chance if it responds to the review and addresses the problem.
When you are responding to negative reviews, don’t be defensive. Be professional and address how you are solving the issue.
Emerging Trends in Local SEO
As Google’s algorithm evolves, so does local SEO. These trends will likely drive SEO best practices over the next few years.
Conversational Content
Voice-powered internet searches are one of the biggest trends impacting how people search online. Whether they’re asking Alexa to recommend the best local Chinese restaurant for takeout or soliciting Siri to find the nearest gas station, people are increasingly searching the web with full sentences.
To pop up in these searches, adapt your content for conversational queries. Add keywords into your content that people would use when talking to an AI-powered assistant.
For example, if you want to pop up when someone’s looking for the best nail salon near me, you could add local awards to your website. Adding a photo of the award and a caption stating “named one of XYZ magazine’s best nail salons in Austin” makes you more visible to voice searches.
Long-Tail Keywords
This trend toward more conversational content also favors the use of long-tail keywords.
If you operate a small restaurant in South Congress, for instance, write a blog post about “what to do in South Congress” and tell readers what you like about the neighborhood. Encourage them to come visit after they’ve explored the neighborhood and incorporate three-to-five-word phrases people would use to find you through a voice search.
Tools and Technologies for Local SEO in 2024
Thankfully, you don’t have to guess whether or not your local SEO strategy works with these tools.
Local SEO Analytics Platforms
Take advantage of platforms that analyze your website and other internet data to show you how you rank in local searches. You can see your average rating, your average Google position, and locations in which you are highly visible. Use the data to change your local SEO strategy and monitor your metrics.
AI-Driven SEO Tools
AI tools can go beyond traditional metrics and deep dive into your data. Along with your search rankings, common search terms people use to find you, and user behavior, AI tools can show you your page speed, provide backlink assessments, and offer insights into your SEO strategy. By showing your strengths and weaknesses, your brand can make more effective, data-driven decisions.
Location-Based Social Media Marketing Tools
Enhance your social media strategy with location-based marketing tools that help you reach people in your area.
Targeting people by region or zip code on paid social posts helps you cast a smaller net to people in your area. Location-based marketing tools such as Google Trends tell you what is trending in your city so you can create related content.
Local SEO Audit and Monitoring Tools
Auditing tools run a full assessment of your website and internet presence to give you a clear picture of your local SEO. These platforms assess your analytics and other factors contributing to your ranking, such as user experience and mobile responsiveness.
Improve Your Local SEO With Motoza
Getting the most out of your online presence requires working with proven local SEO experts.
Schedule a consultation and learn what Motoza can do to boost your local presence online.
