Having a strong online presence is crucial for small businesses. But, you won’t get very far unless your customers are finding you on their own. You need a strong local SEO checklist to get there.
To take things a step further, you can focus on local SEO in order to better establish your brand on the Internet. Not everyone knows how to go about it, though.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about what you should include on your local SEO checklist.
1. Incorporate Geo-Specific Keywords
As you may expect, local SEO involves driving traffic from people who are located near your business. It can be difficult to do so if you don’t focus on local keywords.
So, you’ll need to begin weaving your city, region, state, etc. into your chosen keywords. For example, a business that offers local embroidery services can focus on keywords like ‘Glendale embroidery’ as opposed to just ’embroidery services.’
Related Article: What is SEO? Search Engine Optimization
2. Google My Business
Google allows you to make what is essentially an ‘account’ for your business. You’ll be able to input info like your business address, phone number, email, etc.
Once you verify your business with Google, you’ll be able to make this information public.
This can help boost your rankings on Google’s search engine and also make it easier for people in your area to find you, making it an invaluable local SEO tool.
3. Mobile Formatting
Many people who look for companies in their area tend to do so on their phones. This is especially true for restaurants, bars, etc. as people may be driving or walking while they search.
So, your site needs to be mobile optimized if you want your audience to navigate through it.
When people immediately exit a page after visiting one, it increases a metric known as a ‘bounce rate.’ This tells Google that the quality of the content they saw was either poor or irrelevant.
Over time, a high bounce rate can negatively impact your SEO ranking. So, it’s essential that you thoroughly test how your site runs and loads on mobile.
4. Integrate Google Maps
The fewer steps people have to take to accomplish a task, the more likely they are to do so.
Adding Google Maps to your site’s contact page eliminates work that your audience has to do. Rather than copy and paste an address into a maps application, users will simply be able to click on the map and get directions to your business.
They’ll also be able to visualize where your business is located before they even take their first action.
Follow Our Local SEO Checklist for Success
With the above information about making a local SEO checklist in mind, you’ll be well on your way toward ensuring your brand’s presence online is as strong as possible.
Want to learn more about how we can help? Feel free to get in touch with us today to see what we can do.
