The search engine optimization (SEO) industry is highly volatile and for your business to stay ahead, you have to stay up-to date with the latest technologies. While the internet was heralded as the death of brick and mortar business, things have now turned full circle. Local businesses are now leveraging local SEO to boost foot traffic to their websites and stay afloat. If you own a local business, there is no reason not to embrace online marketing and compete with major online brands.
Local SEO in Numbers
They say numbers don’t lie and if this is the case, then local SEO is the way to go for any local company. A Google research shows that local searches lead 50% of mobile users to visit a store within one day. The same study published by Search Engine Journal also shows that more than 60% of consumers today have used local information in ads. 18% of local mobile searches lead to a sale within one day according to Business 2 Community. In addition, a similar study published by HubSpot says that 60% of American adults use mobile devices to search for local products.
These numbers highlight the impact of local search in internet marketing. If you are a local business and you have not yet started leveraging local SEO, it is time to get down to work. It is advisable to hire a local SEO expert who is well versed in the latest trends in the industry. These experts also have the time and resources to carry out a strong campaign with better results for your business.
If you are still not convinced about the place of local SEO in your marketing strategy, consider the following reasons:
- Better Ranking on SERPs
Google loves local businesses and for this reason, your efforts will be rewarded with a higher ranking on search engine result pages (SERPs). There is a clear favoritism by Google towards smaller, agile businesses proffering a great user experience.
- Leveraging Growth of Mobile
The growth of mobile and wearable devices means more people are searching for information on the go. If your website is optimized for local searches, you can bet it will easily feature at the top of SERPs, which leads to more traffic.
- Individualized Results
Google and other search engines are getting more sophisticated, which is making it easier to give users individualized results. Such results are based on the past internet behavior of users and include recommendations of nearby local businesses. If you have optimized your business for local search, you can bet more people will find you.
- Staying Ahead of the Competition
There is so much competition, especially online, and this makes it even more important to start targeted marketing to ensure a constant flow of traffic. It is easier to target a smaller local niche as opposed to a broad online audience. With visibility on search engines dropping, local SEO becomes the next frontier to find your target customers.
By hiring a local SEO consultant, you will be able to leverage the growing influence of local search. There are many strategies to use including local reviews, local content and relationship building, correct local citation, and optimizing with Google tools such as Google+ local, Google Places, and Maps among others.
