What is local SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and it does is tells search engines why they should read your website and what it is about.
For instance, if you own a local used car dealership and there are a couple of car dealerships on the same road as you when someone searches the internet for a used car how does Google know what you sell and how you are different. People driving down the road see your sign and some of the cars so for them it’s easy to see, but search engines have to be told who you are and how you are unique from your competitors.
Why Local SEO?
Local SEO is becoming more valuable and therefore, more popular. The landscape of search is changing due to the onset of new technologies and the massive influx of brands and businesses looking to get a slice of that first search-engine-results page (SERP). If you’re looking to position yourself for the greatest possible flow of traffic, it’s important to understand why local SEO is so increasingly important, and how to take advantage of it.
Why Local SEO Matters for Mobile searches
Mobile technology is finding its way into pockets everywhere, and people are becoming more comfortable with it as a means of searching. Over sixty percent of searchers now use mobile exclusively to do product research, and the majority of mobile searches are locally specific. Since users can search on the fly, they’re far more likely to make local searches.
Plus, Google and other search engines are doing more to respond to the trend. Google just un-leashed MOBILEGEDDON which was designed to de-rank websites that were not mobile friendly. They’re collecting more information about their users’ locations and search histories, and doing everything they can to give them local-specific results. That means, even if you have a huge national authority, you could easily get outranked by a similar company simply because of their proximity to the searcher.
So what do you do?
Attend local events and get involved with your local community to write blog posts and press releases that celebrate your company’s attendance. Acquire inbound links from local news sites or community sites, and mention your region or city’s name whenever you get a chance online. A strong social presence never hurts, either.
Whether you’re a small local shop or a major national player, you need to start thinking about your local SEO strategy. Local is already huge, and it’s only getting bigger.
Source: Jason DeMers
