Search engine optimization (SEO) is a marketing tactic businesses must use to rank their website or web page higher in search results for specific keywords and phrases. This complex but essential investment helps you gain more organic traffic and visibility. While there’s nothing wrong with trying to target a national audience, it’s better to start small by using local SEO.
The right tactics can help you get more attention in your community, while the wrong ones can make you miss out on opportunities. For this reason, you should work with a company that offers professional local SEO services.
If you want to create your local success story and become a town favorite, this article will define local SEO and what you should never do to your website.
What Is Local SEO?
Local SEO means enhancing your website and online content to rank higher in search engine result pages (SERPs) for local searches. It involves creating content geared towards local search queries, optimizing your website for local keywords, and establishing a strong presence on local search engines and directories. These tactics are essential for businesses serving a specific geographical area because it helps them attract potential customers nearby.
6 Expensive Mistakes That Hurt Your Local SEO
After defining local SEO, here are the costly errors you should never make to your website.
1. Not Using Local Content
A common mistake businesses make with local SEO is not using local content, including blog posts, videos, and photos customized for your area.
You can boost your ranking in local search results and prove to Google that you’re an expert in the locality by developing and optimizing local content. This step can also help you establish connections with connections and lead to more leads and recommendations. Moreover, always ask a local SEO service for help.
2. Not Creating a Local Link Building Strategy
Local link building is essential to local SEO because it helps search engines confirm your business details’ correctness and assess your website’s credibility. However, not having a plan can make you miss out on valuable links from local directories and other websites.
You can gain the search engines’ trust and boost your local rankings by creating a link-building strategy to secure high-quality, pertinent links from local directories, industry-specific websites, and other local businesses.
3. Not Optimizing Your Website for Mobile Devices
A common but costly SEO mistake businesses make is not optimizing their website for mobile devices. This step is essential for local SEO because many people use smartphones and tablets to search for nearby businesses. You can help customers easily access your website and get more leads and referrals by ensuring your website is responsive and has a mobile-friendly design.
4. Not Claiming Your Google Business Profile Listing
The most common local SEO mistake is not claiming your Google Business Profile listing, a free service essential for reaching local customers. You can gain more visibility and buyers by signing up, filling out all necessary information, and verifying your listing.
5. Not Generating Citations
Citations mention your company information on other websites. Local SEO citation services can also help you find inaccurate information and opportunities for more references. You can generate these quality mentions by submitting your business name, address, and phone number to local directories and industry-specific sites.
6. Not Focusing on Reviews and Ratings
You can get valuable leads and referrals by asking customers to leave reviews and ratings on local directories. You can also increase credibility and stand out from competitors by encouraging them to post reviews on your Google Business Profile.
Conclusion
Local SEO can help your business rank in your area’s search results, but you must follow the correct practices to succeed. You can create your local success stories by creating quality content, optimizing your website, and working with professional SEO services.
If your establishment needs professional local SEO services in Atlanta, let SpinnerMedia help! Our full-service digital marketing agency is committed to helping small businesses increase sales. Contact us now to start ranking higher locally!
