5 Benefits of Local SEO Services for Your Business

Nowadays, running an online business requires much more than creating a website. At the end of 2021, Google recorded the existence of more than 2 billion websites. Your competition grows in direct proportion to their increasing number. How to deal with it while running a local business? More and more people are choosing to run a company sustainably in their city. So why is it worth using the local SEO strategy?

What is local SEO?

Search engine optimization is an important part of running a successful business. If your site isn’t on page one of Google and Bing, you’re missing out on potential customers and sales. While search engine algorithms change over time, local SEO focuses on making sure you show up in search results based on location-specific keywords.

It is a strategy aimed in particular at owners of brick-and-mortar premises, who additionally focus on online promotion. It is mainly about catering, entertainment, cultural, medical and service services. So these are practices that are intended for service providers in a specific location.

Why do You need to go online?

If you are a local business owner, then you might think that search engine optimization is not as necessary because your customers are near you. However, if you want to expand your reach, having a website optimized for search engines is crucial. If you want to improve your visibility on search engines and attract more local customers to come to your brick-and-mortar business (a professional SEO firm can help).

Reason 1: Online Presence

First impressions matter, and if you want to be successful in business then it’s important to ensure that potential customers are able to find you online. With local SEO, your business will be listed on websites such as Google, where search engine algorithms will direct people looking for a specific service or product your way. More than just helping your business rank well on search engines, local search optimization can lead to an increase in sales leads and profits. This is because these websites are designed specifically with consumers in mind.

It is worth knowing that about 46% of searches from all over the internet concern local queries. According to statistics, 1 in 3 customers check the website of the selected place before a stationary visit. The website gives you an insight into the offer and allows you to stand out from the competition.

Reason 2: Traffic

More online eyes means more business opportunities. According to a study by BrightLocal, 54% of consumers prefer to use search engines over direct communication when looking for local businesses. If you’re not showing up in search results, you’re missing out on potential customers. More than 80% of all web searches are local and show strong growth as more businesses and consumers turn to search engines before making a purchasing decision.

Inbound links are by far one of the best ways to improve traffic. Your website will appear higher in search engine results, giving you more visibility and more exposure. The more exposure your site gets, whether through social media or a high ranking on Google, will increase your chances of gaining new business. Local SEO services can help businesses that already have their own website rank well on Google, as well as businesses without websites build an online presence.

Reason 3: Brand Promotion

Whether you’re a lawyer, law firm, real estate agent or another type of professional, local search results are one of your most important marketing assets. When potential clients search on Google or other search engines and find your company at the top of their results page, they’ll become more likely to buy from you.

Thanks to off-site strategies, you will gain new reach. Nowadays, the omnichannel strategy is used, which involves the use of many different sources of communication. Optimization goes for social media, blogs, podcasts, videos, etc. When acting locally, you need to consider visitors and tourists, not only city residents.

Reason 4: Leads

What is a lead? It is transforming a potential passive network user into an active consumer. Lead is an interaction through which we obtain valuable information or data, e.g. subscribing to a newsletter, registering an account on the website, making and finalizing an online purchase.

About 80% of local searches are converted. In addition, more than half of the recipients visit the store within one day of the search, thus becoming a real consumer. Without leads, you have no sales. And without sales, your business will fail. If you need help acquiring new customers and building brand awareness in your industry, look into local SEO services. These digital marketing strategies help local businesses get on top of search results and website rankings in nearby markets, which can ultimately drive more traffic and clients through your doors.

Reason 5: Gain Authority

One way to get on page one is by establishing yourself as an authority in your space. This can be done through local media mentions, industry certification and more. While there are many ways to establish your brand’s authority, many local business owners are unaware that Google values their reputation and activity within their local community. By engaging with neighbors and city officials, Google will recognize you as a trusted voice in your area and place you higher on their search results pages. Additionally, earning recognition from neighbors and city officials can boost morale within your company by showing employees that you’re invested in creating a better experience for customers in your community.

Each comment, rating, and star are a ranking factor for Google, and most of all, they are information for users. You gain trust with them, so they are a form of modern unsightly marketing. We definitely believe more people we know or the community in which we move.

To sum up

Remember what your last search was about? It is likely that they were something that is close to you. The reason is simple. If people search for a business in their area, and your business isn’t there, you can miss out on clients—and new business. To help your local customers find you online and increase local foot traffic, hire a skilled local SEO expert to guide you through an optimization strategy. These days, it’s about more than just ranking locally—it’s about being found when potential customers are looking for products or services in your area.