Ok so like you must have heard about seo right? Everyone talks about it and how it helps websites rank on google and stuff. But there’s this thing called local seo which most people dont really understand or know about. It’s very important specially if you own a small shop or business and want customers from near by.
In this article i will tell u what local seo actually is, why u should care and some easy tips to improve it. Even if ur not good with computers you can do some things yourself.
what is local seo anyways?
seo means search engine optimization which is just a way to make your website or business show up higher when people search on google or other search engines.
local seo is seo but for local searches. Like if i search “best restaurant near me” google tries to find places close to where i am. so local seo is making your biz appear in these local searches.
for example if you own a car repair shop in mumbai then you want ppl searching “car mechanic mumbai” or “car repair near me” to find you easily.
why is local seo so important?
many small business owners think seo is only for big companies or online shops but its not true. local seo can bring tons of customers to small shops, restaurants, salons, clinics, tutors, plumbers basically any local business.
think about it, 9 out of 10 people search online before buying or going somewhere and many visit within 1 day after searching. so if you dont appear in local results then you lose all these potential customers.
how local seo works
google wants to give the best results to ppl so it looks at many things like your business name, address, phone number (called nap), customer reviews, photos, website content and other listings.
if google thinks your business is close to the person searching and relevant to the search query it shows your business on google maps or on top in local pack.
google my business (gmb) – your best friend
google my business is a free tool by google where you can create your business profile and show info like address, phone, timing, photos, posts and reviews.
this profile shows up on google search results and maps so if someone searches your business or local business your gmb will help them find you fast.
making and verifying gmb profile is the most important step for local seo. if you dont have it then you are missing big opportunity.
how to improve local seo
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create and verify google my business profile
go to google my business site and add ur biz details correctly. verify by phone or postcard sent to ur address. -
keep your nap consistent
make sure your name, address and phone number are same everywhere like website, gmb, facebook and other directories. if not google gets confused. -
get reviews from happy customers
ask customers to leave reviews on gmb. more positive reviews better trust and ranking. -
use local keywords on your website
like “best electrician in delhi” or “organic food shop bangalore”. this helps google know ur location. -
list your biz on other directories
like justdial, sulekha, yelp, facebook business page etc. more places u listed better chances of showing up. -
add photos and post updates on gmb
upload pics of your shop, products and post offers to attract customers. -
optimize website for mobiles
most ppl search on phones so website should be fast and mobile friendly.
common mistakes to avoid
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dont use different address or phone number on different sites
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dont ignore verifying your gmb
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dont ignore reviews or not reply to them
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dont use wrong keywords
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dont keep business info outdated
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dont forget to add photos or post regularly
how long does local seo take to work?
local seo is not instant, usually takes weeks or even months to see good results. but once u rank higher local customers will find u easily and sales will increase.
should you hire someone for local seo?
if u r busy or dont know how to do it u can hire seo expert or digital marketing agency but if u wanna save money u can start basic stuff yourself.
final thoughts
local seo is very important today for every small business. ppl search online before buying or visiting any place so if ur business not visible online u lose customers.
start with google my business, keep info consistent, get reviews and use local keywords. this can bring more customers to your shop.
so dont wait start local seo today and watch ur biz grow!