Gone are the days when writing about SEO tips only meant that we would actually start our pitch with Google’s much-dreaded algorithms, implemented from time to time, just to unnerve SEO marketers, in general. When you were still learning the ropes of Panda and Penguin, Penguin hit you.
Local SEO, today, is much more evolved, quite far from the regulated framework to which organic SEO has always been confined. Today, local SEO is more about strategic planning aimed at increasing your prominence just when your client needs it. So, there’s a difference, clearly, whereas traditional SEO was clearly about getting your customers to find you online, today it’s about getting them to find you right when they need you! Think about those micro-moments when you are on the street looking for food, shoe stores or handbag stores. Only when you are designing your SEO strategy around these micro-moments can you outperform your competitors.
Focus on the BREAD
This is basic. You simply cannot go wrong here. NAP stands for your business name, address and phone number. Make sure there are no errors by posting the details to various online channels: your website, online directories, business listings, social media channels, etc.
In that case, your audience will not only be confused, but you will also end up being penalized when search engines find out about the discrepancies.
Google My Business Page
GMB or Google My Business Page is crucial simply because of Google’s undeclared web monopoly. Be sure to enter the following details without fail:
- Name, address, telephone number
- Work hours
- photos of your business
Be sure to verify your phone number, business address, and respond to reviews.
Local dating sites like Yelp, BBB, FourSquare, and Angie’s Lists are just a few authoritative sites that enjoy unmatched trust among users. Be sure to include your business details here for better visibility.
Local dating is a favorite Google algorithm!
voice search
Make sure to prioritize voice search too. In 2019, we face a future where more than 50% of online searches will be done through voice search. Siri, Echo and Alexa are the most recent examples. It can well be seen that people actually feel more comfortable spelling out their searches verbally in Google rather than typing the same thing. You may also need to introduce “colloquial” settings to your content to make your content more compatible with voice search.
However, at the end of the day, make sure your articles don’t lose the organic connection with readers in your attempt to make it too search engine friendly. The user experience can take a serious hit if you really end up stuffing your content with long-tail keywords or trying to be forcefully informal. Keep a good balance to play the correct chords.
I hope these tips are helpful to you! Keep that connection alive by leaving room for reviews on Yelp, FourSquare, Facebook, etc.