It is important to stay visible in the online world, especially when it comes to local searches for businesses.
If you run a local business, you already know how important it is to market your business to your community. Unfortunately, word-of-mouth marketing is very limiting and won’t always reach the customers who are looking for businesses like yours. To get your business to your potential customers, you need local search engine optimization services.
Local SEO is the key marketing strategy for businesses seeking their local clients. Everyday, people are searching for businesses like hair salons, nail salons, markets, mechanics, flower shops, etc. It’s up to you to ensure that your business ranks high in search engine results and gets the attention of these potential customers.
Local Search Engine Optimization Services in Los Angeles
Here are a few aspects for local SEO that you should consider for ranking your website in local searches.
Name-Address-Phone Accuracy
NAP, or your business Name-Address-Phone Number, should be listed on external websites and business directories where relevant. It is extremely important to keep the NAP accurate and consistent across all of these sites and directories.
Your own website should display the NAP as well, just like any external website or directory. NAP accuracy is important for local search engine optimization services in Los Angeles because if the NAP is not correct on sites like Google, customers will get upset at you, not at Google. It is your responsibility to ensure the accuracy and consistency of your information so that you do not send a potential customer to the wrong place.
Schema Markup
Schema is a type of markup that teaches search engines about a website’s content. Similar to the NAP, it ensures that business location, contact information, hours of operation, and other data about your business is accurately documented in search engine results.
If you’re looking to implement schema markup, you can check out Schema.org Local Business schema attributes. A tool like MicroData Generator can generate your business schema for you so that you don’t have to code it manually. To make sure that your schema markup is error-free, you can also use Schema Scanner.
Google My Business Profile
Google+ is a live and well for many functions, such as Google My Business profiles. These are business profiles where potential customers can get information about your business such as what the business does, hour of operation, and location.
As mentioned in the NAP Accuracy section, it is important to make sure that your Google My Business page always has accurate and updated information. Remember that your location is directly linked to Google Maps, which people use on a daily basis to get to any given business. An accurate Google My Business profile is a sure way to strengthen your local search engine optimization services in Los Angeles.
Online Reviews
Many local businesses are discovered as a result of successful word-of-mouth marketing. People tend to trust referrals from others who have experienced the same service instead of randomly choosing a business online. One of the key elements to local search engine optimization services in Los Angeles is online reviews.
If a business has numerous negative reviews and not many good reviews, you can bet there will be a higher chance of a negative experience of that business on the customer’s end. While online reviews may not always reflect the service that was provided, businesses have a chance to earn positive reviews and grow substantially. It is important to focus on giving your customer outstanding service so that they will only remember positive experiences and give you good reviews. Potential customers who cannot get recommendations from others will most definitely look up the reviews of any given business before taking a chance.
The primary review websites are Google My Business, Yelp, and Foursquare. Keep your eye on these pages, engage with customers, and monitor your business reviews.
Outstanding Content and Links
A website’s content and links play a significant role when it comes to local search engine optimization services in Los Angeles. Your business website’s content should be human-readable with valuable information, not stuffed with keywords. A general rule of thumb is to have around 500 words of valuable text for each page. If your business has various products or services, ensure that each page has enough information about these services for your customer to make informed decisions.
It is also important to build positive relationships with local businesses who can link to your website pages. Links to the pages of your website can make all the difference, because if the links are coming from trusted vendors, this will boost your local SEO drastically.
Google Analytics
Google Analytics are essential for successful local search engine optimization services. Utilizing Google Analytics, you can gain insight on the way to adapt your online presence more effectively. Keep an eye on behaviors observed through Google Analytics, such as the number of users who ask for directions or search for store hours.
You can use Google’s checklist or GAtective.com to get set up and ∂check that Google Analytics is running properly. Be attentive with your Google Analytics to ensure that you’re that you’re doing well with your customers while getting enough traffic to your website.
Responsive Web Design
Considering the number of people who use smart phones, it is important to create a website that is mobile-friendly. Google recently indicated if web pages people visit are mobile friendly, so think about all the business you will lose if your website does not have this convenience.
Keep in mind that if you choose not to have a responsive website, many of your competitors will, which is already a more positive experience for the customers.
Local Citations
Local citations which include your business NAP are important for local search engine optimization services and rankings. Aim to get your business listed wherever possible, being more attentive to higher profile websites. Here’s a list of 50 local citation websites that will help you get started.
As you can see, most of these Local Search Engine Optimization Services tips are easy to implement when it comes to your business website. These small changes can take your business a long way, so consider these local search engine optimization services to get you started!