In 2019, 90% of consumers searched the internet to find a local business. When COVID-19 necessitated contact-free forms of shopping, this number only increased. How will you make sure customers find your business?
One thing Google does to help local businesses stand out is displaying local results above their organic ones. Google’s local pack is prime real estate among search results, and its information is linked to Google My Business (GMB) listings. So naturally, your business needs a complete, up to date GMB profile to score well in search results. Your business can keep its listing up to date by creating weekly posts, responding to reviews, and/or answering public questions.
Another thing to keep in mind about local search results is they are incredibly location-specific. This may seem obvious, but it could be a detriment to businesses with several locations that only feature one on their GMB listing. To avert this issue, multi-location businesses should create local landing pages (LLPs) for each of their locations. These standalone web pages allow you to link each one to a separate listing on GMB, maximizing your search visibility.
In putting the LLP together, follow the same basic rules of website design you would anywhere else. Place all important content in the first 2 screen-fulls of the webpage. Be clear and concise while making use of keywords. Add client logos, security seals, and company awards to increase customer trust in your business.
One last tip: 84% of local searches are made on mobile devices. Designing a mobile responsive site is more important than ever. Some features that customers will appreciate include click to call phone numbers, floating call to action buttons, and mobile friendly coupons.
Local businesses rely on SEO just as much as larger companies. Don’t let your business fall behind.
