When customers are right around the corner, why not make it easy for them to find you? Local SEO is the strategy to help you do just that – by putting your business on the map (literally) for local searches. Let’s get into the basics of Local SEO, why it’s important, and how to make it work for your bottom line.
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO (search engine optimization) is all about connecting local businesses with nearby customers through search engines like Google. It helps your business appear in search results when people look for products or services “near me,” in specific neighborhoods, or in cities like Jacksonville.
Think of Local SEO as your way of saying, “Hey, I’m here, and I have exactly what you’re looking for!” From appearing in Google Maps to local search results, Local SEO is key for any business with a physical location or service area.
Online businesses that serve both local and national areas, just like Full Throttle SEO, can benefit from local SEO.
Why Local SEO is Important for Your Business
Imagine a customer nearby searching for a service you offer – if you’re not showing up, you’re missing out. Local SEO is crucial because:
- More Visibility: Local SEO increases your chances of being seen by people actively searching nearby.
- Increased Trust: High rankings and good reviews help build credibility and trust with potential customers.
- In-store and Online Foot Traffic: Local SEO can bring people directly to your store or your website.
For example, a search for “best tacos in Jacksonville” shows a list of nearby taco spots, complete with ratings, distance, and more. That’s the power of Local SEO.
How Does Local SEO Work?
When it comes to Local SEO, Google looks at several things to decide if your business is a good match for the searcher’s needs. Here’s a quick look at the main factors:
- Relevance: How well your business matches what the searcher is looking for.
- Distance: How close your business is to the searcher’s location.
- Prominence: How popular and well-reviewed your business is online.
These factors combine to help Google decide if your business should appear at the top of local search results – either in the map pack (those three highlighted businesses with a map) or in the traditional blue link results.
Building Your Local SEO Strategy
Ready to attract more local customers? Here are a few essential steps:
1. Claim and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile is one of the best tools for boosting your visibility in local search results. Here’s what you should do:
- Add your business’s name, address, phone number, website, and category.
- Include your business hours (even holiday hours).
- Upload photos to show off your location, products, or services.
- Encourage and respond to customer reviews.
The more complete your profile, the better Google (and potential customers) can understand what you offer.
Caution: Don’t focus on having a 5-star rating on your Google Business Profile. It’s not often businesses are perfect, and might indicate to Google that your reviews aren’t authentic.
Ivy Boyter, Full Throttle SEO
If you have a 4.8-Star Rating, you’re more likely to be gathering real reviews.
2. Local Keyword Research
Finding the right keywords is essential for local SEO. These keywords should be specific to your services and location, like “affordable catering in Jacksonville” or “urgent plumbing repair near me.”
Try this:
- Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to discover local keyword variations.
- Test Google’s autocomplete by typing in your services to see what local terms come up.
- Review competitor’s for the terminology they use on their website.
- Check out reviews to see what terminology their customers use to describe their services.
One thing to note is that Google will serve relevant businesses in a “near me” search if you’ve included location information in your website and Google Business Profile.
Additionally, you don’t need to write “near me” in your content. It often sounds unnatural and cheesy to the reader.
3. Make Your Website Locally Relevant
Optimizing your website for local search goes beyond adding “Jacksonville” to your homepage. Here are a few easy-to-follow steps:
- Include location-based keywords in your titles, meta descriptions, headings, and text.
- Create location-specific pages if you serve multiple areas.
- Add a contact page with your name, address, and phone (NAP) details, consistent with your Google Business Profile.
- When writing content, ensure that it’s not only relevant to your business and customer, but that it has relevant local information as well.
4. Build Local Citations (Get Listed in Directories)
Citations are online mentions of your business, usually in directories. Keeping your NAP information consistent across directories is crucial for building Google’s confidence in your business’s credibility. Here’s how to get started:
- List your business on directories like Yelp, Bing Places, and Facebook.
- Use local directories, especially Jacksonville-specific or industry-specific ones.
5. Encourage and Manage Online Reviews
Positive reviews are like golden tickets for local SEO. They improve trust and can even increase your rankings. A few tips:
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile.
- Always respond – thank your happy customers and address any concerns politely.
Essential Tools to Simplify Your Local SEO
The right tools can make Local SEO easier. These are some of my favorites:
- Google Business Profile Manager: For managing and updating your business profile.
- Google Search Console: Helps monitor your website’s performance in search.
- Rank Tracking Tools: To track how your local keywords are ranking over time.
GA4, Google Search Console, and Google Business Profile Manager are all important for your online visibility and FREE. Plus, they each provide valuable data about your website performance and business presence online!
You can easily use the data that these provide to track metrics and refine your SEO strategy to keep bringing in local business.
Ready to Boost Your Local Presence?
If you’re looking to attract more local customers and make your business the go-to option in Jacksonville, start with these steps. Local SEO may take time, but every small step builds your visibility and brings your ideal customers closer.
Want to jumpstart your local SEO strategy? Contact Full Throttle SEO to find out how we can help you reach customers in Jacksonville and beyond.
GET IN TOUCH
Get Going on Local SEO
FAQs About Local SEO
What is the difference between local SEO and regular SEO?
Local SEO is a much more targeted strategy for generating business in your area. Search volumes will be lower, but they’re often much less competitive than targeting high search volume keywords on a national scale. If you’re a local business offering services in only local areas or just getting started with your business, starting local first offers the best chance of getting ranked and found in search.
Is doing a local SEO worth it?
If you’re looking for quicker results, local SEO is often much less competitive for being found online. I’ve had clients stress the importance of ranking nationally only to be disappointed when they couldn’t rank and generate business in a short time. Very often, ranking locally in the beginning is the best strategy to being found online FIRST. If you’re offering products or services only to your local area, you don’t want to spend your budget or time on anything other than local strategies.
Is local SEO paid?
If you know how to generate content with a local focus, no. You can learn to do SEO in your own time. However, I know how difficult it is to wear that many hats in your own business. You probably don’t have time for it all while learning a new trade. If that’s the case, paying for someone’s expertise in running local SEO strategies can be extremely beneficial and save you a lot of time!
