The cornerstone of local SEO is claiming and optimizing your business on My Business Listing. Local SEO is a great factor used in ranking most businesses on Google. Basically, local SEO means optimizing your site keeping in perspective a specific location. For example, search engine optimization in Phoenix can be carried out to increase rankings of a business site in Phoenix. In this article, you are going to learn about the basics of SEO and ways to optimize your business in search results.
What is Local SEO?
It is the process of optimizing the search results in favor of your site to attract visitors searching for information online that pertains your industry in your area. It is carried out by search engines such as Google. There are other search engines such as Bing, Apple Maps and Yelp.
In the United States, Google has a market share of 87%. This means most people use Google when they are searching for information online.
As a website owner, most visitors check your website using their mobile phones. This means it is important to ensure you have made your site mobile friendly.
How to Master Keyword Search?
Let us take an instance where you own a fast food joint called ‘Deje Fast foods.’As the owner of the joint, you would like your site to pop in results such as:
- Fast-food joint
- Which time does Deje Fast Foods close?
- How long does it take to reach Deje Fast Foods?
The above search results are not the traditional queries and so Google will display information in the form of SERPs which resemble card like results. The information is pulled by Google out of My Business Listings.
However, there are traditional keywords and you need to find out what they are and optimize your site using the keywords. Here are some of the techniques you can use.
Know Your Service in Locations(SIL)
When carrying out the local keyword research, you need to learn about the primary keywords. If you are an electrician in Phoenix, how will the people search for your services?
- Best electrician in Phoenix
- Electrician in Phoenix
The above is referred to as Service in Location(SIL).
Carrying out the above process is easier since you only need to match the keywords to create a list of the potential keywords.
Look for Ideas About Appropriate Keywords on Craigslist
Craigslist can also be used to generate keywords. You only need to go to the services section and select the location of your business and enter the appropriate keyword.
Use Google Auto Complete
It can also be used to generate the search suggestions. You are required to enter the target keyword and the suggested searches will pop up.
Optimizing Bing Places, Google My Business, and App Map Listings
Using Google My Business
Optimizing your Google My Business is important in local SEO. The settings for this feature are easy and you only need to follow all the instructions provided.
The feature is offered by Google and it is free to use. It is used to manage businesses online and it is also used as a ranking factor in organic search results for the local businesses.
Using Bing Places
It is the same as Google My Business. Setting up the profile takes a few steps and in order to use the feature, you will need to hit the ‘get started button’.
Using Apple Map Listing
Apple has a market share of 32.9% in the US meaning that millions of smartphone users use Apple. When carrying out local SEO, you should also optimize the Apple Map Listing to increase the exposure of your business.
Carrying Out Local Citations
It is the online mention of your business in the form of the business name, address, and contact information. It is collectively referred to as NAP.
Why are the Local Citations (NAP) Important?
NAP is used as one of the top ranking factors in the organic search results. NAP information should be consistent since inconsistent information will misdirect Google and direct your potential customers elsewhere. People also search for services on sites such as Facebook and other directories. Having your NAP information on your site will ensure people access your services easily.
The above are some of the common search engine optimization techniques. Search engine optimization in Phoenix has been made easier by the above-listed techniques.
