Being a small business can be really hard graft when it comes to SEO. Lack of budget, inside expertise and general brand awareness can make things difficult when it comes to smashing that Google search query! 

But… not all is lost! We’ve compiled a quick and dirty tip list to help you get your Local SEO off the ground, and your small and wonderful business found!

So, what is local SEO?

Local SEO is a search engine optimisation strategy that helps your business be more visible in local search results on Google. ANY business that has a physical location or serves a geographical area can benefit from a local SEO strategy.

Why your small business needs a local SEO strategy

It’s common for small businesses to serve customers in our local area, and the ‘shop local’ trend is something that many people are certainly becoming more passionate about. 

While a general SEO strategy can help your website rank higher based on product, service or information searches, a local based strategy ensures that your business shows up when people search specifically within a local area. 

This is even more crucial if you’re up against some tough local competition! Check out Hub Spot for a more comprehensive guide to Local SEO strategy.

Let’s get down to business

As promised, here are our top 5 tips for improving your Local SEO performance:

1. Google Business Profile

Let’s face it, Google is king! With 93% of the search engine market share, it’s clear that Google should be our top priority when it comes to SEO strategies. So, the first thing on your to do list is to create a Google My Business profile. 

Once you have provided all of the requested information in your Google My Business account, it will be added to your business profile. This means, you will now appear in local search results, Google Maps and be able to collect Google Reviews - cool huh? 

2. Local Based Content

Does your local business have a blog? If not… get one. If it does, then try and curate as much local based content as possible. Are there local events, news stories or trends that you can jump on board with? 

Not only will this content be more relevant and enriching to your local audience, it’s also more likely to be picked up by Google in local searches and improve your authority in the local market place. 

What is SEO authority? 

Page authority, in search engine optimization (SEO), is the value a search engine assigns a Web page. The higher the value, the more likely the search engine will return a Web page early in organic search results. Check out our services for more support and advice on Search Engine Optimisation.

3. Local Keywords

Ensure that your keywords across your website are relevant to your local area… Duh! Be specific and include regional landmarks and key hotspots where necessary. These keywords can be used right across your site, from website copy and headings to meta tags and URLS. Check out our blog on The Importance Of Your Webpage Meta Titles for more advice! 

4. About Us Page

Be sure to optimise your About Us page. Google LOVES an About Us page. This is the juicy heart of your website that tells all the Google’s minions what they need to know about your business and the content on your site. Where possible, try to include:

• Opening hours

• Name, Address and Contact Number

• Business Description

• Testimonials

• Accessibility services i.e. parking details

• Link to Google Maps

• Link to any social channels

Be careful if you have multiple branches/locations… each of these pages need to be super specific!

5. Local Directories (Backlinks)

Most towns will have local online directory websites, with monthly e-news shots and social media channels pumped with local content. Be sure to list your business on these directories. 

They often have a high domain authority so there’s a high chance your customers will find you there. So, not only will the visibility support your business, but having these backlinks to your website will certainly boost your local SEO. 

Be sure to include the following, and make it consistent amongst all your online listings:

• Business Name

• Address and Phone Number

• A backlink to your website (About us page is a good shout!)

• A thorough description of your business bubbling with relevant keywords

If you’d like more support on localising your SEO strategy, then head over to our SEO services page or drop us a message and we’ll get right on it!