Local visibility means being found by potential customers who are searching for products or services online. However, with so many local businesses putting effort into SEO, too many just can’t seem to get real results.
So, why is that? For most, it simply isn’t about SEO not working but, rather, something within the approach went wrong. Let’s examine three common reasons why SEO services for local businesses could be broken and, more importantly, how to fix them!
Focusing on Generic Keywords Instead of Localized Terms
Probably one of the biggest mistakes one can ever make in local SEO is just focusing on generic keywords alone. If you try to rank a local business website for broad terms like “plumbing services” or “bakery,” you’re going up against not only national brands but also behemoth websites that have monumental budgets. And that’s just not going to cut it for your local business to stand out against people who are searching for services nearby.
The Fix: Hyper-Localized Keywords
The solution? Think local! Apply hyper-local keywords, those that contain the city, neighborhood, or even street names in which the business is based.
Example: instead of targeting “plumbing services,” try “plumbing services in [XYZ].” This will help you reach out to the proper target audience in your vicinity and who are most likely to become paying customers. Tools such as Google’s Keyword Planner and SEMrush will help you find these high-value local keywords.
Neglecting Optimization of Google My Business
A Google My Business listing is critical to success in local SEO, yet far too many local businesses neglect to thoroughly optimize them. For a fact, this is usually the first point of contact between your business and any potential customer. Leaving them incomplete or riddled with inaccuracies means lost opportunity.
The Fix: Fully optimize your GMB listing
First, if you haven’t claimed your GMB profile yet, do so right now. Second, fill in every bit of information there: address, telephone number, website link, business hours, even photos. Keep the information updated and encourage customers to leave a review. Positive reviews improve credibility and increase your ranking for local searches. On top of that, post regular updates, events, and special offers to keep your profile active and relevant.
Not Leverage Power of Local Backlinks
Backlinks are the backbone of any SEO campaign; yet, too many local businesses fail to exert the true power of local backlinks-sites that link from other websites located in the same general geographic region in which you run your operations. If your site is not interlinked with other sites in your area, you will be missing out on one of the most powerful ways to gain rankings at the local level.
The Fix: Build a Local Backlink Network
Reach out and engage with the local businesses, directories, and organizations. Sponsor local events, join community projects, and work with neighborhood blogs or news websites. You will, therefore, start building a dense network of local backlinks. This not only improves SEO but also helps establish your business within the community.
Conclusion: Partner with Goosebumps to Transform Your Local SEO
Is your SEO strategy still not giving you what you need? Goosebumps is a specialist in providing customized SEO services for local businesses. Our team knows that every local business has its own needs, and we can help you reach more customers in your immediate vicinity. Today, reach out to find out how our specialized SEO services can kick up your online presence and get results where it matters the most locally.
