Boost Your Small Business Revenue: Local SEO Strategies for Better Visibility
By Tony Englund | March 27, 2023
As a small business owner, the key to success in today’s competitive marketplace is a solid online presence. You’ve probably heard about search engine optimization (SEO) being essential for businesses—and it’s true. But when it comes to small and local businesses, local SEO is the game-changer. Local SEO helps your business rank higher in search engine results for customers within your geography.
By optimizing your website and online presence, you can increase your visibility to potential customers in your area and grow your business. In this blog post, we’ll explore some simple yet effective tips that will help improve your local search visibility right away.
Optimize Your Google Business Listing
Google Business is a free business tool that enables you to manage your business’s online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. To get started, claim and verify your listing. Once verified, provide accurate and updated information about your business, such as your name, address, phone number, working hours and website.
Include high-quality photos of your business, FAQs, products or services. By optimizing your listing and keeping it up to date, you increase the chances of showing up in Google’s Local Pack—the top three search results for local businesses.
Use Local Keywords on Your Website
Incorporate local keywords throughout your website’s content, title tags and meta descriptions. This will help search engines better understand what your business is about and where it’s located.
Use tools like Google’s Keyword Planner to discover popular search terms for your company and location. Remember to use these keywords appropriately and avoid keyword stuffing. Incorporating localized content in your website, such as featuring local events, testimonials or news, can also boost your local SEO.
Make Your NAP Consistent
NAP (name, address, phone number) is crucial for local SEO. Ensuring that your NAP is consistent across your website and online business listings is essential. Inconsistent information can confuse search engines and potential customers alike, which can negatively impact your rankings. Audit and update your online listings—including social media profiles, directories and review sites—to ensure your NAP is consistent across the board.
Grow and Manage Online Reviews
Online reviews are an essential component of local SEO because they build trust with customers and improve your search rankings. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on Google, Yelp and other relevant platforms. Respond to both positive and negative reviews professionally and courteously. This not only demonstrates that you value customer feedback, but it also helps to mitigate potential damage from negative reviews. Moreover, showcasing testimonials or reviews on your website can further build trust and credibility with potential customers.
The Google iFrame Map
Integrating the Google iFrame map on your location page is not only a crucial element for enhancing user experience, but it also plays a significant role in boosting local SEO for your website. By embedding this highly interactive and user-friendly map feature, you provide your audience with a convenient tool to pinpoint your business’s precise location and get quick access to directions, thereby increasing the likelihood of them visiting your physical location.
Additionally, search engines like Google emphasize content that offers valuable information and improved functionality. As a result, incorporating the Google iFrame map can enhance your website’s visibility in local search results, attracting more potential customers and ultimately driving higher traffic to your site. Connecting the signal of your Google Business Page and website can have an immediate impact on increasing your rank.
How to Implement the Google iFrame Map
- Google your business name
- Click “Maps”
- Click the “Share” button
- Click “Embed a Map”
- Copy HTML, then add to your CMS where appropriate
Google iFrame Map
To give your small business the visibility it needs, local SEO is a must in today’s digital world. From crafting an optimized Google My Business listing to embedding a map of your location and earning online reviews, these tactics can work together to boost rankings in local search results—resulting in higher foot traffic for you. With such simple steps taken now, there will be more potential customers discovering what makes you so special—meaning loyal clientele won’t be far away with consistent effort on leveling up those local optimization skills.
To learn more, download our guide to unlock your local SEO potential, or email Anthony Englund, senior director of digital strategy, at [email protected].
