Local SEO is the practice of keeping a website ranked highly in localised website searches to promote products and services to an engaged target market. By doing this, a business is explicitly concentrating their efforts against local competition. If you are neglecting to put in place a local SEO strategy, you are not making the most of your website, no matter how attractive and modern it might be. With a static website being an ineffective one, Primal's expert team are on-hand to give your online presence the boost it needs to overcome your local competition.
Local search engine optimisation is similar to general SEO in that it's all about the visibility of a website or specific web page within the search engine results. These results can be achieved free-of-charge, often referred to as "organic" or "earned" results. Meanwhile, local SEO also plays a major role in driving customers to brick-and-mortar businesses. Through the optimisation of a Google My Business (GMB) page, you can highlight the most critical details about your business, including your address, phone number and opening hours, ensuring customers can easily engage with your business. This outstanding resource works both for businesses that accept people in-store, as well as service-area businesses such as plumbers and cleaning companies.
Local SEO is also essential in terms of your company’s ability to grow and prosper in the face of ever-growing competition. The internet has become extremely pervasive in terms of brand marketing, but local SEO ensures your business reaches its target market. No matter your industry or product, strategised local SEO services boost profits in a competitive marketplace. Remember: four out of five consumers use search to find local information, which means if your business isn't actively engaged in local search, you’re missing out on 80% of your potential customer base.
You have probably made a significant investment in your website, so why not make it work for you? A strategic local SEO for business campaign can make a big difference in the amount of foot traffic and paying customers you receive. It can route people away from your competitors and straight to your business. On average, people turn to Google 3-4 times a day to search – wouldn’t you like those to lead people directly to your door?
In terms of local SEO, 'Google My Business' (GMB) has become an essential service for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Since Google is hesitant about promoting content that it can't verify, Google My Business is how they determine your business details are authentic. If you correctly organise your Google My Business account and ensure your business name, address and phone number match those listed on your website and third party sites around the internet, there's a good chance you'll get your own sidebar space within relevant local Google search results. Known as the Google Knowledge Graph, this sidebar encourages customers to interact with your business, leading to increased website traffic and conversions.
To ensure you're maximising the potential of your local SEO, you need to keep your Google My Business page regularly updated. This ensures Google's continues to perceive your business as legitimate and attractive to customers, as it benefits from being recommended across a wide range of services. You can boost your chances of receiving a Google Knowledge Graph by encouraging people to write Google Reviews and responding in kind. Meanwhile, the appearance of this page also relies on the relevance, proximity and prominence of your business in relation to the person conducting the search.
Related to the optimisation of your Google My Business page, a local business can also take great strides on the search engine by developing their Google Map Pack. Also known as the Google Local Pack, this feature is displayed in approximately 30% of first-page search results, ensuring your local SEO campaign factors in Google Map Pack could be a difference-maker in overtaking your competition. Featuring a map and a list of three local businesses, complete with their name, address and phone number (NAP), the Local Pack also shows customers your office hours, reviews and provides a handy call button. With these features helping generate brand awareness and conversions, if you can get your business to appear consistently in Google Local Map Pack search results, you can give your business a dramatic boost.
To get started, you're going to need a verified Google My Business account. Then, you'll want to fill out your profile with your business information, including category, NAP data and high-quality images. Finally, every top local SEO plan should strive to gain more Google Reviews for your business. With customers trusting online reviews as much as recommendations from friends and family, monitor these reviews carefully and enhance your online reputation. Partner with Primal and we can provide your business with a guide to local SEO that will ensure you overtake your competitors in the marketplace.
In the past, almost every piece of information included on a Google My Business page was based around a company's physical location. However, this became an issue amongst service-area businesses (SABs) that don't necessarily have a brick-and-mortar storefront for people to visit. So how did Google solve this problem? They made it possible for companies to specify the areas they serve, rather than simply being forced to list an office space that might be irrelevant to the average consumer. In terms of local SEO, this change has given SABs the chance to create far more accurate GMB listings, as you can specifically highlight where your company operates and attract potential customers who live in areas far removed from where your company is based.
If you're an SAB that's looking to set up its Google My Business page, there are a few important steps to take to maximise local SEO. As you go through the process, you'll be given the chance to opt-out of providing a business address. If this is relevant to your company, make sure you do so. Then, you'll have the option of listing up to 20 locations based on postal codes or city names to create a profile that doesn't have a specific address, but a range of areas that your business covers. With the help of a leading local SEO agency like Primal, we can ensure your business gets the most out of Google My Business and benefits from an array of highly relevant local searches.
Alongside the Local Map Pack search results, acquiring Google Reviews has a range of other benefits, including helping your business climb the rankings. Even if the reviews aren't always glowing, just by increasing the amount of local engagement with your business, Google understands that your company is legitimate and worth promoting. This way, Google can happily recommend your business to other possible customers searching with relevant terms in your area. With this in mind, it's always a great idea to encourage customers to leave honest reviews. One way many local businesses achieve this is by sending follow-up emails after someone has made a purchase, seeking feedback on your performance with a link to your GMB page.
As mentioned above, consumers put a lot of faith in online reviews – probably more than you'd expect. According to recent research, 84% of people have as much confidence in online reviews as they do recommendations from those they know. In fact, 68% made a decision on a product after reading between one and six reviews. These statistics mean your business must be able to attract positive reviews. Although you can't keep everyone happy all the time, local businesses with high star ratings are naturally going to attract more clicks, meaning Google is also going to give your brand preference compared to others in the area.
The production of high-quality content is super important when it comes to increasing your search engine rankings, but especially when you're a business attempting to attract local customers. Instead of focusing on the widest possible audience that might not even be able to reach your business, develop an approach to your content that ensures you're interacting with a local customer base who cares about what you have to say. This method ensures you'll improve your brand awareness and conversion rate amongst an audience that's highly relevant to your business. As Google has become extraordinary at detecting content that holds true value, taking a local focus to your content could deliver outstanding results.
Whether that means creating an extensive blog post, case studies, explainer videos or news articles, your business could find success in your industry by becoming the go-to local authority. Depending on your sector, you could promote important events, provide your opinion on major industry news or create informative content that offers genuine insight. With a creative approach to improving your search rankings, you can ensure local customers see your operation as one of the best in the business. Backed by Primal's experienced team, we can help your business generate a first-rate content strategy that attracts local customers and improves your search engine position.
Creating eye-catching videos is something that many small and medium-sized businesses overlook. With most businesses operating at this level not having access to a professional video production team, many companies have decided that it's simply too difficult. However, with a thorough plan, it's possible to produce engaging video content that boosts your local SEO and attracts a target market living in your location. To get started, you're going to want to create a YouTube channel. As the world's largest video-sharing platform, YouTube is also owned by Google, which makes it easier to integrate content alongside a variety of other Google services. When setting up your YouTube profile, it's also a good idea to add some vivid custom graphics and include links between your website and your channel.
Once you've generated ideas for your videos and finished editing, several techniques will improve your content's reach via Google search, providing you with a significant boost in terms of local SEO. You should always aim to optimise your video titles with location information that is bound to attract people from your area, while also making sure to set the location of your video in YouTube's backend manager to improve your results. Be sure to include plenty of extra details in the video description section, including your business name, address and phone number, plus you should add links to relevant external landing pages and feature location-based keywords in the video transcription. With a proactive approach to video content, even businesses with a small budget can achieve outstanding local SEO results.
With the increased accessibility of smartphones around the globe, search has truly become mobile. Nowadays, approximately 58% of all internet searches are conducted using mobile devices. This seismic shift in the online landscape was recognised by Google as they implemented 'mobile-first indexing'. So, what does this change mean exactly? It means that if your business has a mobile-friendly website, it's going to be given preference on the search engine results page. As more people get comfortable with using their smartphones to search on the move in their everyday lives, if your company fails to have a robust mobile-first website, you risk falling behind the search results of your competition and out of relevance altogether.
In terms of local SEO, creating a mobile-friendly digital presence has become hugely important. With research highlighting how approximately 30% of all mobile searches are location-related, this fact suggests the importance of mobile websites when attempting to attract local customers. As an increasing number of customers include terms like “where to buy” and “near me” in a Google search, this kind of intent is how you know someone is looking to buy almost immediately within their surrounding area. With Primal's data-driven approach to local SEO, we can identify the ideal location-based keywords and enhance your on-page optimisation to ensure you reach the customers who matter most. This way, your online presence is ready for the future as website traffic can easily browse your website and search for what they need.
Link building is a highly productive SEO method in general, but especially in the local business context. As Google recognises inbound links pointing towards your website as a form of verification, the more inbound links you acquire, the more Google sees your business as being legitimate and relevant to potential customers. This means it's hugely important to put considerable emphasis on the generation of inbound links. Fortunately, local businesses have an array of opportunities that non-local websites aren't able to focus on. With the success of many brick and mortar businesses based on building local relationships, especially with distributors, wholesalers and contractors, consider reaching out to complementary companies in your area and ask them to share a link to your business on a relevant page.
Another local SEO strategy that could deliver great results is sponsoring events in your area. Whether you donate cash, products or your company's resources, this is a smart way to create positive news and acquire links at the same time. Delve into your local community and consider sponsoring a sports team, a corporate event series or community gatherings that will attract potential customers who will be interested in your products and services. Guest blogging is also an inbound link building strategy that many organisations find success with. Reach out to like-minded publications to see if you can create content that demonstrates your authority on industry topics. This will improve brand awareness and customer trust while also including a link pointing potential customers straight to your website.
Although people often view social media as a global innovation, it's equally useful for promoting local businesses to customers in your immediate area. Thanks to a wealth of targeting features on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, social media has made it possible to generate an incredible ROI on your advertising budget. By targeting customers on social media platforms based on location, age, gender and interests, you can reach a highly engaged audience that's fascinated by your products and services. If you're looking to build a robust approach to local SEO, don't overlook the immense power of social media. Primal's unparalleled understanding of social media marketing will ensure you generate exceptional results throughout your local SEO campaign.
If you're unsure which social media platform you should be focusing your energy on, you should always pick the one where your customers hang out most. Building a following on social media can be a decidedly time-consuming process, so you don't want to waste your time creating content that gains little to no engagement. By partnering with Primal, we can help your business design a social media marketing campaign that achieves your goals. We'll help you recognise that social media for local businesses is about starting a conversation with your customers and ensuring they feel invested in your company. As you continue to interact, you'll gradually build a loyal social media following who appreciates your transparency and willingness to directly engage with their comments and concerns.
In the world of local SEO, citations have become of huge significance. But what exactly does managing citations mean? It means you should be utilising a wealth of online resources that allow you to publish your business name, address and phone number (NAP). While most of these citation websites are dedicated solely to NAP information, some outlets also give you the chance to share additional information that could attract the right local customers. If you regularly search for businesses online, you're probably already familiar with the likes of Yelp and Tripadvisor. However, Facebook, Google My Business and Apple Maps are also citation options that you should be making the most of, while a variety of industry-specific pages are also great for targeting a niche customer base.
So what makes citations so important for local SEO? Well, they help your business climb the search engine rankings as you engage with a host of trusted online directories. In a similar fashion to inbound links, Google recognises these directories as reputable sources and is encouraged to give your business a boost within relevant search results. But you'll want to be careful about which citation sites you choose, as you need to keep your information correct and consistent to gain the most benefit towards your local SEO. Luckily, Primal's talented team has an array of SEO tools at our disposal to ensure your citations are managed effectively and produce outstanding results for your business.
If you want to be recognised as one of the top local businesses in your area, having a detailed approach to keyword research is essential. Fortunately, generating targeted keywords that help your brand climb the search engine rankings isn't too difficult, as many local-related searches are going to be relatively straightforward. For instance, if you run a cleaning business, people will be able to find your business if you simply optimise around terms such as "cleaner in Bangkok" or "emergency cleaning service in Bangkok". These kinds of search results are known as service in location (SiL) terms and they can be hugely effective for improving your local SEO results. With Primal, we can ensure your consumers Google local keywords that are bound to deliver search results including your business.
If you're inexperienced in the field of local SEO, developing a robust location-based campaign can be tricky. However, Primal's expert team has a wealth of experience leading effective strategies for numerous high-end local businesses. We'll find a way to leverage industry keywords as we look to identify the words and phrases most commonly used by your target audience. With our help, your business' approach to local SEO will also benefit from our understanding of keyword modifiers as we figure out a selection of terms that your company is bound to rank close to the top of the SERP for. To give your search results a major push within your surrounding area, choose Primal and start seeing the benefits of in-depth local SEO immediately.
If you want your business to stand out amongst your local competitors, you're going to need a strategic approach to on-site SEO. Once you've decided on a selection of vital keywords and optimised your copy, there are a wealth of other changes that will also help push your business up the search results. Although we've covered the importance of having accurate NAP data on external websites, you also have to make sure your business information is correct on your own website. If you fail to keep your NAP information up-to-date, your company runs the risk of losing visibility on search engines.
For a business that operates across multiple locations, you want to make sure each page has unique content. Alongside detailing the benefits of your business, you can also create helpful area guides that are relevant to how your company operates in that part of town. Meanwhile, the SEO for each of these pages should also include location-specific keywords. By creating targeted landing pages for each area your business works within, you'll be able to reach a wide range of potential clients who are interested in the service you offer. If you feature your NAP details on each and every page, you'll have a better chance of ranking as one of the top local businesses in your sector.
In terms of local SEO, schema markup is a supremely underrated tool. Also known as structured data, a detailed approach to schema markup makes it easier for the likes of Google, Yahoo and other search engines to understand important information about your business. Based on the use of vocabulary tags and microdata, schema markup is how business owners can help search engines provide their potential consumers with the most accurate information on the SERP. Although structured data code can look intimidating, with the assistance of a leading digital marketing agency like Primal, we can help your business get started with its implementation.
Schema markup is of great use to local businesses because you can let a search engine know the precise information that each page contains. In turn, this backend code helps search engines categorise your pages and therefore rank them more accurately. Although there a huge number of unique Schema markups, there are some that are especially useful in the local context. For example, you can identify pages that contain your opening hours, contact information, address, logo and the neighbourhoods you serve, while there are others regarding events, accepted currencies and reviews. Primal has a myriad of data-driven SEO tools at its disposal, ensuring we can enhance your rankings and use Google search to its maximum potential.
The needs of your local business website could be dramatically different depending on the industry you work within. However, there are a few key fundamental features you're going to need to ensure your visitors can swiftly browse your products and locate the information they need. First, you're going to want a website that's fast and easy-to-navigate. With research telling us that approximately 40% of your traffic will click away from your website if it doesn't load within three seconds, reducing the file size of your images and optimising your hosting is critical to success. As we also know loading speeds are a factor in how Google ranks websites on its search engine, getting things moving along at lightning pace shouldn't be underestimated.
Alongside the creation of a powerful mobile-friendly website, there's a range of other vital on-page changes that could make a big difference in terms of local SEO. For instance, the rise of chatbots has proven to be incredibly useful as you provide website traffic with essential customer service. In addition, the creation of an extensive frequently asked questions page means people understand the nitty-gritty details behind your business, including important shipping and policy information that helps avoid disappointment. As well as visible social media share buttons, positive testimonials and mentions in local publications, these kinds of changes ensure your audience appreciates why your company is the best in its space.
If your current website is struggling to find local consumers, it's always a good idea to complete an in-depth local SEO audit. This way, you'll form a detailed understanding of where your online presence's strengths and weaknesses are. In fact, it's recommended that businesses undertake a local SEO audit at least once per year in order to stay on top of the rapidly changing nature of the digital world. As search algorithms undergo regular adaptations and new trends emerge, it's vital to know how your approach to content production, on-page SEO and the technical side of things stacks up against your major competition. If your business has been ignoring the importance of local SEO for far too long, we can ensure you manage to catch up and even overtake competitors in your space.
Fortunately, Primal knows how to conduct these audits to the highest standards. Backed by a wealth of specialised SEO tools, we can delve into the inner workings of your website and make a range of informed suggestions to improve your local SEO standards. From a full assessment of your HTML tags and keyword relevance to your overall content quality and backlink strategy, we can ensure more consumers in your location are going to be able to find your business. As we've led SEO audits for some of the biggest names in the business, let Primal take stock of your business' approach to search engine optimisation and we can begin making improvements immediately.
Primal is a renowned local SEO agency that has a thorough understanding of the huge variety of SEO techniques available today. As we live and work in the Bangkok area, our talented team has outstanding insight into the specific needs of local businesses and how they can achieve their goals. With a digital marketing staff of local and international experts, we have an unmatched understanding of the Thai and foreign marketing landscape. Backed by years of experience working alongside a host of leading brands, we understand modern shoppers' search habits and have amassed quantifiable data to help us plan and execute award-winning campaigns.
Having quantifiable knowledge and experience working in the region is what set’s Primal apart from the competition. As we understand the environment that both our clients and their target market operate within, we're able to provide a local SEO service that goes above and beyond our competitors. Whether you want to grow your company’s business locally or regionally, Primal can provide the expertise and services to skyrocket your local engagement to dramatically enhance your bottom line. Give us a call today to start turbocharging your local SEO.
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Local SEO helps businesses promote their products and services to local prospects. Search engines rely on signals like local content, social media pages and links to provide these relevant results.
Even if you're not a brick-and-mortar store, you can still benefit from Google Maps SEO exposure. Simply go to Google My Business and either ‘claim’ or make a new listing.
Formerly Google+, setting up a Google My Business account is straightforward, simply go to google.com/business and follow the steps through creation, verification and content set-up (photos, videos, description, etc.).
Via search engines like Google, Yelp, Bing, Yahoo, Baidu, etc. local SEO helps businesses promote their products and services online to the right local customers at the right time.
For a business to effectively establish local SEO, a Google My Business SEO listing is more important than content marketing, email marketing, advertising, directory listings and social media pages.
If you’re a local business, you must participate in local SEO to capture your percentage of the local market. Remember, local searches account for 46% of all online searches.