Picture this: a customer desperately needs a plumber on a Sunday afternoon. What’s the first thing they do?
They whip out their smartphone and search “plumber near me”. This is where the benefits of local SEO come in. If you’re a local plumber, you want to be at the top of those search results.
A robust local SEO strategy will help customers find your business when they need you most. And we are talking about a lot of potential customers. Research from Think With Google shows 59% of search users use Google to research purchases they plan to make in-store. You’ll be visible right when those high-intent customers are looking for businesses like yours. Let’s explore how powerful this local approach really is.
The benefits of local SEO extend far beyond just showing up first on Google Maps. It’s about creating a seamless online experience for local customers.
What Are The Benefits of Local SEO?
Local SEO offers numerous advantages that can significantly impact your business’s online and offline performance.
Here, we explore the top ten benefits:
Improved online visibility:
SEO activities such as citation and link building help your online visibility to increase, making your business easier to be discovered by potential new customers.
Increased in-store foot traffic:
Greater local visibility will bring in additional foot traffic for brick-and-mortar locations.
Take Advantage of Local Shopping Boom:
After COVID was implemented, over half of consumers now prefer shopping local businesses or smaller brands over larger chains. Local SEO puts you in contention for those opportunities that come up.
Targeted web traffic:
Optimizing your site for local search can drive more targeted web traffic directly to it and can increase leads, subscriptions, sign-ups, and sales.
Increased calls and visits:
Optimizing Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) can result in enhanced Google Maps visibility, leading to more calls and visits in person. This increase can generate calls that result in increased calls or visits in-person.
Establish a position of Thought Leadership:
Content marketing can help your organization establish thought leadership and establish itself as a go-to authority in its field.
Build trust levels:
Reputation management builds trust for business clients.
Boost sales:
Consumers frequently rely on reviews when selecting local businesses.
Improved conversion rate:
Website optimization can boost conversion rate and help increase contact form submissions, phone calls, email subscriptions or sales.
More intense:
Local SEO helps make you more competitive as it prompts you to learn what strategies your rivals employ to stay competitive, then incorporate those tactics into your own approach.
Why Local SEO Matters More Than Ever?
Local SEO is important because it helps businesses connect with potential customers in their area. By targeting local searchers, businesses can attract more relevant traffic and increase the likelihood of conversions. This strategy is especially beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to compete with larger corporations.
Think you’re a hat boutique in Carlsbad, California. A passionate hat lover actively looking for “hat boutique, Carlsbad, California” is your ideal customer. However, the organic search results are populated by big-name brands such as directory sites, top 10 lists, and blogs. This makes it hard to compete and difficult to imagine a route for thehat lover to find her way to your store.
If you’ve got local SEO you’ll be listed in the upper tier of results of a search, as well as on the Local Pack, with useful information like opening hours as well as your contact number and address, a photo and your five-star review score. The passionate hat lover can see you’re near, offer the best service and is able to easily plan an appointment or visit to your store.
Gone are the days when people flipped through bulky phone books to find a local service. Now, over 92.3% of internet users are on their mobile phones browsing for everything from pizza places to accounting firms.
Local SEO is your golden ticket to getting seen by these consumers. Did you know 500% of consumers search for “near me” terms combined with “can I buy”? It’s not just about being visible, though. It’s about connecting with your community and generating brand awareness for your business.
Building Trust Through Local SEO
When was the last time you blindly walked into a new store without checking online reviews first? A striking 97% of people trust online reviews to guide their decisions. They’ve become the new word-of-mouth marketing.
And when it comes to online maps, Backlinko reports that 86% of people turn to them to find local businesses. This means that stellar Google reviews, consistent NAP citations (Name, Address, Phone Number), and local backlinks can significantly increase customer trust.
Think about it: a string of positive reviews on your Google Business Profile can be more convincing than any flashy advertisement. It’s social proof that your business delivers, a major win in the digital age.
Local SEO: A Goldmine For Increased Sales and Conversions
Attracting more local customers is great, but let’s talk about converting those visitors into paying customers. The benefits of local SEO translate directly to your bottom line. Local SEO, unlike traditional advertising, connects you with customers who already have a high purchase intent.
For example, nearly 90% of people searching for local businesses on their phones will either call or visit that business within 24 hours. This provides many business opportunities for those with a good local SEO strategy. It’s a powerful tool for boosting conversions.
This is especially important when you consider that almost 68% of all clicks go to the top five Google search results. You need to be there when potential customers are looking, and local SEO helps make that happen.
Consider this table comparing traditional marketing and local SEO conversions:FactorTraditional MarketingLocal SEO
As you can see, focusing on a strong local SEO approach gives your business a powerful advantage when it comes to turning leads into paying customers.
But it gets even better. When you consistently apply local SEO principles, you’ll notice a domino effect. Increased traffic to your site can also translate to higher organic rankings. That’s free advertising that keeps working long after your initial optimization efforts.
Standing Out In A Crowded Market: How Local SEO Helps
Small and medium-sized businesses often find it challenging to compete with major players on a national or international scale. But guess what? The playing field becomes much more level in the local search arena. Local SEO levels the playing field.
It lets you hone in on a specific geographical area and connect with potential customers in your own backyard. This means your bakery in Chicago isn’t directly competing with a national chain— you are simply catering to the needs and cravings of local Chicagoans.
This focused strategy ensures that your marketing efforts reach the people most likely to walk through your door. Think of it as marketing laser focus. This strategy not only helps maximize your marketing dollars, but also solidifies your brand’s presence within the local community.
Riding the Wave of "Shop Local"
The pandemic sparked a major shift in consumer behavior, with over half actively choosing to support smaller and local businesses. There is an increasing appreciation for local craftspeople, unique stores, and personalized services, something bigger chains often can’t replicate.
Customers are willing to go the extra mile – or rather, stay within their neighborhood – to support businesses that resonate with their values. This trend of “shopping local” isn’t going away anytime soon.
Integrating locally relevant content, partnering with other local businesses, and participating in local events shows that you’re more than just a business— you are an active part of the community. People want to connect with businesses that feel authentic and genuinely invested in their community.
And guess what shows search engines you’re serious about your local audience? Building links with other reputable businesses. Creating evergreen, localized content can help achieve just that.
My Summary
We live in a fast-paced, hyper-connected world where consumers turn to their smartphones for nearly everything. Your online presence isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about capturing those crucial moments when potential customers search for solutions.
The benefits of local SEO extend beyond vanity metrics. It’s about getting those calls, walk-in visits, and bookings. So embrace the power of local and watch your business thrive.
FAQs
What’s the Biggest Mistake Businesses Make With Local SEO?
Many assume that just having a website is enough. They underestimate the power of a Google Business Profile, online reviews, citation building, or even local directory listings. Ignoring these can cost valuable traffic. Imagine a delicious restaurant tucked away on a quiet side street. Amazing food, great service but almost no online presence.
Sounds like a missed opportunity, right? That’s what happens when you overlook the benefits of local SEO.
How Do I Know If My Business Needs Local SEO?
If you serve a specific geographic area and rely on local customers, you NEED it. Whether you’re a yoga studio, a dentist’s office, or even a local contractor, any business can reap significant rewards with the right local SEO strategy.
Think about where your customers come from. Are they primarily located within a specific radius? If so, a good local SEO strategy can help with this. Local SEO ensures that those local customers easily find your business amidst the sea of online information. It’s no longer a nice-to-have; it’s essential in today’s market.
Is Local SEO Expensive?
It’s an investment, not an expense. While you can hire an agency or freelancer to manage your strategy, there are plenty of free or budget-friendly ways to get started. There are many ways to improve local SEO without breaking the bank.
Remember: every little step counts towards achieving a better local search presence. And the return on investment can be significant, especially in the long run.
Is local SEO profitable?
A strong local SEO strategy can help boost the growth of your business particularly when businesses take note of the intent of their searches. It can enhance your online presence, target hyper-relevant traffic, build trust, and generate a positive impression, especially for mobile users who are more likely searching with an intent to buy.
Share:
