Introduction
The customer buying journey has changed significantly since the internet and Google have come about. Long gone are the days where the only way to advertise your business was flyers in the mail or traditional billboards. Think about the last time you bought something.
What was one of the first things that you did? Likely visited Google. The search to find what you were looking for began with a search engine. Sadly, most local businesses have not put two and two together local SEO can increase your profits.
In this article by the Cindtoro team we will dive into the various reasons how local SEO actually increases profits and hopefully convert you into a believer of using this marketing method to grow your business fast and efficiently.
What Is Local SEO?
Local SEO is the process of optimizing a business’s online presence to improve its visibility in location-based search results, mainly Google Maps and Google Search. Local SEO focuses on helping businesses within specific geographical areas reach more potential customers as they are searching for related products or services.
Difference Between Local and Traditional SEO
If you are in the know about SEO you likely know there are a few different types of SEO. However if this is your first time hearing about search engine optimization We’ll break the two down for you.
Local SEO
There are some pretty big differences between local and traditional SEO. The main difference is where search results appear. Local SEO is primarily focused on ranking in the Google Map Pack. This is a coveted spot that all business owners attempt to get into. It takes serious effort to be number one but if you are lucky enough to make it here you will see very quickly how fast local SEO can bring in new business.
Here is an example of the Google Map Pack:
Google rankings in the map pack are governed by: user proximity, the “near me” search and customer reviews to name a few.
Traditional SEO
Traditional SEO by comparison is also governed by some of the same things however it is less review heavy. Traditional SEO will focus on the positions outside of the map pack.
They look like this:
Both types of rankings are an important part for local SEO increasing your revenue as some search queries will show your businesses Google Business Profile and others will show the standard search results like above.
To really drive the point home here is a side by side comparison:
Why Local SEO Matters for Businesses Targeting Local Customers
The ability to perform well in local search is highly relevant for anyone who has a business targeting a specific geographical area. When you don’t show up number one, two, or three you are significantly harming your online visibility and overall ability to generate new business online. If you do not rank for (Service + Geographical Area) or (Product + Geographical Area) you will never bring in the new local business you desire.
How Local SEO Can Boost Your Revenue
Local SEO has some pretty amazing benefits to increase your profits frankly too many to count. The Cindtoro SEO team distilled some of the best ways it can help your business. We will explain in their own sections.
- Increased visibility in Google Maps and Search
- Attract High Intent Buyers
- Build More Trust
- Enhanced Mobile Optimization
- Cost Effective Compared to Ads
Increased Visibility in Google Maps & Search
When you start doing local SEO for your business you will rank for local keywords and appear in the local search results more frequently. This increase of visibility will then lead to an increase of more walk-ins and inquiries about your products or services.
Attracting High-Intent Buyers
Did you know that the people who are searching for a local business are high intent buyers? Did you know that according to Google 76% of consumers who search for “near me” visit a business within a day. You have the ability to reach people who are looking for what you have to offer right now. All you have to do is know how to reach them. This is where local SEO comes into play.
Building Trust Through Online Reviews
To maximize the benefits of local SEO it requires that you have your Google reviews dialed in. if you provide a great product or service this will not be a problem at all. Satisfied customers will leave positive reviews that you can respond to and this will then also help your local SEO. More high quality reviews means more customers AND high conversion rates.
Mobile Optimization = More On-the-Go Sales
Google has been turning increasingly mobile. Local searches are done mostly on mobile phones. This means more “on the go sales” When a potential customer is searching for a product or service you need to show up at the top to capture their attention and win their business.
Cost-Effective Compared to Paid Ads
We are not saying that digital ads are not effective. When performed by a qualified marketing agency like Cindtoro (who is also a Google advertising partner) ads are highly effective. Local SEO can increase your profits by providing an additional way for customers to reach your business.
If you are in an industry that is not as competitive, local SEO can be a cost efficient way for your business to reach new customers without having to spend a ton of money on ads.
We should however note that this requires a lot more time and energy then it may seem SEO needs to be worked on continuously for it to really work. Hence why business owners use SEO companies. Your website needs to be optimized for it to really shine!
What You Should Be Expecting To Happen
If you get started with local SEO there are a few things that you should be expecting to happen. These will be some of the tell-tale signs that local SEO is working for your business. You may have all of these things happen or just one or two.
- Phone call
- Direction requests
- Form fills or bookings
- In-store visits or purchases (if trackable)
- Increase in local rankings
Conclusion
Local SEO is essential to drive revenue to your business. Without a steady stream of new clients your business will experience a decline or may fail entirely. You cannot afford to take the risk to not market your company. Remember if local customers cannot find you they are buying from your competitor.
Cindtoro is here to help you beat your competition on search so they use your services not theirs. Ready to take your SEO to the next level? Get in contact with our team, explore our services or get an SEO audit to get started.