What is Local Search?
Imagine you’re hungry. You open your phone and search for “pizza near me.” The restaurants that pop up at the top of your screen are winning at local search. That’s what we want for your business!
In essence, local search is about making sure your business shows up when people look for you.
How to Get Found Locally
First, claim your Google My Business listing. This is like your online business card. Make sure it’s complete with your name, address, phone number, website, and photos. Additionally, encourage customers to leave reviews.
Furthermore, be consistent. Use the same name, address, and phone number everywhere. This helps search engines trust your business.
Next, optimize your website. Use words people search for, like “best pizza in [your town]” on your website. Moreover, ensure your website looks good on phones.
In addition to optimizing your website, encourage reviews. Happy customers? Ask them to leave a review on Google, Yelp, or other sites. Positive reviews consequently make people trust you more.
Similarly, use social media. Share local news, events, and photos. Also, interact with people in your area.
Finally, build relationships. Get to know other local businesses. You can work together to reach more customers.
Lastly, check your rankings. Use online tools to see where your business shows up in search results. Then, make changes if needed.
By following these steps, you can significantly improve your local search visibility and attract more customers.
Example:
Let’s say you own a pet store. To improve your local search, you would:
- Create a Google My Business listing with your store’s name, address, phone number, website, and photos of cute pets.
- Make sure your website says things like “best pet supplies in [your city]” and looks good on phones.
- Encourage happy customers to leave reviews.
- Share photos of adorable pets and local pet events on social media.
- Partner with a local dog park for a pet adoption event.
Remember: Local search is about being visible to people near you. By following these steps, you can help more people find your business and become customers.
