What Is Local SEO?

Before we delve into the benefits of local SEO, it’s important to have at least a basic understanding of what local SEO actually is…..

Local SEO, also known as Local Map SEO, is a relatively new type of SEO that is slowly becoming a dominant force in the SEO world. It uses localized keywords, optimized content and links tied to your Google My Business (GMB) profile. There are various strategies and elements involved in a Local SEO campaign.  Here are just a few:

Local SEO Optimized Content:  Content is king in the world of SEO and localized content draws new local customers

• Updated NAP- Name, Address, and Phone number of your business.
• Link-building and other engagements through your GMB profile.
• Geotagging of images: We even squeeze as much of that valuable “link-juice” out of the images on your web pages

According to Forbes, roughly 30% to 40% of potential customers find nearby local businesses through Google maps. Local SEO allows your business to develop a strong map visibility and leverage this opportunity.

Benefits of Local SEO for Small Business

Let’s have a look at some of the biggest benefits of local SEO for your small business website.

1. Reach More Local Customers

At its base, SEO is mainly about digitally marketing your business online. Which means it’s job is to get you more customers. The main goal of local SEO is to improve your business ranking in local search results. This will of course brings in more local visitors to your online business profile which in turn will be converted to sales.

2. Find Customers Actively Searching For Your Products

As we speak, potential customers are actively looking for the products or services that you offer. Local SEO will connect your business with these “hungry” customers who are currently in the discovery phase.

When done correctly, local SEO will improve your website rankings and reveal your business to more relevant customers and boosting sales.

3. Increased  Traffic

SEO is at its core is about delivering more traffic to your website. While ,obviously, not all of this traffic will be converted to sales, the more traffic the more sales. More visitors to your site usually means an equal increase in sales (pretty simple math).   Also, boosted traffic organically spreads the good word about your business.

4. Reach Your Target Audience

Since Local SEO uses geo-targeted keywords to market your business, it dramatically increases the chances of providing an improved reach to your target audience. This basically means that potential customers searching for products and services you offer will discover your business and be guided to your website.

5. Improved Conversion Rates

Conversion means turning your online traffic into leads or sales.  Local SEO for small business is essential to boosting your website conversion rates. This is because local SEO brings in relevant local traffic that has already shown interested in buying  your product. Because of this, your sales opportunities increase as do your conversion rates.

6. Beat Your Competition

Imagine two companies selling the same products in the same local area.  The only difference being that one has a heavily optimized local SEO online presence while the other still only relies on traditional marketing efforts. Which one of these companies do you think today’s customers will be attracted to these days?

One of the benefits of local SEO is that it allows your business to gain a sustainable competitive advantage that boosts your position far ahead of your competitors in the field.

7. Increased Overall Brand Awareness

Another one of the benefits of local SEO is increased brand awareness.  Potential customers searching for your products with your keywords will find your business at the top of the search engines. The more they see your website, the more your company’s brand awareness will increase. This improves the chances that they will click your website or even search for your business by name in the future.

8. Reduced Customer Acquisition Cost

One of the major advantages of local SEO is it’s low cost compared to other types of marketing like advertising. In fact, much of it you can potentially do yourself if you have the time. However, if you are uncomfortable with your website coding and content optimization, your better off hiring a local SEO company to help you. This is an important investment in the building your brand and company as a whole.

9. Maintain Long-Lasting Rankings

Another one of the benefits of local SEO is that its effects last alot longer.  Unlike the older traditional marketing where your advertisement’s impact only lasts for a short time, local SEO results tend to be more long-lasting. While you do need to maintain your business details to keep your local SEO optimized, once you’re ranking high in the SERPs, you are very likely to keep that position for a long time.

Though there are no su7ch things as guarantees in marketing, as long as you maintain your  efforts, you should achieve long-lasting results.

10. Ongoing Business Growth

Focused local SEO work is always targeted towards driving more traffic while boosting your search engine rankings. This results in increased sales and business leads. Increased sales bring in more customers which creates an efficient self-sustaining cycle of growth for your business.

So, if your plan is to grow your small business, You should invest resources into local SEO because today it is a key metric of success.

The Last Word On Benefits Of Local SEO

For your business to succeed,  small businesses today need to marshal their efforts towards efficient marketing practices. Investing in local SEO has proven itself to be one of the best ways small business can get showcased and attract more targeted local customers.

At Launch Local SEO, we fully understand the power of local SEO for small business success and have help companies reach their full digital marketing potential.

Contact us today and learn more about our Local SEO Services and get a free website analysis.