[ad_1]
Concerned about your local business’s online reputation?
Are you happy with the reviews?
Wondering how you can better meet your customers’ expectations and get closer to five stars?
Online reviews could make or break your business, especially in the smartphone age of on-the-go research.
On June 8th, I moderated a webinar with Marc Hansen, Podium’s Chief Revenue Marketing Officer, and Kelley Knott, Co-Founder of Intrepy Healthcare Marketing.
Hansen and Knott showed how to stay competitive, get ahead of benchmark research, and win customers before they walk into your store.
Here is a summary of the webinar.
To access the entire presentation, complete the form.
What is local SEO?
Local businesses rely on their online presence to thrive, with 97% of users searching for local businesses online.
And when we say local business, we are talking about companies with a physical presence.
Local SEO is search engine optimization for local marketing.
How does Google determine local search rankings?
Relevance: Connect searches to answers. Distance: The searcher’s proximity to your business. Prominence: Online reputation for your business.
[Discover how to win in local SEO] Access the webinar instantly →
Local SEO Myths
Many small local businesses still don’t believe in the power of SEO. The truth is, when you have a small marketing budget, you should consider SEO.
Let’s look at some myths that hold most businesses back.
Myth 1: Organic search and local SEO are the same thing.
FACT: Organic SEO is based on the relevance of search terms. Local SEO, on the other hand, is based on location signals.
Myth no. 2: Reviews are “nice to have”.
FACT: Reviews are a “must have”.
Myth no. 3: The way consumers discover the business has not changed much in recent years.
FACT: The way consumers discover your business is changing. You should too.
Myth no. 4: Consumers want the “best” and are willing to travel to get it.
FACT: Consumers want “the best” and they want it close.
Searches for “best burger” were up 400% year over year.
“Near me” or “nearby” searches grew more than 900% over two years.
Myth no. 5: Print and online advertising drives in-person visits.
FACT: Local smartphone searches drive in-person visits.
A pretty window display just won’t cut it anymore. When a consumer’s top priority is quality and convenience, your online reviews will speak 1,000 words.
[See what consumers are looking for aside from convenience] Access the webinar instantly →
Myth no. 6: Google prioritizes top-ranking businesses, regardless of whether they are local or not.
FACT: Google prioritizes local businesses in local search results.
Now that we’ve debunked these myths, it’s time to optimize your local SEO.
6 best practices for local search
The following simple steps can help you get the most out of your local search listings and attract better reviews. Make sure you complete these best practices! The more qualified customers you attract, the more likely they will have a great experience.
1. Verify your location
More than 70% of all searches go through Google. This means that Google will often list verified results higher than ones they are unsure about.
How to verify your listing:
Verify by phone, email or post. Please review all information for accuracy or any last minute changes. Please note that you cannot update your business name until the verification process is complete.
2. Add high quality photos
Businesses with profiles that include photos see 35% more clicks than profiles without images.
Additionally, listings with photos receive 42% more driving directions requests.
[See what your profile should include] Access the webinar instantly →
Consider these best practices:
Optimize all photos for both desktop and mobile devices. Prioritize taking attractive photos of your business, products or services. Add metadata to each image to improve your ranking without making keywords directly visible.
3. Keep your Google Business Profile (GBP) up to date
did you know 31% of consumers say they are more likely to look at a local business’ GBP listing before visiting than before the pandemic.
Information required for your GBP listing:
Who you are (name, website, company description, category, attributes, date of opening, photos). Where you are (address, service area). When customers can visit you (opening hours, holiday times).
Screenshot of the search for [Primary Children’s Hospital]Google, June 2022[Find out how to be consistent with your listing] Access the webinar instantly →
4. Use keywords
Location keywords are powerful because 72% of consumers searching for a local business visit a business within 5 miles of their current location.
How to use keywords to your advantage:
Use keywords in your description wherever you can, while still making it sound natural. Start with Service in Location (SiL) (add [in “your location”] to all your products or services). Use a keyword generator tool if you’re having trouble getting started.
5. Increase and manage your online reviews
Reviews influence consumers a lot. 88% say reviews make a difference in their decision to try a new business.
In addition, consumers are willing to travel further and spend more to patronize a business with a higher rating.
[See the statistics] Access the webinar instantly →
How to increase total number of reviews and average rating:
Ask for feedback via text message. Create a Google review link shortcut. Respond to both negative and positive reviews. Use a reputation management platform.
With these local SEO best practices, you can refine your listing and attract more local customers. Reach them when and where they’re looking for what they need.
By managing your local SEO correctly, you increase the likelihood of attracting engaged customers who leave happy. When they do, don’t let the relationship end.
Request a review.
6. Respond to reviews
Using a reputation management platform, you can start engaging with reviewers to continue improving your reputation.
[Learn the best way to respond to reviews] Access the webinar instantly →
[Slides] Local SEO: The Best Ways to Get Higher Quality Reviews
Here is the presentation:
Join us for our next webinar!
8 ways to end the silo mentality and increase business agility
Are the teams in your organization communicating effectively when it comes to SEO? Learn how to get your teams together to catch problems before they hurt your rankings and bottom line.
Image credits
Featured image: Paulo Bobita/Search Engine Journal
[ad_2]
Source link
