Conventional SEO is the name of the game when it comes to most businesses. If you want to take your website to the top of the search rankings, you might be focusing more …
Conventional SEO is the name of the game when it comes to most businesses. If you want to take your website to the top of the search rankings, you might be focusing more on the traditional tactics and techniques that can help you take your website to number 1. This can include expanding your online presence to target the widest possible consumer base. Often, in a bid to expand, businesses overlook the importance of local SEO. Times have changed and local search engine optimization is the way forward if you want to stand out in the crowd.
When a person enters a search query in Google, Google presents results that are located nearest to them. Unless that person wants to shop online, location does matter. If your website shows up in the local searches, there is a good chance that more people click on it and enter the sales funnel, from where you can work on them to convert them into loyal customers. And this is not the only reason why you should focus on local SEO in 2017. Here’s a look at 5 more reasons:
- Savvier Consumers
The proliferation of internet into the business world means that consumers have access to more information than ever before about each brand. They are in a position to make informed decisions and they use that position wisely. Don’t expect a person to click on your site just because it shows up first. People today prefer searching for solutions online and if your online presence is weak, you are likely to miss out.
- Lower Competition
Believe it or not, despite the hullabaloo over local search engine optimization, many businesses are still opting for conventional tactics. Hence, the level of competition you face in local SEO is considerably low as compared to nationwide or worldwide. Therefore, it makes sense to invest more on establishing your presence locally.
- Cost-Effectiveness
Local SEO will prove more cost-effective. You don’t have to break the bank in order to achieve higher rankings. You can keep your investment to a minimum and still attract more traffic. Moreover, since local traffic gives you a better chance of conversion, your return on investment will be higher as well. As compared to other online marketing channels you might use, local SEO can give you a higher return on investment.
- Mobile-Friendliness
As they say, there is an app for virtually everything now, and the data these apps use is taken from local listings, especially Google My Business. More people today use apps as compared to mobile browsers, and going local with your SEO efforts can help you make your presence felt there. This is also a way to future-proof your business’ online presence, as mobile is here to stay.
- Google’s Approval
As mentioned at the top, Google has changed the way it presents search results. This change has been driven by a change in user behavior and you can expect Google to keep evolving their methods and algorithms to serve their users’ needs in the best way possible. Google prefers local results and is more likely to display them higher on the list. As a result, local businesses have a distinct advantage over larger companies, because the contact information that appears with the search results will appear familiar to the person who entered the search query.
So, as you can see, there is more than enough reason for you to seriously consider directing your marketing budget towards local search engine optimization. The chances of success are greater, the effort and budget required is lower, and you are likely to face less resistance.