There can be little doubt that a ‘Local SEO’ campaign can prove to be highly effective for any small or medium size business which places a premium on targeting customers based in their local area.
Despite the effectiveness of this strategy it is still one that is not commonly offered by SEO agencies and we strongly believe that this is a mistake on their part.
Below we have identified some of the key aspects of local SEO for you to view.
No. 1 – Identify the Right Keywords
Identifying and targeting the right keywords for your campaign is one of the most important parts of local SEO. Thankfully, the guess work is removed
from this process by the presence of the Google Keyword Planner tool.
You can adjust the settings of this tool to allow you to view the keywords which are most searched for in your target area and we recommend using keywords which accurately describe the products or services that you are offering such as boiler repairs Oxted, plumbers Oxted.
Please Note – To access the Google Keyword Planner, you must have a current Google Adwords account.
No. 2 – Add a Blog To Your Website
We strongly recommend that all local businesses add a blog to their website which is regularly updated with new content. Google places a great deal of value on regularly updated websites and by adding content in the form of blogs which are created to be informative whilst targeting the right keywords, you will make it much easier for search engines to accurate assess your website.
You also have the option to link posts to other pages on your website which will help to improve the linking structure of your site.
Please Note – Sharing blog posts via Social Media channels offers a great way to promote your content and drive new traffic to your website.
No. 3 – Include Your Business Address and Phone Number
It is absolutely essential that websites display the business name, address and phone number on all pages. This is crucial part of any local SEO campaign but one that is commonly overlooked.
Please Note – You must ensure that the details are displayed in text form rather than an image to allow search engines to read the relevant details.
No. 4 –Submit Your Details To The ‘Right’ Directories
This often comes as a surprise to many people but the importance of online directories should never be overlooked. Whilst it is unlikely that many people with access to a computer would turn to a hard copy of a directory such as the Yellow Pages, online directories are more popular than ever.
Not only does the submission of your business details offer another avenue for customers to visit your website or access your contact details, it also offers further confirmation to the search engines that your business does everything that you claim.
Please Note – Continuity is vitally important. Even using St and Street on different directories as part of your address will dilute the effectiveness of each citation.
If you would like to find out how to take your local SEO strategy further, Footprint Web Design have been at the forefront of web design and development for nearly 20 years. If you are looking for a website that truly represents your business, or advice on how to make your site stand out, then contact us today on 01883 372 488, or via email at info@footprint.co.uk.
