Local SEO

Local SEO can prove to be the key marketing method for any business focusing on their local geographic area.

As with all areas of SEO, implementing local SEO is a constantly evolving process and factoring in these 3 key areas can be vital.

Location Is (Almost) Everything

For some time Google has tailored search results to the precise location of the person making the search.

However, Google is now taking this a step further by reducing the radius of the returned results to ensure that businesses based close to the person making the search will be given preference to those based further away.

This reduction in search radius is great news for anyone based away from the city centre as they now have a much better chance of showing up in locally based search results depending on the location of the searcher.

Mobile is Now a Clear No. 1

Avoided mobile marketing until now has been a mistake and this mistake is only going to grow in size.

With significantly more searches being completed on mobile devices than desktops and laptops, Google is now taking this very seriously.

This is in no small part due to the fact that because Google is now to determine a mobile user’s location with accurate precision, they can take the required steps to provide the most relevant results.

Reputation Is Essential

This is really nothing new. Since the beginning of trade, the reputation of a business has played a key role in their ability to grow.

With many business owners still finding customer reviews (and in particular negative ones) an annoyance which they do not take seriously, they are making a major mistake.

Both Google and potential customers take these reviews VERY seriously and it doesn’t take much homework to realise that online reviews show up frequently for all to see.

Not only does the volume and level of reviews help to build trust with your customer base, it is also a key signal to Google regarding the level of trust they should place in your business.

Contact Us

If you would like a chat about your website, please give the Footprint Web Design team a call on Tel. No. 01883 372488 today.

Currently Browsing: 3 Key Trends Shaping Local SEO

It’s easy to forget just how important SEO can be for businesses. Just ask yourself how often you find yourself looking for the best Italian restaurant in your area or a plumber in your local area? If you are making online searches like this, just imagine how many other people are doing precisely the same thing.

If your business doesn’t target its local areas, particularly if you offer a range of services designed to be available within a particular area, you are potentially missing out on a huge amount of custom. Not only that, there is a very strong possibility that your competitors are a step ahead of you.

What is Local SEO?

To tap into an audience based in and around your local area, a technique known as ‘local SEO’ can prove to be invaluable. What exactly is local SEO though?

Essentially, the premise of local SEO is based upon using specific techniques to help push your website further up Google rankings for local search results.

For example, if you are a driving instructor in Surrey, achieving a high ranking for the following terms is very likely to prove beneficial for your business:

• Driving instructors Surrey
• Driving school Surrey
• Driving lessons Surrey

How Will This Help?

Whilst the more visible your business becomes the better, there are a number of other reasons why the implementation of effective SEO techniques can help your business.

Below we have outlined 3 of the most important.

1 – Creating Other Ways For People To Find Your Website

The creation of additional listings such as citations can play a key role in ensuring that your business gets plenty of visibility on the internet. Free business listings such as those available on Yell, Yelp, Thomson Local etc can play a key role in helping to offer additional options for people looking for your services.

2 – Increased Web Traffic

Whilst it is true that the amount of traffic coming to your website isn’t the be all and end all of SEO, it cannot be forgotten that without any visitors, your website is not going to be very productive!

The more visitors to your website = the better the chance of lead generation and revenue.

3 – Enhanced Customer Insight

Any successful business person will understand that the level of service they offer their customers is all important. Poor service will result in bad feedback, customers who do not return and no chance of recommendations.

The implementation of local SEO techniques will play a key role in opening up the channels of communication. Whilst no-one wants to hear negative comments about their business, some of the feedback which is receiving can be absolutely invaluable.

Contact Us

If you would like a chat about your website, please give the Footprint Web Design team a call on Tel. No. 01883 372488 today.

Currently Browsing: 3 Ways SEO Can Help Your Business

Local SEO is important. It has been for many years and will be for many more. If your business focuses on a local area, tapping into this can be the difference between the success and failure of your website.

However, it is essential to remember that achieving high ranking local search results requires the implementation of specific SEO strategies.

Changes in Google’s ranking algorithms are frequent and the past few months have seen the following

• Reduction from Local 7-pack to a 3-pack
• Increase in importance of online reviews
• Penguin 4.0
• Google dashboard updates
• + Many more

This all pulls together to ensure that effective local SEO requires a varied approach and should be left to the professionals!

Local Search Is Harder Than Before

With 7 slots up for grabs in the first page Google Maps listings it used to be fairly simple to achieve a first page ranking. However, as these numbers were reduced, finding additional ways to optimise both your website and your Google Maps listing has become harder and more important than ever before.

It was not too long ago that simply claiming and optimising your businesses ‘Google My Business’ listing would likely be enough to obtain a high ranking but with the drop from seven slots to three slots, local businesses are facing much stiffer competition.

Your Locations Is Still Hugely Important

Google knows precisely where the person making an online search is based at the moment they make their search. It is this location that impacts the specific results that show up in the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).

Google is now beginning to take this further by narrowing down the radius of the displayed results to ensure that locally based businesses (and therefore more relevant businesses) obtain higher rankings.

This is good news for businesses that are located away from the centre of a town/city as this is helping to level the playing field with businesses who have a prime location.

Your Reputation Is Still Crucial

This is not exactly a newsflash! There can be no doubt whatsoever that businesses have been trading off their reputations for many years. The consumers addition of reviews to your website, your Google Maps listing, your Social Media accounts and your directory listings can play a critical role in helping to shine a light on the level of service that your customers can expect to receive.

Please Note – Not only do these reviews play a pivotal role in the way your business is viewed, they are also a key signal to Google whether your business is trustworthy – or not.

Contact Us

If you would like to put your website in the hands of a company who will take it forward, please contact Footprint Web Design on Tel. No. 01883 372488 today.

Currently Browsing: 3 Factors That Are Shaping Local SEO

Local SEO has always been important but with Google reducing the number of local search results from 7 to 3, the importance of employing the safest practices is now absolutely essential.

Google’s decision to reduce the number of Maps listings is linked directly to mobile search results. The “Three-pack” search results now ensure that desktop search results mirror those on mobile by providing additional space for map results and reviews, but obviously results in reducing the number of listings which can obtain these top rankings.

Please Note – It is very important to remember that these search results are often based on the location of the person making the search. Therefore these “three-pack” listings are highly likely to change very often.

Below we have outlined 2 of the most important ways to maintain those all important positions.

No. 1 – Never Underestimate The Power of Reviews

As a part of the updated algorithm, Google has removed much of the information that was previously displayed. Whilst precise addresses now rarely display, one aspect of the listing that has remained intact are the starred reviews remain. Therefore, any business hoping to crack the top three listings and enhance the traffic through them needs to make sure they’ve got a regular flow of reviews genuine reviews.

No. 2 – Focus Your Key Terms

Trying to make your business a ‘jack of all trades’ is no longer a viable option. As people become better at narrowing their searches, you no longer need to focus on all encompassing keywords in order to drive traffic. For example, rather than targeting the term ‘plumber’, ‘emergency plumber’ could be ideal.

Still a little unsure if these listings can help your business? Check out the details below for further confirmation.

What Are The Benefits of Obtaining a Google Maps Listing?

The benefits of having your business listed on Google Local include:

• Google Maps listings typically appear at the top of the search results pages. Therefore they are very likely to be the first thing that people see.
• Accessing Google Maps listings on a mobile phone or smart device will offer customers an easy way to either call your business or get directions to your location.
• Offers easy access to the impartial ratings left by current and previous customers. This can go a long way towards giving new customers confidence in your products and services.
• Potential customers visiting your listing are very likely to be local to your business. This can offer a definite advantage over businesses based further afield.

To find out more information relating to local SEO practices and how we can help to promote your business, please contact Footprint Web design on Tel. No. 01883 372488 and we will be happy to help.

Currently Browsing: It’s Never Been More Important To Focus on Local SEO