SEO for local businesses, five reasons to hire a Local SEO expert. Gone are the days when a TV, billboard, or radio ad was enough to draw people to your local shop. Instead, we're in the internet age, when smartphones and social media rule. So if you want to lead online search rankings and be in first place in potential customers' minds, you need a local SEO expert to help you get there.
Many small businesses view SEO, or search engine optimization, as an extra expense they don't need. At the same time, other business owners are taking full advantage of SEO. Unfortunately, if you're in the first category of business owners, you're being left in the digital dust. SEO has the highest return on investment. Quick Web Designs estimates that the average ROI of SEO services is $2.75 for every dollar spent, or a 275% ROI. At this point, any organization with a website not investing in SEO is far behind the curve.
Do you want to boost your online exposure, increase website traffic, and drive more local leads? Here's a rundown of the top reasons to hire a local SEO expert and to use SEO for local businesses.
Let's get started!
1. A Local SEO Expert Helps with Targeted Marketing
One of the biggest reasons to hire a local SEO expert is to increase your chances of being found in local online searches.
Consumers conduct local searches to find specific businesses or services, or products. So if you use local search strategies, you can more effectively promote your offerings to local buyers when they are on the prowl for your kind of business. And that's the best time to connect with potential customers -- when they desperately need you.
2. Beat the Competition with Google My Business
Are you listed on a free listing called Google My Business? If not, or if you don't know anything about this listing, don't worry -- a local SEO expert can help you with it.
Google offers this listing for virtually every business, like getting onto the VIP list for the year's biggest concert. As a result, you'll boost your likelihood of appearing high in customers' local Google search results. And that's enough to make you want to sing.
This page is valuable because customers can post reviews saying how much they love your business. The more customers rate your company on this online directory, the more credibility your business will have. Also, the more positive reviews you receive, the higher you'll rank on Google, as these reviews are a significant factor in companies' local SEO rankings.
Many local companies have yet to figure out the value of online marketing. That's why Joe the Plumber, up the block, or Sally the Beautician down the road still don't even have websites up and running.
This statistic is excellent news for you, as it means you can get the head start you need with SEO before your competition wises up and begins to take SEO more seriously.
3. An Local SEO Expert Ensures Return on Investment
With traditional advertising, such as direct mail, leaflets, and local newspapers, wasted exposure is unavoidable. But when you use SEO for local businesses, you don't have to worry about wasted exposure.
Low-cost local SEO allows you to reach consumers who genuinely need you, making it cost-effective and efficient. In other words, you get more bang for your buck.
Remember the Yellow Pages from back in the day? Local SEO is a lot like the digital version of these pages.
Instead of turning yellow pages to find a home remodeler, most local customers now turn to Google, type in "home remodeler" and "near me" or their city name, and push "Enter." Then, Google produces local businesses most relevant to the search.
The question is, is your business coming up as the most relevant in your industry?
Going back to your Google My Business page, what's so great about this directory is that you can select the categories you want your business to be associated with. You can also offer a description of your business that incorporates keywords. But, of course, all of this affects the search results.
4. Rise of Mobile
The local newspaper is quickly becoming the way of the dinosaurs: extinct. Research shows that local papers have lost 80% of readers during the past two decades.
Why? Because an increasing number of people are getting their local information from the World Wide Web these days. When it comes to commerce, they're using their tablets or mobile phones to find the top local businesses while on the go.
For instance, a customer who desires a cupcake might look up a local dessert shop on her smartphone while walking downtown during her lunch break. If your cupcake shop doesn't appear in the list of relevant shops, you've missed a valuable opportunity to get a guaranteed customer. And nothing leaves a bad taste in your mouth like a lost sale.
Fortunately, a local SEO expert's services cover mobile and PC internet access, so you never have to miss out on potential customers.
5. Tip-Top Conversion on Other Online Directories
Google My Business is a great resource, but other online directors are crucial in your marketing strategy.
For instance, you've probably heard of Foursquare, Citysearch, and Yelp. These directories display companies' names, addresses, telephone numbers, and extra information, including business descriptions or restaurant menus.
Local directories take over most local search results' first pages. So, by using these types of directories effectively, you can quickly generate more leads and then convert these leads into customers.
Nothing works like local SEO when generating buzz around your business in the local marketplace.
How Our Local SEO Expert Team Can Help
As part of our top-notch internet marketing services, we offer access to a tried-and-true five-phase SEO marketing method. We also feature a team of experts with over 20 years of experience to solve your local SEO problems and answer your questions, whether they are major or minor.
In addition, we provide around-the-clock access to a unique, user-friendly client dashboard that offers plenty of essential data about your business site's visitor analytics and marketing projects.
We take marketing your business seriously. So get in touch with SEO experts near me to learn more about how our local SEO expert services can drive you to first place in today's competitive marketplace.
