When you search for related businesses in your area on Google, does your business appear at the top of the search results? A massive chain is likely on the top of the list instead of your locally owned business. This can make it difficult for you to compete when your potential customers are looking for your services. However, you can still improve your visibility.

Local search engine optimization is a subset of search engine optimization (SEO) that focuses on increasing the visibility of a local business in local search engine results. The results that show in local search results often answer a "near me" intended inquiry, implying that the searcher is looking for something "in [your city]"—or the search engine has recognized that the search includes geographic limits.

Businesses may use local search optimization tactics to enhance their presence in these local search results for phrases related to their business and their products or services.

This article will run you through everything you need to know about local SEO.

Why Is Local SEO Important?

When someone conducts a routine everyday search, the likelihood of Google displaying local companies nearby is high.

What is the significance of this for small businesses? Google reported a 900 percent rise in searches with the keyword "near me today/tonight" from 2017 to 2019. Google began giving more results for geographically-related queries based on their proximity, relevance, and prominence to satisfy the demands of its searchers better.

If your business is close to where someone is searching, offers services or items they may be looking for, and has optimized local business listings, you are more likely to be found online by possible clients.

How Can It Help Your Business?

Back in the day, it was practically hard for small businesses to stay afloat on the internet, where national names ruled. This is why people didn't spend much money on the internet while traditional methods worked just fine. 

The first version of Google's Pigeon update was introduced in 2014, allowing local businesses to compete for search results geographically. Google began to target nearby companies to enhance their ranking in location searches.

It enables businesses to reach out to their target audience in their local area. It is simple to optimize. All SEO specialists have to do is create backlinks to local event websites and use location-specific terms in keywords to assist you in achieving a larger footprint in your community. When local visitors search for your service or product, your ranking position rises, resulting in additional foot traffic to your store.

Here are other ways it can help your business:

• Reach Your Local Customers: According to Google, 76% of people who do a local search online visit a store's physical location within 24 hours. Out of those searches, 28% of those result in a purchase.

• Target Your Customers When They Are Actively Searching: Local search can assist you in filtering out searchers who are unlikely to contact your company. This isn't because search engines attempt to protect companies from customers, but because they aim to give relevant local results based on location and purpose. 

• Cost-Effective Marketing: While managing your company information in online directories takes time and work, you can often set up local business listings throughout the web for free. Consider using tools like Google My Business and Facebook to make local SEO a more cost-effective alternative for online promotion.

Conclusion

Local SEO is crucial for businesses. It allows companies to rank higher in search engine results for location-based searches, resulting in increased foot traffic and higher sales. Additionally, local SEO can help businesses to stand out from their competitors and attract more local customers.

Are you looking for an SEO company in Scarborough to improve your local SEO? Distinctive MS is driven to provide clients with a powerful, cost-effective solution that works. Give us a call today to learn more!