You might think that you don’t have to worry about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) because your business is local, not national or international. After all, people searching for your type of business will probably find you anyway, right?
Wrong. Local businesses need to be just as concerned about their SEO as any other business. Here’s why.
Most people turn to the internet to find local businesses
No one uses the phonebook anymore. When was the last time you even saw one? Instead, if people are looking for a local business, they will search online.
And what do they see when they do that search? A list of businesses, in order of relevance to their search terms. The higher up your business list is, the more likely people are to click on it.
But how does your business get ranked?
The easiest way is to use a local seo company that specializes in getting you to the top of the list. But there are also things that you can do on your own, like making sure your website is optimized for local searches and that you have listings on all of the major directories (Yelp, Google My Business, etc.).
The thing to remember is that even if you are a local business, you’re competing with all of the other businesses in your area – and they might be paying attention to their SEO. Don’t get left behind!
It’s not just about getting people to your website
Even if you get people to your website, that’s not the end of the story. Once they’re there, you need to ensure that your website is easy to use and navigate and that it provides the information they’re looking for.
If your website is hard to use or doesn’t have the information they need, they’re going to click away and find another website that does.
You also need to make sure that your website is mobile-friendly. More and more people are using their phones and tablets to search for local businesses, so if your website isn’t designed to be used on those devices, you’ll lose many potential customers.
You need to make your business stand out from the rest
Unless you’re the only business offering the service you do in your community, chances are you have some competition. And if you want people to choose your business over the others, you need to ensure that your marketing is on point.
Search Engine Optimization is just one piece of the puzzle – you also need to ensure that your website is designed well, that your social media accounts are active and engaging, and that you’re doing everything you can to get your name out there.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you don’t need to worry about marketing just because you’re a local business. The truth is, if you want to be successful, you need to do everything you can to get noticed – including paying attention to your SEO.
Conclusion
If you’re a local business and your website isn’t in the top three search results, you’re losing out on many potential customers. Invest in good SEO practices and make sure that your website is designed well, mobile-friendly, and easy to use. You’ll see a difference in your bottom line.
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