Many small businesses rely on local sales in their surrounding community or city. Such small businesses count on their website to convert local online visitors into customers. However, ignoring local search engine optimization (SEO) can keep local customers from finding small businesses on the web in the first place. If you are not currently optimizing for local search, incorporate these 3 tips into your 2016 strategy.
Verify Your Directory Listings are Consistent
Directory listings are used to categorize local businesses and make it easier for consumers to find products and services in their area. With so many different directory listings on the web, it isn’t uncommon for information to get misconstrued. You may find that your old phone number is still listed in one directory or that your business name is incorrect in another. These inconsistencies can negatively affect your SEO and branding. We recommend utilizing the free Moz Local tool to review and update your directory listings.
Create and Optimize your Local Places Page
Do you have a local place listing on Google? Chances are even if you did not set one up, one was created for you. If you were not the one that created your listing, information may be incorrect. That is why it is important that you conduct a search and claim your listing if you do not already own it. Optimize your listing to include accurate information, images, and a link to your website. You can get started optimizing your listing on the Google My Business homepage.
Optimize Your Meta Data for Location
Meta Data refers to several specific HTML tags on each page of your website. These tags, the Meta Page Title and Meta Page Description, are used to communicate to search engines what your web pages are all about. They also provide the content that shows in search results. You can increase your chances of turning up in local search results by including your location in your page title or page description.
For example, if you are a pizza shop located in New York City, your Meta Page Title may look something like this: Gourmet Pizza | Joe’s Pizza Place | New York City
You can also incorporate your location in your Meta Descriptions, like this: For the best New York Style pizza in New York City, visit Joe’s Pizza Place in SOHO.
If you need assistance with optimizing your website or digital marketing strategies for local SEO, please contact Informatics. Our team of SEO experts would be delighted to help you grow your online presence.
View the other Small Business digital marketing blogs from this month:
4 Ways Your Small Business Can Get the Most Out of Social Media
6 Must-Have Email Features for Small Businesses
Top 5 Things Small Businesses Should Blog About
