Local search is highly underused in spite of being one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies. But with search engines giving greater importance to the physical location of the users, the importance of local search is increasing. Some simple steps can make your local search strategy more effective.
Optimize your profile
Optimization of your profile is not limited to ensuring correct names, addresses and contact numbers. Inclusion of helpful business descriptions and customized fields in your profile can significantly increase your search visibility. Ensure that your descriptions have optimum keyword density and you can also provide map with your location details. Inclusion of good images, videos and up-to-date information can make your local search strategy much more effective.
Maintain local directory listings
Listings in local directories are useful for local link connectivity. Ensure that your business is correctly listed in Yahoo Local, Bing Local, Google Places, Citysearch, Yelp etc.
Encourage customer reviews
Customer reviews are very effective for building trust of potential customers as well as for improving search engine rankings. A survey conducted by Nielsen confirmed that 70% of users trust customer opinions in online reviews. Ability to generate customer reviews demonstrates to search engines that you are actively and effectively serving customers.
Monitor your performance
Keeping a track of your performance is important for further improving your strategy. Integrate offline tracking methods like coupons with online tracking. Find out existing traffic figures and the average business coming from various locations. You can also take help of a SEO company in this regard.
Presently, sites optimized for local search have a competitive advantage but it won’t be long before a majority of websites start employing this strategy.