Local SEO – Small businesses should use local SEO

Small businesses should use local SEO strategies especially when people are looking for additional health and safety information related to COVID-19. Think about what you do with your smartphone: how often do you search for information about stores, restaurants or events in a particular location? Searches such as “restaurants near me,” “hotels in New York,” or “auto repair dc” are considered local searches. Businesses should prioritize local SEO strategies to increase their chances of appearing in search results pages for their destination. Small businesses should use local SEO strategies to boost their search engine rankings, especially for mobile search. If a company has a strong presence in local search results pages, many consumers will use that as motivation to visit local websites. Because younger consumers are more likely to use their phones for quick searches on the go, companies targeting a younger audience can make the most of a strong local SEO presence. Small businesses that optimize their website content and use key Google features to provide useful information about their business can increase traffic to their stores. Nearly half of Google’s search queries are local, highlighting the value of having a presence at the top of search results pages for SEO agencies and businesses targeting local audiences. Small businesses that prioritize local SEO strategies can connect with mobile users, build a local customer base, generate traffic and increase sales. While there is a difference in mobile usage between younger and older generations, Visual Objects found that consumers of all ages are likely to look at a company’s online presence first before visiting in person: 77% of consumers under 35, 90% of 35- to 54-year-olds and 87% of consumers over 54. Matt Kalik, director of SEO at search engine marketing agency Delante, agrees that it’s important for small businesses to start with the basics when planning their local SEO strategy. The more useful information a company can offer customers at a glance on a search results page or website, the more likely they are to visit. Local SEO strategies to attract customers, along with a positive in-store experience, help small businesses increase sales.