The battle for consumers’ attention is as fierce as it can be in today’s highly digital world. But that doesn’t mean small businesses can’t make their mark in industries with bigger players that have relatively deeper pockets. With SEO and SEM strategies, small business owners can stand out and capture the attention of their target audience.

However, if you’re a small business, capturing your local area first before gearing up for world domination is best. After you perfect your approach and build your base locally, you can scale up your efforts and work your way outwards.

Sounds easy, right? But if you’re a small business owner unsure where to start, don’t fret! Just keep reading to learn more about the importance of local SEO and practical tips to help you stay on top of the search results in your area.

The Importance of Local SEO Strategies for Small Business

Working on a solid foundation in your local area is crucial for business success. Here are two key reasons why prioritizing local SEO is a must:

Closer Target Audience = Low-Hanging Fruits

The audience in your immediate community is more likely to be converted into actual paying customers. Those within your area could have a higher intent to purchase, seeing as they have one less barrier to purchase, which is distance. Plus, you also have the added advantage of the fact that more and more consumers are leaning towards supporting local businesses due to various reasons, from stimulating the local economy to better services.

Strong Foundation for Growth

To achieve the level of global business success, you need a strong foundation in your immediate community. When you’ve established a loyal customer base and built a profitable and credible brand, you’ll be in a much better position to expand into new markets.

The learnings that you will acquire when you work on your local SEO strategy will form the base you need when you start marketing to other areas. You’ll know which elements of your current strategy you need to tweak or localize while staying true to your brand identity and principles. You’ll also be confident and experienced enough to know that your small business has what it takes to thrive even in a highly-competitive global market.

Dominate Your Area’s Search Results: Top 3 Best Local SEO Practices

Here are three of the most practical and effective ways you can dominate the local search results:

1.    Create an Optimized Google Business Profile

To help you rank higher in the most popular search engine in the world, you need to create a Google Business profile. Making your listing is completely free but the returns can be so rewarding. However, it’s important to remember that you still need to invest time and energy in maximizing your listing. Make sure it has up-to-date information, photos, and your complete contact details. Simply put, you need to make it easier for consumers to find and reach you!

An optimized profile means the search engine’s algorithm will be more likely to rank your website and profile whenever a customer searches using relevant keywords in your area. Plus, you can ask happy customers to leave a positive review on the platform to help build your brand’s credibility.

2.    Create Content Relevant to Your Local Audience

Content is a key element of any local SEO strategy. Research relevant keywords that your local target audience is searching for. Then, make sure to craft content that they’d want to see. For example, if you own a bakery in Pittsburgh that specializes in custom cakes, some keywords you may want to optimize your content for are “Pittsburgh custom cake” or “custom cakes in Pittsburgh.” Targeting such keywords when you create content helps improve the visibility of your website. This can increase the likelihood of attracting organic traffic from the target audience in your area.

3.    Make Sure Your Website is Optimized for Mobile Users

A mobile-friendly website is an essential component not just of a local SEO strategy but SEO in general. An increasing number of consumers use smartphones and tablets to search for nearby businesses, get directions, and research products and services. This means, if you want to take over the local SEO game, a website optimized for mobile devices is a definite must-have.

Here is a quick checklist to see whether or not your website is optimized for mobile devices:

• Fast-loading website
• Optimized or compressed images
• Easy-to-navigate menu
• Clear CTA or call-to-action

Remember: fortune favors the prepared, so stay ready with these helpful tips and best practices. Dominating your area’s search results doesn’t come easy, but if you have an excellent product or service, the world should definitely know about it! And it starts with local SEO.

Need expert help with your local SEO game? Get in touch with Pittsburgh SEO Services to learn more about how you can take over the local search results and achieve your business goals.