What is local SEO and It's Simplified Process?

Have you ever searched for hotels or driving schools near you? If yes, you are no more a newbie in this subject. Let me surprise you with a local SEO stat that 90% of smartphone users use their search engine's to shop locally. Thanks to Google for bringing this ultimate change for helping small business owners in local to stand out from the massive crowd. This is going to help you collaborate more with local customers whenever they need your service.

Why do you need to focus on Local SEO?

This is something to concentrate on the very beginning of your business because of your customers relying on the internet while locating your business information or searching relatively for that matter.

1. 46% Google search is about local
2. 60% of Smartphone users use their phone to search for a service or product’s availability within their city
3. 76% of local searches result in phone calls
4. 50% of the customers who did local search visited the store within 24 hours
5. 78% local searches in mobile generated an offline sale
6. 50% of the local search was about NAP
7.  37% of Business in your city has claimed local listings with Google

How can local SEO benefit your business?

These submissions can be visible on the first page of local Google search results. So, local submissions serve as a great way to reach the top and you can see unlimited free traffic being diverted towards your site.

• Improves sales and website’s traffic
• This is a great non-paid ad and results in good ROI
• Improves your online authority
• You can get important inbound links that help you to enhance your Page Rank and also your search engine ranking
• Your Brand gets recognition
• Builds a healthy relationship with your locals
• Most of the consumers who find you on the first page of Google are likely to opt for your products once they become aware of your location
• Local business listing helps you in gaining qualified leads as you will get more clients from your local area
• This enhances your business revenue and also the customer base

Things to consider while using Google My Business?

• Register your business Google My business
• Find local listings websites who helped you out when you search for an electrician near you. Those are the exact websites you need to prioritize for the organic traffic you expect
• Provide your details, image, and address to the listing professional and make your presence. 
• Follow the guidelines of your local online directory in order to make your registration successful. It is simple and less technical.
• Don’t forget to ask your customers to review your business in Google

Pro Tip: 

Customize your link: Get your website's link customized with an effective keyword. More helpful if you use your city name too.

Monitor your keywords: Always monitor your keywords performance using an analyzer tool for better results Ex: https://xxx.com/getaway/getaway-shoes-canada

Optimise your Meta description and Title Tag: Use rich title tags relevant to your business and the audience you target.

Run a Mobile friendly Test: If you own a website, make sure it is mobile compatible. If not, don't wait any longer make it adaptable with all mobile devices. Don't get left behind knowing that Google's search results are all about enhanced user experience. 

What do you need for local listings registration?

All you have got to do is to step inside the mind of the searcher and convince him to do business or a purchase with you. This is not going to work just because you’re close to his location, but with certain reliable factors, such as

Business name: If You want your customers to remember you anytime provide your listing with your right business name.

Logo: A high-quality logo either in png or jpg form (some directories even gives you provision to upload gifs) will help you stand out from other business owners in your industry.

Trusted contact information: Business email or phone number verified by your local listing directory will build more reliability and trust in your business.

Locatable business address: You can add your business more efficiently by using Google Earth or Google Maps whatever works in enhancing the search experience.

Website URL: This influences a lot on making the decision about choosing you instead of another service provider. Don't have a website for your dream business, we got you. Get customized clone scripts with 40% discount tailored for you now!

Small description of your business: This can be about the types of services you excel or any value propositions.

Social Profiles: This is not mandatory, just in case you need more fans bragging about your brand. again This might be helpful when your audience finds it as an effective way to connect with you.

Images: products or service images or even your office set up makes a great difference. Behind the scenes, photos have changed the status of many brands today. Something you can consider to take a stand.

Payment mode: Say if the customer who had business with you has forgotten to draw cash but is still willing to buy the product from you, this might turn into a predicament for both of you. But I tell you this can be avoided when you have already mentioned that you process any online banking facilities so that he or she might draw cash before making that purchase.

Things you should make a note about:

1. Do this because it is simple and less time-consuming.
2. You don’t require much technical knowledge or an SEO expert to get this done. 
3. Engage your users then and thereby responding to their comments and questions every now and then to establish a sense of assurance. 
4. Ask your nephew or you yourself follow the procedures by sitting in a corner and get the best out of local SEO.
5. Get yourself a spreadsheet with this information to save your time.
6. Your working or open hours, certifications or awards,
7. Local listings are very effective, plan accordingly and do not overdo it.
8. Once you complete all these simple yet most effective tips you're all set to get your business listed.

15 top local listing sites in India:

•          Google

•          Bing

•          Yahoo

•          Yelp

•          Grotal

•          Indiamart

•          Justdial

•          Asklaila

•          Yellowpages

•          Start local

Source: https://www.coursecrown.com/blog/free-local-business-listing-sites-india

wait, this isn't over!

What was the last search you made at Google? let us know using the comments.

References:

http://www.internetlivestats.com/

https://www.business2community.com/