Local search engine optimization (SEO) borrows techniques from traditional SEO to secure higher rankings for a website. The difference is that compared to traditional SEO’s broader approach, local SEO focuses on increasing a business’s visibility in a specific region, area, or city.

There are some specialized local SEO solutions that can be more useful than other forms of digital marketing. Practices like location-based content optimization, keyword research, Google Business Profile optimization, and link building help sites appear in region-specific search results. If you want your site to rank on the first search results page for “near me” and location-based queries, you need local business SEO services!

Get started with the basics of local SEO by watching our explainer video, then join us as we take a deep dive into what local SEO is all about.

What Is Local SEO?

Local SEO involves strategically increasing a business’s visibility in local search engine results. Generally, search engine optimization is meant to rank a business higher on the first search engine results page (SERP). In doing so, this digital marketing practice brings more online attention to businesses in various industries.

But local SEO is different from traditional SEO in several ways. It doesn’t just aim to improve overall rankings for global searches. Instead, it takes a more focused, location-specific approach. It aims to boost a business’s visibility in and around the region it operates in or wants to target. This is important because nearly 46% of all Google searches have local intent!

Users also don’t just search for local businesses, they often visit or call the businesses that appear in search results within the same day. So, if you want to target nearby customers, you need local SEO.

Take this search query for example:

When a user searches for “BBQ restaurants near me,” they’ll get results based on their precise location. Search engines like Google have algorithms that use users’ GPS-enabled locations to determine which results to show them.

Now, if you have a BBQ restaurant in New York, your business should show up in the first few results for the query discussed above. How do you make that happen? With local SEO solutions!

Traditional SEO vs. Local SEO

While the ultimate goal of all types of SEO is to rank a business higher on search engines, local SEO still has some unique challenges.

Let’s take a look at the key differences between traditional and local SEO.

Why Localize Your Business? — Outsmarting the Algorithm

Google and other search engines use three factors to determine which sites show up in search results:

• Proximity, i.e., how close the searcher and the business being shown are
• Relevance, i.e., how closely the business matches the search intent, and
• Prominence, i.e., how credible and well-known a business is.

If you want to pass all of these criteria, you need to optimize your business website using local SEO solutions. As an online business owner, your goal should be to rank among the first 5–10 results for every search query relevant to your business. This is where your potential customers go to find you since users can enable their location and get results based on their area.

Search queries related to your business and specific region should lead nearby customers to your business directly.

According to local SEO experts, this can only be possible if you have a business website and a Google Business Profile. Why? Take a look at the results for the query “Karaoke bars near me New York” as an example:

Notice how only Google Maps listings and websites appear in the results? This is because a professional website and Google Business Profiles are arguably the most critical elements of digital marketing.

When your business is officially listed on Google Maps with a verified profile, it gains credibility and visibility. Additionally, your business website has a significant influence on how your online audience feels about your brand.

So, make sure to build a good website, or hire our website developers to set up a professional one for you. You can also put your business on the map, literally, by creating a Google Business Profile. (More on this below!)

Personalizing Online Rankings — How Local SEO Works

Once your business website is ready, you need to make sure users in your area can see it. There are multiple components of local business SEO that help achieve this goal. Let’s discuss the major ones:

Keyword Research

Keywords are king in the world of digital marketing and SEO. Keywords are the primary indicator that search engines use when determining the credibility, quality, relevance, and ranking potential of web content.

Take a look at the search results for the keywords “dental implant:

All of the search results highlight dental institutes and medical businesses. These web pages appeared in the results because they’re credible, informative, and most importantly, keyword-optimized.

Incorporating the right keywords into the content on your website allows search engines to “crawl” it more efficiently.

Longer keywords that contain town/city names or phrases like “near me” are the holy grail of local SEO. These are the searches every localized business wants to rank high for. You can achieve higher rankings with thorough keyword research.

For long-lasting results, consider enlisting the help of local keyword research service providers.

Google Business Profiles

As discussed earlier, Google Business Profiles are a critical element of local SEO. Formerly known as Google My Business (GMB) listings, these profiles allow your business to appear in location-specific search results.

Even if you only sell products or offer services at a physical location, having a verified Google Business Profile can still be great for your business.

Think of it this way: imagine you sell premium jewelry at a store in Dallas, TX. A potential buyer looking for the “best jewelry stores in Dallas” does research on Google and comes across the following results:

The first few results will always lead the user to relevant locations listed on Google Maps. Without a Google Business Profile, your business will fail to target any online customers in your area.

Collaborate with a local business SEO company to set up a Google listing for your business. The process is simple, allowing you to claim a location on Google Maps with just a few clicks. This makes it easier for the right customers to find your business, gauge its legitimacy, and access contact information.

Take this fully set up Google Business profile for example. It gives online users a complete, helpful overview of a restaurant, with quick and easily accessible details.

On-page Content Optimization

Creating social media accounts, blogs, and Google Business Profiles is only half the work. The other half is optimizing these platforms for better rankings and visibility.

You can do this by creating high-quality, keyword-optimized content for your website. Publishing informative blogs, articles, how-to guides, product descriptions, etc. on various web pages helps your site rank for location-specific keywords.

This is because blogging makes search engines more likely to “remember” or index your site. In fact, research shows that sites with blogs tend to have 434% more indexed pages than those without blogs! When your site has more indexed pages, it’s more likely to appear in search results for relevant queries.

Have a look at the search results below:

In this example, you get to see a variety of results for a basic research query.

The first result leads users to a directory citing various high-rated bathroom remodelers in San Diego. The second and third results lead to location pages on related websites, and the last result is an informative blog about a related topic.

Despite being different types of web pages, each result is relevant to the user’s query. Why? Because each page features content containing the keywords used in the search query!

Remember, most web users (approximately 75%) also never go past the first page of Google, meaning your website won’t gain much visibility unless it ranks on the first SERP. Optimizing the written content on your web pages can help you achieve this goal.

This is why local SEO services rely heavily on web content optimization and marketing. It’s a genius practice that helps you cater to local online audiences by putting region-specific keywords on your site.

Local Citations and Listings

Another impactful tool of local SEO is local citations and directory listings for your business.

A local citation is any mention of your business’s name, location, and phone number (N.A.P.) online. When listed on credible sites, local citations help online audiences find your business through region-specific sources.

There are two main types of local citations:

• Structured citations, i.e., listings organized and arranged in a specific format
• Unstructured citations, i.e., listings which mention business information in an informal way without using a proper template.

Here’s what a structured citation on Yelp looks like:

These listings significantly boost your business’s online visibility and search engine rankings. They give online audiences all the information they need to locate your nearby business.

Unstructured citations, as shown below, also contribute to your online rankings despite being unorganized.

This example still mentions important information about the business even though it doesn’t follow a proper format. Search engines can extract this information to assess the prominence and credibility of your business. They can analyze the information mentioned in local citations and rank your business higher due to its legitimacy and authority.

You can leverage the power of local citations by submitting your business to local directories and reaching out to authoritative third parties in your industry and region.

Region-Specific Link Building

Local link building refers to the process of acquiring high-quality backlinks from authoritative and nearby sources in your industry. A backlink is any hyperlink on a third-party website that leads to your business site. The clickable text that contains the outgoing link is called an anchor text.

For example, this excerpt from a blog hyperlinks to several pages. The anchor texts contain relevant keywords like “sensitive teeth” and “gum disease,” providing credibility to the linked sources.

Getting backlinks by authoritative third party sites in the same industry and area can significantly boost your local rankings. This practice is an integral part of local SEO services since it helps build credibility for your site.

To leverage region-specific link building, you can collaborate with other nearby websites to generate quality content. Start by searching for credible websites in your industry and region online. Reach out to them with a proposal for content creation. Many third-party sites accept guest posts, so use guest blogging services to take advantage of link-building opportunities.

Start Ranking In Your Region with Our Affordable Local SEO Services!

Having a curated online presence is essential for every online business. But are potential customers in your area even aware of your services? If not, then it’s time for you to level up your local SEO game!

As your trusted and affordable local SEO provider, Global-marketing Inc. offers tailored solutions that generate impactful results for your business. Despite your industry, our experts can tailor their local SEO optimization services to address your digital marketing goals.

We conduct site and company audits, come up with suitable action plans, and set up monitoring measures for each unique project. When working with us, you’ll be involved every step of the way. So, hire our local SEO services today! Just fill a form to get started.

The post How Local SEO Works and Why It Matters appeared first on Global-marketing Inc..

Ding! That’s the sound of another missed opportunity.

Every time a potential client searches for a contractor in your area and you don’t appear in Google’s coveted top slot, you’re handing business over to your competition. Now, we know generosity is good, but nobody in their right mind should be this generous.

What if you could swing the digital pendulum in your favor? We’re living in an era where a strong online presence is as essential as the sturdiest foundation you lay. And here’s the kicker: achieving stellar online visibility is less about figuring out complex algorithms and more about understanding your local clientele.

If you’ve been laying bricks and wondering why you’re not laying digital tracks at the same time, this is your wake-up call. It’s time to grab your digital toolkit and drill deep into the bedrock of local SEO solutions.We’re ready to show you the way!

1. Understand Google’s 3-Pack

If you’ve ever tapped into Google to find a local business or service, you’ve probably come across a compact box showcasing three businesses at the very top of the search results. This is the illustrious Google 3-Pack; it’s a critical component of local search.

Let’s quickly consider an example before we delve deeper.

Let’s say a web user searches the web for “best contractors in NYC.” This is a local search with local intent, i.e., the web user is looking for businesses in their location. Google Maps plays a big factor in local searches. You won’t just fetch generic results; you’ll fetch map-driven results that help you find exactly what you’re looking for within the confines of your preferred destination.

What would the search results look like in this case? Here’s a glimpse:

This is Google’s Local 3-Map in a nutshell. It shows up every time a local search is run. If your construction firm targets specific towns, cities, or states, this is for you. Launch a power-packed local SEO service plan with a focus on Local 3-Map optimization, and your rankings will skyrocket. Ignore it, and all you’ll hear is crickets.

If you’re new to all this, don’t worry, we’re about to take the reins for you. Our local SEO providers will carefully walk you through the top strategies and help you dominate Google’s Local 3-Map. We’ll also touch upon the importance of turning to an experienced local SEO firm for professional local SEO services. By the end of this blog, you’ll be equipped with the right knowledge, resources, and direction needed to play your ace. Let’s get the ball rolling!

2. Build a Strong Foundation with Google Business Profile (GBP)

You wouldn’t build a home without laying a solid foundation first, would you? Similarly, in the digital realm, contractors aiming for the coveted Google 3-Pack must start with a robust Google Business Profile.

Think of GBP as the concrete foundation that supports your online presence. GBP creation and optimization is a part of every star-studded local SEO service package (even affordable local SEO service plans).

2.1. What is Google Business Profile?

Google Business Profile, formerly known as Google My Business, is a free tool offered by Google. It allows businesses to monitor and manage their online presence across Google and its associated platforms. Think of it as a snapshot of who you are, what you do, where you’re located, how customers feel about your services, and so on.

2.2. Laying the Local SEO Foundation with GBP: Steps for Contractors

1. Claim & Verify: Start by claiming your business on Google. Verification is a simple process; follow the instructions to a tee and wait for a postcard containing a unique code to be delivered to your business address. This step is critical; it tells Google you’re the real deal.
2. Detailed Information: A successful foundation requires precision. Fill out every possible detail on your GBP: your full business name, address, contact number, hours of operation, website URL, attributes, and so on. Contractors must specify the type of contracting work (e.g., residential, commercial, plumbing, roofing) to provide clarity to potential clients. Your local SEO company can help you with this.
3. Use High-Quality Images: First impressions matter. Upload high-resolution images of your projects, team, and equipment. Showcasing completed projects is an excellent way to instill confidence in prospective clients; you’ll give them a visual taste of your craftsmanship. Advanced Builders & Contractors is an excellent example. Their GBP is filled with relevant photos neatly categorized into various categories (e.g., exterior, interior, street view, etc.).

4. Regular Updates: Just like you’d maintain a foundation to prevent cracks, keep your GBP updated at all times. Whether you’ve expanded your services, adjusted your hours, or moved to a new location, ensure your profile reflects these changes.
5. Encourage Reviews: Word of mouth often takes the form of online reviews in the digital age (more on this later). Prompt satisfied clients to leave positive feedback on your GBP. Actively respond to these reviews (both positive and negative) to showcase your commitment to client satisfaction. Joel & Co. Construction is known for taking the time to craft personalized responses to client reviews.

This is a great way to develop a bond with your audience. When you engage with a client, they feel valued, seen, and validated. They’re not just another customer anymore; they’re a part of your business community. This level of interaction goes beyond a transactional relationship and fosters a deep connection.

And you’re not just pleasing your audience; you’re also pleasing Google. Google strives to provide the most relevant and valuable information to users. When you respond to reviews, you add more context and information to your business listing. This enhances the user experience by giving potential customers a better understanding of your business and how you interact with your clients.

The outcome? Sweeter rankings.

6. Utilize the Posts Feature: GBP allows you to create posts about updates, offers, or events. If you’re offering a seasonal discount on home renovations or hosting a DIY repair workshop, post about it! This is a great way to engage and inform your audience directly. If you’re new to GBP, don’t worry. Work with local SEO providers who can take the reins for you.

Recommended Read: How to Completely Optimize and Promote Your Google Business Profile Page

3. Steal the Show with Local SEO Content

If Google Business Profile is your foundation, local SEO content is the dazzling architecture that makes passersby stop and admire.

This is your opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and give your audience more than just a brief, impersonal glance at your services. It’s your stage, your spotlight, and the microphone is all yours.

But what exactly is local SEO content, why is it so important, and why should it be a part of your local business SEO service package?

3.1. What is Local SEO Content and Why Does It Matter?

Local SEO content is content that specifically resonates with your local audience. This is where you move away from generic terms like “best contractor” and explore targeted, local keywords like “top roofing contractor in Chicago.”

The goal is to craft content that speaks to local interests, needs, and queries. Local SEO content provides information that’s not only valuable but also geographically relevant.

Why? For starters, people love local content. They’ve evolved past the point of wanting general information. When browsing, they’re not just looking for “how to fix a leaky roof.” Instead, they want to know the “best methods to fix a leaky roof in Seattle,” especially given Seattle’s unique weather conditions.

This sense of locality in content creation adds a personal touch; it’s a nod to the audience that says, “I understand where you’re coming from.”

Secondly, Google, with its astute algorithms, also loves local content. It recognizes the importance of serving pinpointed results to its audience. Google cares about relevance, and what’s more relevant than serving geographically accurate content in response to localized queries?

By peppering their content with local keywords, contractors are essentially conversing in Google’s preferred language. For instance, a piece focused on “desert landscape-friendly constructions in Arizona” is far more likely to top SERPs than a more general “desert-friendly constructions.”

Google loves precision, and local SEO is the epitome of precise content targeting. As a rule of thumb, always hire local SEO services that come with local SEO content creation, optimization, and marketing.

3.2. How to Create Local SEO Content

Mastering the craft of local SEO content isn’t about reinventing the wheel; it’s about understanding the terrain you’re navigating. For contractors, this means developing a keen awareness of local needs, nuances, and narratives.

Here’s how you should go about it:

1. Understand Your Local Audience: Before you hammer the first nail, make sure you know exactly who you’re building for. Dive deep into local issues, preferences, and needs. Conduct surveys, engage in local community events, and have informal chats with your clients to understand their pulse. An experienced local SEO firm can help you with audience research.
2. Keyword Research with a Local Twist: Once you understand your audience, start researching keywords that resonate with your local audience. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to identify high-ranking local keywords for your unique industry and audience.

We also recommend focusing on long-tail keywords with local identifiers like “roof repair in [city name]” or “[city name] kitchen remodeling services.”

3. Address Local Issues: As a contractor, your services are intrinsically tied to your target region’s physical and environmental challenges. Identifying and recognizing these challenges can be the cornerstone of your content strategy.

Maybe your area frequently encounters natural events like floods, hurricanes, or earthquakes. These events can present various housing concerns like foundation cracks and damaged roofs.

By understanding these issues and crafting local content accordingly, you’ll offer immense value to your audience. For instance, writing an article about “Preparing Home in [City Name] for Hurricane Season” will inform and educate your audience.

It’s important to remember that different cities and regions have different construction codes, permits, and regulations. Offer insight, clarifications, or updates on these regulations to provide clarity and showcase your expertise.  An example? “Navigating [City Name]’s New Building Codes for Residential Areas.”

We also recommend keeping abreast of local tastes and preferences in home styles and resonations; these vary from place to place. Maybe barn-style homes are trending in your region. If so, request your local SEO provider to create content accordingly. Or perhaps there’s a surge in demand for sustainable constructions.

Similarly, the availability of certain construction materials may vary based on the region. If there’s a scarcity of a particular resource in your area, create content around alternative materials or methods, e.g., “Alternatives to Hardwood Flooring in [City Name]: What Homeowners Should Know.”

See what we’re talking about? The more experienced, skilled, and knowledgeable your local SEO company, the better. You won’t have to instruct them; they’ll take care of all the legwork themselves.

4. Highlight Local Projects: Nothing speaks louder than your actual work. Showcase recent projects in the area. A detailed case study, before-and-after images, or client testimonials can authenticate your content while making it highly localized.
5. Integrate Local News and Events: Stay updated with what’s happening in your vicinity. If there’s a local housing fair or a construction exhibition, create local SEO content around it. Similarly, if a local news segment highlights increased property values, curate content discussing home improvements that can further elevate property worth.

By syncing your content with local narratives, you’ll improve your SERP rankings and resonate deeper with your community. This is a great way to prove that you’re not just another contractor; you’re a community member in tune with local happenings, trends, and concerns.

Recommended Read: Real-Time SEO Content Writing: A 7-Step Process for Everyone

If you want to create engaging, insightful, and high-quality content that wows your audience, consider hiring a local SEO company that provides professional local SEO services.

When the pros take the reins, your content will be informative, unique, creative, and compelling. It won’t just predictably walk readers through run-of-the-mill insights in a boring fashion; it’ll weave a gripping story that keeps readers glued to their screens till the very end.

Anyone can provide knowledge. But providing knowledge in an engaging and creative manner is an art very few have mastered. When you work with an experienced local SEO firm, you’ll achieve a masterful local SEO content balance that engages and converts your audience.

And nobody knows how to pepper content with the right amount of expertise, creativity, innovativeness, and keywords better than Global-marketing Inc.! Explore our content marketing services to see what we can do for you.

4. Reviews: Let’s Chat About Chatter

In the bustling marketplace of the digital age, where every contractor claims to be the best in the business, there’s a more subtle yet powerful currency at play: chatter.

While you’re busy with beams and bricks, a parallel construction project is in the works online, built with words and experiences. This is the world of reviews.

4.1. Why the Buzz Matters

We’ve all been there. At some point, everyone has hovered over a purchase online and scrolled down to see what people are saying about the product/service.

Similarly, before a homeowner or business entrusts you with renovating their sacred space, they’ll dig into your reviews to see what previous clients have to say about your work, work ethic, customer service, and so on.

Whether it’s a full-blown story or just a star rating, every review shapes audience perception.Before that first handshake or exchange of blueprints, trust is established online. Positive reviews act as digital character references; they vouch for your skill and integrity.

Just like you’ll check reviews before hiring a local SEO services company, your clients will do the same with you. You must be prepared for that moment.

4.2. Nurturing the Review Ecosystem

The modern contracting world isn’t solely about bricks and mortar; it’s also about the bedrock of trust, and trust is often cultivated from the seeds of reviews.

Here’s how you can nourish and grow this vital aspect of your business:

1. Ask, Don’t Assume

The art of acquiring reviews often starts with a simple ask. While your work may leave clients speechless (in a good way), they may not always vocalize their satisfaction online. A gentle reminder post-project can make all the difference.

Personalize your request: recount a memorable moment or aspect of the project when asking. This is a great way to demonstrate your genuine involvement and prompt a more detailed and personalized review in return.

2. Make It Easy

Time is a commodity for everyone. If you request a client leave a review, streamline the process for them.

Provide direct links to your review platforms or even offer a QR code on a business card to remove potential barriers. Additionally, offer a brief guide or pointers on what the review could cover, e.g., timeliness, quality of work, or communication.

This will help simplify the process for them and fetch comprehensive feedback. It’s like feeding two birds with one scone! Your local SEO provider can help with this.

3. Respond with Grace

In the digital age, dialogue is ongoing. Engaging with your reviewers isn’t just courteous; it’s pivotal.

For glowing reviews, a personalized thank you can reinforce client relationships. For critiques, pause and understand the root of the concern. Address feedback openly and professionally to demonstrate a commitment to excellence.

It’s important to note that prospective clients don’t just read the initial review; they also go over the response. Think of the latter as a window into your ethos.

In some cases, construction businesses also fall victim to false reviews and ratings. These may be generated by competitors aiming to tarnish your reputation or just by random individuals. While the reasons vary, the outcome remains consistent: significant damage to the business’s credibility and, in turn, loss of potential clients.

Let’s delve into an example:

This rating could have done significant damage had the business not intervened. Mia’s response is a template for how businesses should handle such situations. She was polite, concise, and straightforward. There was no aggression, just a simple statement of facts.

This approach is critical. When addressing a potentially fake review, always remain calm and professional, research internally to ensure the claim is false, and provide clarity. While false reviews will turn away potential clients, they’ll also upset Google. The outcome? Your chances of appearing in the Local 3-Map will go down.

Stay on top of your game to keep both customers and Google happy. We also recommend taking some time to ensure your local business SEO service package also includes reputation management.

4. Flaunt the Good Stuff

Standout reviews are gold; integrate them into different facets of your marketing. Whether you’re updating your website’s testimonial section, posting on social media, or incorporating quotes in printed brochures, ensure these authentic voices reach your wider audience.

5. Learn and Evolve

Online reviews are more than just digital applause or feedback; they’re a tool for evolution. By actively analyzing patterns in feedback, you can uncover areas of consistency and areas for improvement.

Maybe clients consistently praise your punctuality but wish for more frequent updates during projects. These insights are invaluable. Act on them. Use this feedback loop as a compass to align closer with client expectations and needs.

5. Start Ranking with On-Page SEO

Great, you’ve created content. Now what? Your local SEO service bundle shouldn’t just include local content creation; it should also include on-page SEO.

The latter is a neat little trick that’ll pick your business and strategically place it into Google’s Local 3-Map. How can you check this box off the list? Let’s dig deeper.

5.1. Title Tags & Meta Descriptions

A title tag defines the title of a webpage; it’s displayed on SERPs as the clickable headline for a given search result.

For instance, if you have a page about “Kitchen Renovations,” its title tag may be “Premium Kitchen Renovations in [City Name] – [Your Company Name].” See what we mean?

To craft an effective title tag:

1. Prioritize Relevance: Title tags should succinctly reflect the page’s content. If the title is about bathroom designs, include “bathroom designs” in the tag.
2. Incorporate Key Keywords: Ideally, place your main keyword toward the beginning.
3. Keep It Concise: Keep the tags under 60 characters to ensure they display properly in search results.
4. Uniqueness: Each page on your website should have a distinct title to avoid confusion and enhance clarity for search engines and users.

Meta descriptions offer a summary of a webpage’s content and appear under the title tag on SERPs. Taking the same example above, the meta description may read: “Explore top-tier kitchen renovations in [City Name]. We have over ten years of experience in turning culinary spaces into modern masterpieces.”

To craft a compelling meta description:

1. Be Descriptive: Summarize the page’s content accurately. Cover your USPs; give web users a reason to click!
2. Use Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords naturally. This helps users confirm the relevance of your page. It also increases your chances of appearing in Google’s 3-Pack.Ask your local SEO provider for an updated list of local keywords each month.
3. Mind the Length: Aim for about 150–160 characters to ensure the full description is visible on SERPs.
4. Unique Descriptions: Every webpage should have its own meta description. Avoid using the same meta description across different webpages. Googlebot will quickly notice what’s happening and lower your rankings.

5.2. URL Structure

The structure of a URL is more than just a web address; it’s a critical component of effective local SEO and user experience. A clear and concise URL helps users and search engines understand and reach your content effortlessly.

1. Simplicity is Key: Your URLs should be as straightforward as possible. Instead of using a convoluted string of numbers and symbols, aim for a simple, readable structure.

For instance, a page about bathroom renovations should ideally have a URL like www.yourdomain.com/bathroom-renovations.

2. Keyword Integration: Embedding relevant keywords into your URL is a great way to enhance its SEO value. If you offer kitchen remodeling services in New York, opt for an intuitive and SEO-friendly URL like www.yourdomain.com/new-york-kitchen-remodeling.
3. Avoid Lengthy URLs: We get it; you may be tempted to capture every little detail in your URLs. However, it’s best to avoid making them too long.

Concise URLs are easier for users to recall and share. If a URL extends beyond three to five words, it’s probably worth revisiting.

4. Use Hyphens, Not Underscores: Hyphens are preferable to underscores because search engines read hyphens as spaces. Opt for something like kitchen-remodeling instead of kitchen_remodeling.
5. Consistency and Structure: Websites with multiple pages must maintain a consistent URL structure. This is a great way to help search engines crawl and index your site with ease. You’ll also end up giving visitors a logical path through your site.

Now, things may get a little technical here. On-page SEO may sound fun and games, but it’s more complex and nuanced than you may think. Hire local SEO services to lift this weight off your shoulders.

An experienced local SEO company will review your website’s URL structure and make necessary adjustments to ensure it’s clean, organized, and keyword-rich. They’ll also ensure the URLs are descriptive and follow a logical hierarchy that reflects your website’s content structure.

5.3. Image Optimization

Images play a pivotal role in the visually-driven world of the internet.To captivate potential clients, contractors can showcase stunning visuals of completed projects, detailed blueprints, or even action shots of ongoing work.

However, merely uploading high-resolution photos isn’t enough. Stellar image optimization is your golden ticket to delivering the visual impact you desire! And, of course, image optimization will also fill your glass with ranking juice until you make it to Google’s Local 3-Map. All optimization efforts help, and this is no different.

1. Quality vs. Size: High-resolution images are detailed and sharp, but they also come with hefty file sizes that can slow down your website. Use tools like Photoshop and GIMP to compress images and preserve quality while reducing file size. If your local SEO provider uses their own image compression tool, even better!
2. Alt Text: Every image on your website should have alternative text (often called “alt text”). This brief description helps search engines understand the content of the image. This can be particularly useful for contractors. An image with alt text like “custom hardwood kitchen cabinets” can boost SEO while providing context.
3. Descriptive Filenames: Instead of leaving an image with a default filename like “IMG_1234.jpg”, rename it to something descriptive and relevant like “modern-bathroom-design.jpg”. This helps with indexing purposes.
4. Responsive Images: In 2023, there are a multitude of devices and screen sizes available. Using responsive images that adapt to the viewer’s device is imperative. This is a great way to ensure mobile users don’t download large images meant for desktops.

By keeping load times short, you’ll keep your audience happy. And as long as your audience gets what it wants, Google will keep you in its good books!

5.4. Internal Linking

The web of connections within your site, known as internal linking, is much like the intricate wiring of a house. Every link serves a purpose to ensure the entire structure functions seamlessly. Understanding and implementing effective internal linking is essential.

Internal links connect one page of your website to another. This allows users to navigate your site effortlessly, discover new services, explore past projects, stumble upon testimonials, and find other content that could influence their decision to hire you.

Search engines, much like users, rely on these links to find content on your site. By showcasing the relationship and hierarchy between different pages, you’ll make it easier for search engines to index your content.

If you’ve been struggling to make it to Google’s 3-Pack, this little trick will help you rank higher and higher until you sneak into the little coveted box. Here are the guidelines for good internal linking:

1. Relevance: The links you provide must be relevant to the content. If you’re discussing kitchen renovations, link to a gallery of your past kitchen projects or a blog post about kitchen design trends.
2. Anchor Text: This is the clickable text of your link. Make sure it’s descriptive but concise. Hint at what the user should expect upon clicking.
3. Avoid Overlinking: While internal linking is beneficial, it’s possible to overdo it. Aim for a balance. Flooding your content with links can make it look cluttered and decrease its readability.

5.5. External Linking

Stepping beyond the boundaries of one’s website may seem counterintuitive. Why direct traffic elsewhere?

But in the digital realm, external linking (or outbound linking) is like building bridges from your site to others. It strengthens your online credibility and positions you as a well-informed, connected player in your industry.

External links direct your audience to websites outside your domain. By offering them trusted sources for further reading, you demonstrate that your content isn’t isolated but part of a broader conversation in the industry.

When you link to authoritative sources, especially those known in the construction business, you also borrow some of their trustworthiness. And, of course, Google sees external links to high-quality sites as a positive indicator of your site’s value and relevance.

What are the best practices to get things right?

1. Quality over Quantity: Instead of linking to every site you can find, prioritize quality. A link to an authoritative industry publication or a reputed contractor association is far more valuable than numerous links to lesser-known, low-quality sites.
2. Open in a New Tab: When setting up external links, it’s often good practice to set them to open in a new browser tab. This way, visitors can easily return to your site after exploring the external content.
3. Stay Relevant: If you’re discussing the merits of a particular building material, link to studies, manufacturers, or industry reports that support your claims. Irrelevant links can confuse readers and dilute your content’s focus.
4. Regularly Check Links: Websites evolve, and content can move. Occasionally check your external links to ensure they’re still active and relevant. Dead links can frustrate users and harm your site’s credibility.

6. Feeling Overwhelmed? Turn to a Professional Local SEO Company!

Exploring the world of local SEO can initially feel like navigating a busy construction site without a blueprint. Everywhere you look, something or the other demands attention, and the intricate details can sometimes feel overwhelming.

At Global-marketing Inc., we’re here to help. As one of the leading local SEO firms for construction businesses, we don’t just help you get seen by your audience; we help you outrank your competitors.

We understand that the maze of keywords, content strategies, and Google Business Profile can be overwhelming. By stepping in and taking the reins, we lighten your load and achieve stellar results.

Are you ready to transform your online presence? Explore our local SEO services to get started!We also provide SEO services for contractors who are new to online marketing. If you want a more general approach rather than a specialized plan (local SEO), we’ll start with the basics and work our way up.

Your digital success is a project we’re passionate about. Let’s build it together. We’re ready when you are!

The post Contractors’ Guide to Local SEO: How to Dominate Google’s 3-Pack appeared first on Global-marketing Inc..

This might be the result of a penalty from Google, poor SEO practices, or simply because of a thing we call SERP volatility.

SERP volatility can be defined as a change in the search engine results—often for the worse. It threatens to undo months or years of work and rank maintenance or improvement with a competitor site, especially when coupled with intense competition. You might notice a dip in organic traffic, search visibility, and your place on the first page, which is damaging given that the #1 result on Google gets 32% of all clicks.

So What Do You Do To Combat This Issue? 

If you’re left scratching your head and wondering, “How can I improve SERP impact for my website?” or are looking for tips on adapting SEO strategies for SERP fluctuations, you’ve come to the right place.

Our local SEO experts have the experience, knowledge, and insights to help you understand factors that contribute to SERP volatility and generate an actionable plan to overcome them.

Let’s dive right into it, then.

Search engines like Google and Bing have varying requirements for SERP rankings as they take into account numerous factors to assess the relevance and quality of a website’s content in relation to specific search queries. While some ranking factors may overlap, others can be specific to each search engine.

This means that you can’t apply the same strategy from one search engine to the next and need to take a tailored approach for each platform, focusing on what works based on their individual requirement, algorithm, and your own business strategy.

That’s where the challenge lies—there’s no one-size-fits-all SEO strategy. And if you try to create one, it’s very likely that you’ll fall victim to SERP volatility.

Let’s learn more about it below:

The Many Factors That Lead To SERP Volatility And Changes

Among the various factors—both within and outside your control—that have an impact on local and mobile SERPs, some of the most common include:

• It can be attributed to Google Algorithm changes that take place 500-600 times a year to maintain maximum relevance, efficiency, minimize spammy or low-quality content, and stay up to date with efficiency guidelines. You can combat this by adapting your website and its content based on the latest trends and requirements.
• But it may also be in response to user behavior and search intent, which are known to change over time. Google focuses on the user and centers all content and information around their needs, so any changes in user intent, search questions, keywords, and the type of pages they visit can indicate a shift in your rankings. The simplest way to test this is by searching your keywords or looking at analytics related to it and revising your strategy based on SERP impact and user intent alignment.
• …or perhaps your competition is wiping you out and overtaking your SEO, which definitely isn’t great for you. It means they’re doing something that you’re not, and you need to conduct a competitor analysis to know what that is.

Recommended Read: 8 Crucial Google Ranking Factors You Shouldn’t Ignore in 2020

How SERP Volatility Impacts SEO Performance Adversely

In the big picture, losing one keyword or having one poorly optimized webpage or a couple of penalizations from your Search Engine isn’t terrible.

However, when you put these factors together, you stand to lose a lot of organic traffic, your rankings are dragged down, and most of all, you lose money. Not only will you stop generating revenue from these low-ranking pages and see failed conversions and lower sales, but you’ll also lose money spent on marketing which can cost anywhere from $1500-$5000 a month—and who wants that?

Here’s a quick overview of the impacts that SERP volatility has on local and mobile:

It’s time-consuming, but being thorough is what will help you the most. Individually look at which keywords are being impacted the most, what type of content is generating engagement, and what kind is performing poorly, and do a complete audit of your website to see if it’s functioning optimally.

Sometimes something as inconspicuous as a technical fault at the backend, slow loading speed, poor backlinking, and other on-site issues could be costing you valuable rankings.

Let’s talk about one of Global-marketing Inc.’s oldest clients, Ancient Hair Secrets. Their case exemplifies how fluctuations in search engine rankings can significantly affect a website’s visibility.

Ancient Hair Secrets was operating in a competitive market for its products. They ranked for their top keyword, ‘African Americans hair growth serum,’ at number 6—which isn’t ideal because the average CTR falls sharply after the third position.

Through Global-marketing Inc.’s SEO interventions, Ancient Hair Secrets saw a drastic improvement in their keyword rankings (see the table below).

This demonstrates the importance of staying proactive and adapting to SERP changes for better results.

So, how should you go about it? Let’s break it down for you.

Recommended Read: 3 Insights from Google I/O 2023 for Local SEO

Adapting SEO Strategies To Minimize SERP Fluctuations And Maintaining Your Rankings

What are some great tips to boost SERP impact and visibility for your website and brand?

How do you stay on top of your game and mitigate SERP’s impact on user behavior and engagement?

You take a detail-oriented, custom approach to addressing any and all possible causes.

Every website has its own issues with SERP volatility, which is why you will require a detailed audit to identify where the issue lies in yours and take necessary action to rectify that. Here are some tips:

• Update keyword lists, optimize higher-performing keywords more, remove all technical faults and issues, and double down on your local SEO practices. Routine audits should be a part of your local SEO
• It’s not going to be a quick fix, and it’s a lot easier to lose your ranking than it is to regain it, given that 90% of content gets no Google search traffic. But you need to be persistent with content creation and quality, focusing your strategy based on the numbers.
• Always follow the latest guidelines, like the Helpful Content guide from Google, to know what these search engines are rewarding and what they’re penalizing.
• Keep your SEO strategy flexible based on the results and numbers you’re seeing. What worked for you 6 months ago may not work for you now.
• Look at what your competitors and industry are generally leaning toward. Again, a professional analysis can help you determine what you should be doing to keep up and take the lead.

Here’s how we helped one of our clients, Western Mass Auto Insurance: They ranked on the first page of Google for only 4 keywords, which wasn’t working in their favor. Through a combination of SEO strategies, including content marketing and lead generation, we increased their organic traffic by 29.34%, and they shot up to number 1. They also started ranking on the first page of SERPs for 14 other industry keywords.

Need Some Stability in Your Life? Hire Our Local SERP Impact Services

Global-marketing Inc.’s services focus on evaluating local SERP impact and work closely with you to adapt SEO strategies to manage SERP fluctuations.

Our team will evaluate mistakes and issues that could be hurting your ranking and devise customized strategies to mitigate their effects. It’s one of the most effective ways to boost your rankings and maintain your position despite changes in the algorithm.

This is what a winning SEO strategy would look like for you:

Are you ready to let us be your guide to success?

Don’t let SERP volatility drag you down—give us a call today!

The post Navigating SERP Volatility and Mitigating Its Impact appeared first on Global-marketing Inc..

Developers from across the world flew into Mountain View, CA, for the first in-person conference since COVID-19 hit. And as expected, the highly-anticipated event came through on all fronts and offered some important announcements, insights, and ideas for the future of digital media, technology, and more.

As such, we’ve also gained some interesting insights into local SEO services from this conference.

Redefining Local Search with Search Generative Experience

The biggest announcement that was unveiled at this year’s I/O event was the launch of the Search Generative Experience, or SGE, which will essentially “supercharge” search with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).

This means that the entire landscape for search will see a major disruption and change—and contrary to what you might think, it will be for the better.

Google Search Generative Experience (SGE) is an innovative framework that integrates the power of generative artificial intelligence (AI) into the Google search engine’s query responses. Traditionally, the search engine relied on web crawlers to collect and index information from websites, with search results being ranked by evolving algorithms. But now, with SGE, Google’s original search feature will be more active, aware, and accurate in predicting user behavior.

How?

SGE utilizes a large language model (LLM) known as the Pathways Language Model (PaLM) 2. This transformer neural network is trained on a vast corpus of data, enabling the AI to provide enhanced content and query capabilities. By leveraging the transformer model, SGE can infer results and make suggestions to improve user search outcomes.

It’s important to note that SGE doesn’t replace the existing Google index results; rather, it complements them, aiming to enrich the overall search experience. This means that the role of digital marketing won’t be diminished. In fact, we’ll need to find more innovative ways to engage users and rise to the changing demand that SERPs ask of us.

With help from a local SEO provider like Global-marketing Inc., you can enhance your current local SEO strategy based on the following insights from this year’s I/O event:

1. Users Will Get More Comprehensive Results From A Single Search

One of the most interesting ways that the SGE will upgrade the user experience and enhance local SEO simultaneously is by processing long-tail keywords and complex queries in a single go.

Currently, there are 3.5 billion searches per day and 40,000 search queries each second on Google, and while people are heavily dependent on them to get the information they need, there’s room for improvement.

AI-driven results will offer a more comprehensive, intelligent response that doesn’t need to be broken down and processed in fragments the way queries currently are.

So rather than getting half-baked information from multiple sources and piecing it together, users will be able to generate more specific, individualized questions and get more specific, individualized responses.

Currently, SGE is in its testing phase, and only those who sign up for Google’s Search Labs have access to this tool, but once it’s rolled out, you can expect detailed answers and responses for even the most hyper-specific questions.

For instance, a user going on vacation would like to get a detailed breakdown of which hotel is better for their needs as a travel group or family, and rather than relying on generic responses, the AI-powered search bar will be able to provide comprehensive responses from either a single source like a blog or guest post or compile data from multiple sources.

You should invest in local SEO solutions that help you leverage AI-driven models and optimize your website, content, and other facets to be more recognizable and higher ranking. These queries and responses still depend on successful content and optimization, hyperlinking, and human-generated knowledge to compile and provide responses to users.

Recommended Read: Mastering Local SEO: 5 Powerful Trends Taking 2023 by Storm!

2. The New Conversational Mode Will Enable Users To Continue Local Searches

Another interesting insight shared at the Google I/O event was that users will be able to interact with the SGE feature in the form of a conversation.

This is an important element of their futuristic AI-driven approach that aims to encourage continuous search, which is a leg up from their previously introduced continuous scrolls.

Now, rather than just moving from one page to the next, users will be able to converse with the AI chat. In fact,   Google’s algorithm will allow users to build up on previous queries and will even be able to predict what they want to ask next.

For instance, if you were Googling where to find the “best dentist for braces in Columbus, OH,” the bot will not only take you through that but also help you address follow-up questions like “Do braces hurt?” “Can I chew gum with braces?” and so on.

You’re probably wondering if this feature will favor zero-click searches. It might.

But you have to remember that the information provided in those results will be limited. Businesses need to understand that users may still require more detailed or comprehensive information beyond what is offered in the search results—which is an opportunity for you to provide value through your websites or other online platforms.

Let’s break this down a little.

Currently, zero-click searches make up 25.6% of Google search CTR on desktops. However, with conversational mode, users will have the option to move through multiple relevant options and clickthrough to the one that elaborates on the information they need.

This means your local SEO content, presence, and platforms must be straight shooters. You’ll have to contextualize, optimize, and update the information to be more relevant. This would include making sure that your content is user-centric and that your maps, Google business listings, and business information are impactful enough to help you maintain stellar rankings.

It’s got to be a hook (higher rankings), line (engaging, optimized content), and sinker (organic clickthrough and conversions to your website)—and our local SEO company will help you reel in local users.

Recommended Read: 6 Ways Professional SEO Services Can Help Your Local Business Rank on Google

3. They’re Testing And Launching A Feature Known As Perspectives For Varied Information

One of the most exciting insights gathered from Google I/O’s new strategies and discussions is that users truly are at the heart of all content, which is why their new feature, Perspectives, is so thrilling.

Perspectives is a tool that processes a Google search query and presents multi-perspective content in response to it. This includes long and short-form video content, blogs and articles, and even some zero-click posts, and allows users to get varied, diverse, detailed information in response to their query.

It’s an exciting chance for local SEO providers (like us) to upgrade services and help clients (like you) generate more interesting information, create powerful content, and double down on local SEO efforts that disseminate information in multiple ways.

Here’s a sneak peek of how Perspectives will work, according to Google’s official platform:

source: https://blog.google/products/search/google-search-perspectives/

As you can see, it’s quite simple to use and uses features from the aforementioned insights (long tail keywords and continuous scrolling) to provide various results from multiple perspectives. So rather than getting information from a singular, potentially biased, or sales-y service, they have the ability to get multiple insights from a single page.

To Your Local Search—and Beyond!

At Global-marketing Inc., we know how to walk the walk.

Work with our local SEO company to get ahead of local competitors and stay on top of the latest trends by upgrading your SEO strategy to reflect these insights and updates from Google I/O.

We analyze the latest trends and provide you with actionable strategies, customized approaches, and diverse solutions, from setting up Google profiles and business postings to social media and more.

Step into the future with our help!

The post 3 Insights from Google I/O 2023 for Local SEO appeared first on Global-marketing Inc..

Despite what you may have been told by long-standing practitioners in the industry, word-of-mouth and other old-school methods of recognition simply won’t cut it in today’s competitive market.

With over 202,000 active dentists in the US, what makes your services or business recognizable? You’re surrounded by competitors in your region and need to make yourself stand out in the crowd.

The most effective way to do that is to leverage affordable local SEO services that are tailored to your industry and business.

But with the local SEO industry changing rapidly, how do you know what works for your dental practice in 2023—and in the near future?

Let’s delve into the world of SEO for dentists and discuss some local SEO solutions that can be exceptionally useful for your practice.

Understanding Local SEO Services 

Any time someone frantically searches for the nearest reliable dentist in the throes of a toothache, they find one through local SEO.

As a dentist, your website needs local SEO to rank higher for localized searches, given that 46% of all searches are focused on a location.

Users aren’t just looking for businesses; they’re also visiting them to use their services. This is why local SEO is a great way to highlight your unique services, identifiers, and selling points to local customers who are looking for those services via search engines.

It helps you target your client demographic based on geography and places you higher than competing clinics and practitioners in SERPs.

Not only does that bring in more revenue, but it also creates a stronger brand image for your dental practice.

5 Targeted Local SEO Strategies for Dentists

Did you know that 76% of users that search for businesses online are likely to visit them within a day?

This should tell you something. If you’re not using optimization services to leverage local SEO solutions to bring each distressed patient looking to brighten their smile or fix their overbite, you’re missing out.

So let’s talk about some of the top local SEO solutions that are ideal for dentists:

1. Familiarize Yourself with User Intent and Keywords  

This may seem obvious—and redundant—if you’re familiar with anything SEO related. But keywords and user intent are the backbone of any successful SEO strategy, local or otherwise.

That’s why you need to perform a comprehensive analysis and search of the keywords and user insights that are most relevant to your business, right down to your specialization.

Once you understand what keywords to use and how to leverage user intent to provide them with greater value, you can begin incorporating these elements across your website, public listings, content, etc.

User intent will tell you what your local clients are searching for when they use Google to find a service. Here’s an example:

or

Some popular local SEO keywords that you can incorporate include:

With continual optimization services and custom keyword strategies, you’ll be ranking higher on SERPs and garnering more traction and attention in no time—just like Smileworks. In less than four years, Smileworks Went from a small startup to a £3.5M turnover, establishing itself as the leading dental practice in Liverpool by leveraging local keywords effectively.

2. Focus on Extensive, High-Quality Local Link-Building 

Backlinking is an essential component of local SEO for your dental practice. In fact, it’s one of the most important factors that affect your ranking.

They allow you to create a more well-rounded online presence, a higher domain authority, and establish yourself as an industry leader. The higher the quality of your backlinks, the better your local SEO presence will be.

As a dentist or dental service, you can use backlinking in various ways. Here are a few:

Through a combination of methods, our local SEO services company will diversify the type of backlinks associated with your website and help you gain visibility on SERPs.

Recommended Read: Dentist SEO: The Importance of Backlinks and What Kind of Links to Target

3. Leverage Google Posts and Google Business Profile 

As a dentist, you absolutely need to use Google Business Profile optimization services for your practice. Google Business Profiles are one of the most integral local SEO tools available, allowing you to share vital information through highly personalized listings.

You can create posts regarding individual services, business information, contact details, and any other details that are relevant to your target audience. Clients will also be able to see your ratings and identify your business more easily once they know what your business offers.

Here’s a good example of a Google Business Profile that has relevant details about the business:

Google Business Profile also allows you to embed appointment tabs for easier, quicker access and faster conversions, which is a great user-centric feature.

Setting up your GBP would look something like this:

Recommended Read: How to Optimize Google My Business Listing and Leverage It for More Sales

Another thing you should be doing is using Google Posts to your advantage.

This is a free feature that lets you broadcast and share information on a temporary basis. Think Instagram stories but on Google.

You can use it to post promotions, discounts, deals, and other time-sensitive information that may appeal to your audience. Google Posts also allow you to add CTAs and contact information for quick click-throughs and conversions, so it’s worth leveraging.

Don’t forget to optimize local maps too! Your business should be accurately listed and located, easy to access and find, with updated information. Outdated, incorrect information can hurt your rankings and turn clients away.

4. Invest in Local Content Generation for Your Website 

It’s taken a while for us to get here, but there’s no way we could talk about impactful local SEO for dentists without addressing one tenet: content.

Unlike the myth and half-baked magic of the Tooth Fairy, Local SEO content is effective, real, and meaningful.

Dentistry is a rich industry, with a goldmine of content waiting to be discovered. Our in-house content specialists work closely with you to develop engaging, interesting, value-adding content that’s focused on local events, local clientele and their pain points, and local offerings that are relevant to your business.

Here are some ways we can help you leverage local SEO content:

These local content strategies will earn you valuable traffic and help you build a roster of repeat customers.

5. Share Patient Reviews and Testimonials 

Lastly, improve local SEO and Google listing optimization through patient reviews and testimonials. This is a type of engagement that takes place both online and offline and requires you to step out of your comfort zone.

Encourage your patients and clients to leave reviews on public profiles such as Google, or Facebook and share their feedback. Organic reviews and feedback from clients is a surefire way to boost your rankings and bring in new clients.

While a review like this may suffice, you want something more engaging, authentic, and insightful into the patient’s experience, like:

It may take a while to generate quality testimonials, but it’s an important step in getting recognized. Some tips to generate better reviews are available on Google’s own platform.

You Know the Drill—No, Not That One

Knowing the details and significance of local SEO solutions, you should take action right away to capitalize on their benefits.

Boost your dental practices’ visibility, rankings, traffic, and in turn, revenue with some professional help.

At Global-marketing Inc., we offer SEO for dentists, dental clinics, and other professionals within this field.

Our specialists will design customized strategies, optimizing your website, Google profile, business postings, social media, and more, using the latest tools and solutions.

It’s time for the opening move. We’re ready when you are!

The post Effective Local SEO Solutions: 5 Strategies Tailored for Dentists appeared first on Global-marketing Inc..

The answer is local SEO.

It’s a targeted and strategic approach that helps brick-and-mortar businesses interact with their target audience. This means more traffic, better leads, and, of course, increased brand visibility.

As a small business owner, you must leverage local SEO solutions—especially Google Business Profile (GBP) attributes.

Google Business Profile attributes are a SERP ranking factor that play a major role in getting your business in front of potential customers. In fact, It’s reported that 64% of online consumers use Google Business Profile attributes to find business contact details, and 94% of calls made to local businesses come from GBPs.

Let us put it this way: If you haven’t been using Google Business Profile attributes—or worse, haven’t even heard of them—you’re missing out.

Let our local SEO providers walk you through the different types of Google Business Profile attributes and how you can use this feature to gain a steady stream of customers.

So, let’s get started, shall we?

A Closer Look At Business Attributes on Google Business Profile

If you run a law firm, you know that reputation is everything. It’s the key to maintaining a steady client base. And how can you establish yourself as a well-reputed law firm? By ranking higher in SERPs.

46% of all Google searches include queries with local intent. This means if your law firm isn’t showing up in local searches, you’re most likely losing business to competitors.

This is where Google Business Profile attributes come in. They help you maintain online relevance, which is one of the 3 main local ranking factors that allows potential clients to find you faster.

Google Business Profile attributes allow business owners to showcase their unique products and services. They highlight specific features of a local business and are a way for you to tell your customers what they can expect when using your services.

Here’s an example:

When someone looks up psychiatry services in Chicago, they can easily see that LifeStance Therapists & Psychiatrists Chicago offers services online.

Similarly, for Apotheco Pharmacy in Lincoln Park, Google Business Profile attributes will let interested individuals see that they provide delivery options and in-store pickup.

By adding these attributes to your Google Business Profile, you can enhance your visibility in Google Search and allow potential customers to quickly grasp what sets you apart from other businesses. The more information and attributes you include in your listing, the higher you rank for a targeted search.

Here’s what the attribute section in your GBP dashboard looks like:

You can always add or edit these attributes in the info section of your GBP manager.

How Do Google Business Profile Attributes Work?

Google Business Profile attributes narrow down a user’s discovery search to help your business rank high in SERPs, Google Maps, and Google 3-pack.

Think of Google Business Profile attributes as qualitative keywords.

Let’s suppose you’re one of many dental clinics in Orange County. If a potential customer searches for the top dental clinics in the area and mentions “staff wears masks” or “wheelchair accessibility” in the search bar, your business is most likely to pop up in the 3-pack if your business has relevant Google Business Profile attributes.

Once they come across specific attributes that align with what they’re looking for, they’re more likely to visit your website. This is one of the most efficient ways to convert potential customers into paying customers.

Here’s an example.

Notice how there’s a strong focus on the audience’s needs. Attributes like “onsite services” and “online appointments” are exactly what may appeal to your potential customers.

Remember: Providing comprehensive details about your business helps you optimize your Google Business Profile listing.

Hence, by being more specific about your business attributes, you can improve your online visibility and increase the number of people visiting your website.

Recommended read: How to Completely Optimize and Promote Your Google Business Profile Page

What Are the Types of Google Business Profile Attributes?

There are two main types of Google Business Profile attributes:

Subjective or Hidden Attributes

Subjective business or hidden attributes are what most users look for—like whether a business is good for groups, good for kids, popular in LA, etc.

These attributes can’t be updated or controlled by the business. They’re opinion-based and controlled by the user-submitted answers on Google Maps.

They can be particularly beneficial for you if you own a restaurant or a bar, as they can greatly impact customer perception and decision-making.

Businesses can leverage subjective attributes to their benefit by encouraging customer feedback, engaging with their customers, highlighting unique features about their business, and providing visual cues on their Google Business Profile.

Factual or Objective Attributes

These attributes are maintained by businesses. These can be easily verified since they’re based on accurate facts about your products/services that you tell Google through your GBP dashboard.

Businesses can provide accurate information, highlight their key features, and provide relevant visuals to leverage objective attributes for a stronger online presence.

Here are some common attribute categories that you can use to optimize your local search presence:

Invest in Local SEO Services Today to Boost Your Online Visibility!

In this blog, we discussed the importance of using Google Business Profile attributes and how using types of attributes can give you a competitive edge.

The key takeaway is that if you don’t leverage specific attributes, you’ll likely miss out on showing up in relevant local searches, which may lead to your conversion rate taking a hit. This will ultimately have an impact on your brand identity.

Avoid these pitfalls by hiring local business SEO services at Global-marketing Inc.!

Whether you’re a lawyer, dentist, or contractor, our local SEO company’s local listing optimization services can help you build a powerful online presence with audience-centric optimized content.

Get started with us today.

The post The Secret to Local SEO Success: Your Guide to Google Business Profile Attributes appeared first on Global-marketing Inc..

But now that 9 out of 10 customers are using the Internet to search for brick-and-mortar businesses in their area, that isn’t going to be the case.

Local search is becoming hyper-focused on customer experience, and leveraging local SEO services can be a game-changer when it comes to ranking higher on Google SERPs organically.

If your business serves a particular geographical region or has a physical location, local SEO allows you to be more visible to your target audience when they make region-specific searches, like “coffee shop near me” or “winter accessories shop in New York.”

Since local SEO targets a more specific and relevant audience, it puts you in front of your customers right when they need your products or services. The result? More calls, store visits, several leads, and tangible conversions.

This blog will walk you through the top local SEO trends of 2023. Can they help your business maintain a strong presence online? We’re breaking it all down.

What Is Local SEO?

Search engines rely on social profile pages, citations, links, and localized content to provide relevant results to users, ensuring that they find the information they’re looking for.

With over 2 billion websites on the Internet, ranking high on SERPs is challenging for businesses—regardless of the industry.

This is where local SEO comes in.

It’s the process of optimizing a website to increase online search visibility for local businesses, especially the ones with brick-and-mortar locations. It can help businesses improve the organic traffic to their website and get more actionable leads from local searches.

Here’s how Hasbrook & Hasbrook, an Oklahoma City-based personal injury law firm, used a few local SEO tricks to achieve a higher ranking on Google:

• They included their location in most of the webpage titles, including the website URL

• They curated keyword optimized content for their website and included niche-specific laws relevant to the locals in the area.

• They optimized their Google Business Profile page

Here’s what you get when you search for a relevant keyword for the company, “personal injury lawyer Bartlesville.”  Thanks to these local SEO strategies, it has secured the coveted 4^th spot on the first page in SERPs.

Let’s cut to the chase, then.

You’re looking to rank high on Google, and our local SEO solutions are going to make your sweet SEO dreams come true with these impactful local SEO trends.

The Five Most Powerful Local SEO Trends That Will Help You Succeed

1. The Google Local Map Pack for Maximizing Local Traffic

The Google Local Map Pack, or the SEO 3-pack, is an important SEO tool used to optimize region-specific business listings, allowing your business to rank on top in SERPs.

It’s a listing of three businesses that appears at the top of the search results whenever you type in the keywords “near [location],” “near me,” or simply a product/service along with a location.

Here’s what it looks like:

What makes the Google Local Pack so effective for businesses is that it has a clear call to action which allows customers to directly visit the website or make a phone call.

If you want to rank in the local SEO 3-pack, ensure that:

• Your listing has comprehensive and specific information about your company, including updated contacts, addresses, and other important details
• You have reviews on your Google profile
• You’ve earned locally relevant backlinks so people can easily find your business

A majority of consumers don’t go beyond the first page of search results, so ranking high can really give your business a competitive edge.

2. Google My Business, a.k.a Google Business Profile, is the Crème De La Crème of Local Search

Google, being as omnipotent as it is, is putting more emphasis on search intent in 2023. The search engine isn’t just showing results based on keywords anymore. It shows results based on what the user is looking for.

Reports show that 64% of consumers use Google Business Profile posts to look up local businesses, whereas 94% of calls made to local businesses come from Google Business Profile listings.

A consistent GMB listing is exactly what you need for that certain je ne sais quoi to get to the top of Google’s SERPs.

Here’s an example of how you can go about it:

If you want to receive more online orders for your business, set up a Google Business Profile to allow people to instantly place an order.

When a consumer in your area types the words “coffee shops” in the search engine bar, they’ll be redirected to your website where they can order online.

Notice how easy and convenient it is for the online audience who wants nothing more than just a quick coffee fix.

That’s why Google Business Profile is an incredible tool to get significant improvement in your traffic reports.

Recommended read: How to Completely Optimize and Promote Your Google Business Profile Page

3. Enhanced User Experience Is Your Ace Card

Did you know that Google’s algorithm measures all aspects of a user’s online experience when ranking a website on SERPs?

So, how can you improve your user experience?

4. Optimize Your Content for Conversational Queries& Voice Search

Google aims to satisfy search intent above all.

This is what led to the launch of the language model, LaMDA, that enables search engines to have a better understanding of natural language. Google has also launched Bard, a conversational AI service powered by LaMDA, which is being touted for its capability of natural conversation and providing up-to-date answers with great emphasis on search intent.

How can you use this to your advantage? By optimizing your content for conversational queries and voice searches.

62% of people who own smartphones say that they use voice assistants like Siri and Alexa. This is because people find it easier to speak into their microphones than typing out a query in a search bar.

Combine conversational queries and voice search, and you’ve hit the jackpot!

Target conversational long-tail keywords in your content.

Instead of using keywords like “salons near me,” use conversational keywords like “Where can I get a haircut?” to satisfy both user intent and voice searches.

Pro tip: use specific phrases, slang, and vernacular that are commonly used in the region you’re targeting. This is very effective in attracting your target audience.

Recommended read: A Beginner’s Guide to Optimizing Web Content for Better Reach and Conversions

5. Your Web Page Should Be Optimized for Mobile

One of the cardinal rules of local SEO is optimizing a web page for mobile devices.

According to research reports, 52.08% of web traffic comes from mobile devices—which means that you need to optimize your web design for enhanced user experience.

Google uses mobile-first indexing, meaning it predominantly crawls the mobile version of a website for ranking and indexing purposes before crawling its desktop version.

So if you haven’t optimized your website for mobile yet, you’re missing out.

Build A Reputable Brand Identity with Our Local SEO Services!

Now that you have a better idea of what local SEO can do for your business, it’s time to get the ball rolling.

At Global-marketing Inc., we offer comprehensive local SEO solutions for small businesses, established organizations, startups, and individuals.

Whether you’re a motivational speaker, a healthcare professional, a contractor, a lawyer, or an e-commerce business owner, our local SEO services company can help you improve your digital presence with industry-specific and audience-centric optimized content.

Reach out to us today and let us help you achieve sustainable growth with the best local SEO practices.

The post Mastering Local SEO: 5 Powerful Trends Taking 2023 by Storm! appeared first on Global-marketing Inc..

It’s been a couple of months, and everything seems to be on track.

You’re getting more calls, your sales are going up, your SERP rankings are improving.

Sounds like everything’s going well, right?

Seemingly.

Everything’s going well seemingly because you haven’t crunched the most critical numbers that confirm whether you’re doing as well in practice as you think you are on paper.

Many businesses have a habit of routinely calculating their ROI for important projects.

Somehow, they forget that local SEO campaigns also need to be monitored similarly.

It’s possible that you’re overestimating how well your plans are doing.

In actuality, your return on investment (ROI) on local SEO may not be what you want.

In this blog, we’ll dig deeper.

Our local SEO specialists will walk you through

1. How to calculate the ROI of SEO,
2. How to set up conversion tracking to measure ROI, and
3. How to get a higher ROI from SEO.

Grab some coffee, microwave a quick snack, pull out your notes app, and start typing away.

This is your how-to guide for local SEO ROI calculation.

The SEO ROI: The Basics

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of ROI calculation, let’s understand the basics. SEO ROI is a percentage that tells you the amount of return on your local SEO investment.

Think about it. You’re investing in local SEO to improve your rankings, generate more traffic, turn visitors into leads, and grow your business. If you’re pouring more money into your local SEO plans than you’re getting in return, you’re in trouble.

This means that your local SEO efforts aren’t yielding the intended results. The payoff is less than what you’re investing in the campaign. You’re in trouble. There’s a clear imbalance that’s affecting your bottom line.

If you don’t undo the damage, you could easily get into a financial pickle pretty soon.

Calculating the ROI of your local SEO campaign will help you understand exactly how much $$$ is being returned for every cent you’re putting into your strategy.

Using this insight, you can restructure your local SEO campaign, partner with a different company, or start from scratch. And if your SEO ROI is high, consider this a green light. You’re on track!

How to Calculate the ROI on SEO

Alright, let’s get into it. You want to figure out whether you’re making a profit or loss on your local SEO campaign.

What should be your first step?

Start by setting up conversion tracking to measure your ROI.

Google Analytics is a powerful tool that helps track every possible conversion pulling in revenue. Simply put, it’s your best friend. If you run an eCommerce store, use eCommerce tracking to obtain a complete picture of your online transactions and their precise online revenue.

Google Analytics provides comprehensive and accurate data for online returns, so you don’t have to worry about any deviations. If you’re a service provider or run any lead-based business, we recommend setting up conversion goals.

Let’s take a closer look at both of these approaches:

Ecommerce Store

If you want to track revenue from your eCommerce business, follow Google’s guidelines to add eCommerce tracking to your website or app.

Follow the instructions closely and carefully.  Once you turn eCommerce tracking on, you’ll gain access to all the data regarding your online sales.

This includes the following:

• Ecommerce Conversion Rate
• Transactions
• Revenue
• Average Order Value
• Unique Purchases
• Quantity

Use this powerful report to determine how well your eCommerce site is performing.

Collecting this essential data is imperative. It’ll help you calculate your SEO ROI and monitor your performance thoroughly.

Lead-Based Business (Service Provider, etc.)

Collecting revenue generation data is slightly tricky if you don’t generate sales directly through your site. Tricky, but possible!

Open Google Analytics. Go from Admin to View to Goals in Analytics.

It’s time to start setting up goals for every on-site conversion. By goals, we mean every positive action taken on your site. Of course, this won’t include sales.

However, it’ll include actions like requesting a free quote, filling out your “contact us” form, making a phone call to your business, etc.

Figure out a dollar value for these goals. Once you have the numbers ready, enter them in the Goal Details section. Don’t worry about getting the exact values; that’ll be impossible.

Use analytics data to get a good idea of the estimates and continue.

We recommend making the following calculations:

• How many leads are converting into sales?Let’s consider an example. If you’re getting 200 lead forms each month and 100 are becoming customers, you have a 50% conversion rate.
• What is the average value of each sale?If every lead that ends up being converted spends $100, your average value rounds up to $100.
• What is the value of each lead?Calculate this using the following formula:

If you reel in 100 customers and they spend $100 each, you make $10,000. This is the total value of conversions.

Divide it by the original number of leads (200). Every lead from your goal is roughly worth $50.

Conversion Sorting

Make sure you carefully track your conversions for at least a month. This will give you ample data.

Use this to start measuring your local SEO ROI! There’s a very simple way to do this.

Open Google Analytics and access your conversions report by going from Conversions to Multi-Channel Funnels to Assisted Conversions.

Open the Conversions tab to get a complete set of all the conversions on your site.

You can select a specific time frame and sort them accordingly to create specific data sets.

ROI Calculation

Using the information above, measure the ROI of SEO.

Remember, you now know exactly how much revenue your local SEO campaign pulled in during a specific period. Generally, this should be a month or a quarter (don’t choose a full year).

Use this formula to calculate the ROI of SEO:

Let’s consider a set of data.

Hypothetical Revenue Gained: $3,000,000

Hypothetical Cost of Investment: $500,000

[(3,000,000 –500,000) / 500,000] * 100

5 * 100

500%

A 500% lead generation ROI?

Now that’s impressive!If you’re having trouble figuring out how to measure SEO’s ROI, don’t worry.

Obtaining the right set of data, making close estimates, and calculating the final ROI can be slightly tricky if you aren’t familiar with Google Analytics.

At Global-marketing Inc., we proudly take the reins. Get in touch with our local SEO specialists to calculate your SEO campaign’s ROI.

We use advanced software systems to track and analyze conversions, make precise calculations, and produce an accurate lead generation and ROI report.

What is a Good ROI for SEO?

Once you’ve calculated your ROI, improving it should be your top priority. And by improving it, we mean increasing it.

Now, there’s no exact science here; there’s no hard-and-fast rule about what your ROI should be. However, there is a general estimate. For every dollar you invest into local SEO, you should get $5 back.

This leaves you with an ROI of 500%.

The higher, the better! However, this is the baseline percentage you should aim for.

How to Get a Higher ROI from SEO

As the costs accumulate, protecting your bottom line can become more and more difficult.

Your SEO ROI will gradually fall, putting you in a difficult spot.

Effective local SEO isn’t always expensive. If you do your research, you can find an affordable local SEO company that delivers impressive results.

At Global-marketing Inc., we’re that company. Our local SEO packages are budget-friendly. If you run a small business or recently kick-started your start-up, you can’t afford to invest a big chunk of your money in local SEO.

We help make things easier. Our packages start from as low as $199/month. We also offer a money-back guarantee to make things extra sweet. If you don’t like our services, approach, or results, your money will be back in your bank account before you know it.

We take our work seriously.

Global-marketing Inc.’s local SEO specialists have one clear goal: improving your online visibility and sales. We help you rank on local SERPs, reel in high-quality local traffic, bag more and more conversions, and make a better profit. This is how SEO can drive sales!

All of this has a direct effect on your ROI. We’re here to do all the work. Are you ready?

This Blog at a Glance

As we wrap up, let’s take a closer look at what we discussed in this blog.

Our SEO experts walked you through the easiest way to calculate the ROI of SEO.

We also helped you understand what lead generation ROI really is, how you can set up conversion tracking to measure ROI on your SEO campaign, and the best way to get a better ROI from SEO.

We’ve covered the basics. Now it’s time to put our plans to the test!

At Global-marketing Inc., we offer professional local SEO services to help you get seen by your target audience. We want to make that phone ring!

Let’s make it happen. Hire our local SEO experts to start improving your SEO ROI today. We’re a call away if you need more information!

The post How to Calculate The ROI for Local SEO appeared first on Global-marketing Inc..

Table of Contents

What Are Local Link Building Strategies?

1. Get Active on Social Media
2. Post Local Guest Blogs
3. Let Your Competitors Pave the Way for Local Link Building Success
4. Become an Internal Link Building Master
5. Write Local Press Releases

Summary

Link building has been the undisputed SEO champion for almost a decade now. When it comes to SEO strategies, this specific technique stands out for its impressive ability to help clients:

1. a) Become more visible on the web;
2. b) Rank higher on Google SERPs;
3. c) Generate more traffic and sales, and
4. d) Improve their brand identity

Sounds like some great stuff you’d want your business to enjoy, right? Well, things are taking a turn for the local in 2022.

If you run a small business or a startup, you’re likely targeting a specific community. Perhaps certain towns. Or maybe a handful of cities. A couple of states, at best.

Your approach is local. It goes without saying that your SEO plan should also be local. This is where local link building comes in!

What is this SEO strategy? And how can it help you earn more qualified leads? We’ll cover everything in this blog.

What Is Local Link Building? And What Are Local Link Building Strategies?

Let’s take a quick refresher. Regular link building is the process of earning more links that take web users to your website. These links are called backlinks.

Let’s say you write a stellar blog that demonstrates industry expertise. An industry giant (albeit non-competitor) reads your blog and wants to cite something in their own content.

How will they do this? By offering you a hyperlink.

Think of this as an online citation. When we users click on this hyperlink (backlink), they’ll be taken to your site. You’ve hit the jackpot.

An industry giant that racks up a ton of traffic is now sending its audience over to you. The outcome? Your rankings will improve, your traffic will skyrocket, and your conversions will become a lot, lot sweeter!

Yes, link building works just as well in practice as it sounds on paper!

Now, why are we replacing our regular link building plan with a local link building plan?

Here’s why.

As a small business or startup, you should always focus on targeting your local audience, not just anyone.

Think about it. If you run a business in California, there’s no point in targeting web users in New York. You’re wasting your SEO efforts.

The more local your plan, the better!

Local link building is the process of generating high-DA (domain authority) backlinks from local industry giants.

If you earn a backlink from an industry giant based in Washington when your business is based in Florida, you’ll generate a weak stream of traffic. By localizing your approach, you can reel in maximum traffic and bag maximum sales. Local link building techniques are more effective and efficient for local businesses.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, keep reading for a step-by-step guide to local backlinking in 2022.

We’ll cover everything you need to know about local SEO link building so you can master this strategy and get your business booming.

When done right, this technique works wonders. Let’s make sure you do it right!

1. Get Active on Social Media

We’re not in the middle of going digital. We’ve gone digital! Today, social media has become somewhat of a necessity for most people. It helps people a) stay connected to loved ones who don’t live in close proximity, b) buy products/services online, c) stay entertained, and d) discover something new every day.

As a small business, you can build a tight-knit online community, retain your customers, reel in a wider audience, and strengthen your brand identity through social media. Your first local link building tactic should be setting up Google My Business, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram profiles. Over time, add LinkedIn to your plan as well.

Here’s the trick. Not only will you connect with customers, but you’ll also become visible to local industry giants. As they pick up on your social media activity, they’ll explore your content, products/services, and online activity. If you’re doing a great job, there’s a high chance that you’ll earn a backlink.

Here’s an excellent example by Harpoon Brewery.

Need a warm up for your Thanksgiving feast? Come by the Harpoon Beer Hall in Boston, MA to try our Limited Edition Gobbler Sandwich — available through November! $1 per sandwich will be donated to the Greater Boston Food Bank. pic.twitter.com/9sEgtzxhWS

— Harpoon Brewery (@harpoonbrewery) November 9, 2021

Not only is their tweet engaging and heartfelt, but it’s also local!

Notice the mention of Boston, MA. This is intentional.

This small business knows that local foodies are likely searching for “best sandwich in Boston” or a similar set of keywords on social media. They’ve included these high-ranking search terms in their tweet. This is a great way to target your local audience and get seen by local industry experts on social media.

If you want to go the extra mile, include relevant keywords to maximize your reach and local link building potential.

Here’s another great optimized example by Ryan Bailer Support.

Need some tech support in the NYC area? We’ve got you covered. Head to https://t.co/lO8gtvo9SC for more info! #NYC #technology #localbusiness #SmallBusiness #NewYork pic.twitter.com/KSQ5myw2BO

— Ryan Bailer Support, LLC (@RyanBailerSupp) February 25, 2018

What stands out? Local keywords! And a set of relevant keywords that help the tweet earn even more visibility.

This is how you reach local businesses and build strong backlink partners. Make sure your social media activity is engaging and optimized for local search. Increase each post’s attention-grabbing potential by including a visually exciting image, video, infographic, or GIF.

Recommended Read: SEO Strategy: How to Get Backlinks with Infographics

2. Post Local Guest Blogs

Regular guest blogging? Nah. It’s time to get local.

As a quick refresher, guest blogging is the process of writing blogs for other websites. Ideally, these should be high-DA sites with a score of 50 and up (the higher, the better). A higher score demonstrates strong online authority.

If a site has a DA score of 90, they enjoy a consistent, massive stream of traffic, high conversions, and a pristine brand identity. If they offer you a backlink, you’ll earn qualified traffic.

However, if a low-DA site were to offer you a backlink, you’d earn very little traffic as the host site isn’t doing so well for itself to begin with.

So find a site that can benefit you.

Here’s the trick.

Instead of finding any guest blogging partners, find local guest blogging partners.

Local online directories should be your first stop. Better Business Bureau or Whitepages can help you find other businesses and list your own business!

Make sure you keep two types of specificity in mind: a) industry-specificity and b) location-specificity.

There’s no point in finding a local guest blogging partner that isn’t in your industry.

The opposite won’t help either.

Check off both of these boxes, and you’re good to go!

Local guest blogs are very different from regular guest blogs.

You must:

• Use a set of high-ranking local keywords
• Plan the blog based on local industry trends
• Include the desired location in the blog title, body, and CTA
• Demonstrate insight into local industry trends, not just generic industry trends

A well-researched, well-written, and optimized guest blog will do better on local Google SERPs.

As it racks up more views, your backlinks will begin to work their magic.

You’ll earn high local traffic and more local conversions.

This should be your goal as a small business.

Using a localized guest blogging strategy will ensure that your readers can actually buy your products/services since they live in your target area.

This is a great way to boost your sales and generate impressive business growth!

Recommended Read: Guest Blogging and Blogger Outreach Master plan: Complete Blueprint For Guest Posting in 2022

3. Let Your Competitors Pave the Way for Local Link Building Success

If you’re just starting with local link building, you’ll need some help.

Every local industry has a handful of top players.

These are direct competitors who perform exceptionally well on Google SERPs.

If you want to recreate their success, take some inspiration from them!

Reach out to a team of local link building experts who can run a competitor analysis for you.

This analysis will help you discover:

• Your top-ranking competitors
• The sites that are offering backlinks to your competitors
• The quantity and quality of said backlinks
• The traffic your competitors are generating from said backlinks

This knowledge is essential. It’ll help you carve out a similar local link building plan. If it works for your competitors, it’ll work for you (with a few changes, of course).

Many businesses dismiss this strategy as a black-hat SEO technique. It’s not.

Competitor backlink recreation is a white-hat SEO strategy that yields impressive results when done right. You’re not stealing backlinks. You’re tweaking your plan based on your competition’s backlink profiles.

Combine this strategy with a thorough local online directory search (highlighted above), and you’re good to go! Once you identify the top-ranking backlink partners in your local industry, start reaching out to them.

We recommend crafting a well-executed email that demonstrates industry expertise, appreciates the business being approached, and subtly requests a backlink partnership.

Keep things concise, don’t drag on. At the same time, don’t “beg” for a backlink. Keep your email professional, polite, and leveled.

Approach the company as an equal. They’ll perceive you as a reputable business and consider starting the local link-building partnership.

We also recommend working on improving your DA score before you start reaching out to local industry experts for backlinks.

If your DA score is below 50, you can’t expect to build a partnership with a business that has a 70+ DA score.

There are exceptions to this. It’s possible that you just launched a new business. While your website, content, and products/services may be top-notch, your DA score could still be unimpressive as Google’s algorithm hasn’t picked up on your activity yet. This is understandable. Mention it in the email.

However, if this is the case, your website design and development, content, and products/services should truly be top-notch. Avoid lying or exaggerating. If you can’t partner with high-DA sites, start slow.

Many small businesses use local link building to build their way to the top. When done right, it’s possible.

4. Become an Internal Link Building Master

This is one of the easiest local backlinking techniques because the control is entirely in your hands. Remember, your site is also a local site! As you include more internal links in your content, you’ll make it easier for web users and industry experts to travel across your site.

As they travel from one blog to a service page back to another blog, they’ll get a good gist of what you have to offer. This technique is genius as it helps feed two birds with one scone! You’ll earn more organic conversions as your web readers become more active on your site.

At the same time, you’ll give industry experts a slice of what you offer. If they like what they see, they’ll bookmark your site.

As they work on content for their own website, they’ll visit these bookmarks and pull relevant links to include in their own content.

See how this works? As always, go local.

Generate more local content, so your internal links can also follow suit. We recommend exploring the top local trends in your industry.

Let’s say you offer legal support in Virginia.

This month, all eyes have been on the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard libel trial that’s taking place in Virginia. You can write opinion blogs on the trial to rack up more views.

Make sure these pieces are excellently researched. You’ll do more harm than good if you accidentally make a typo or include a factually incorrect detail. Proofread and edit the content thoroughly. Of course, optimize it well and include a set of other local internal links to earn backlink juice.

A couple of Virginia-based law firms have already made the most of this strategy.

Here’s an example.

As you explore these pieces (and other similar local content), you’ll notice at least 2–3 internal links. Out of these, make sure at least one is local.

You can always create local content no matter which industry you work in. It’s just a matter of doing excellent research and finding relevant topics that earn more clicks!

5. Write Local Press Releases

Local link building is all about local outreach. Expert eyes will automatically turn to your business as you establish authority in your industry.

A professional, well-researched, and well-structured local press release is your golden ticket to unlocking high-DA local backlinks. Press releases showcase something noteworthy about your business.

You may have launched a new product/service. You may be announcing a new site feature. Maybe, you have bagged an impressive accomplishment as a business. or hit a milestone!

It could be anything. As long as it’s newsworthy, it makes the cut.

Include your location in the title of the press release. Here are some examples:

• “[XYZ Business] Revolutionizes the Tech Industry by Launching [XYZ Product] for Remote Workers in California”
• “[XYZ Business] Launches a New Blog for Design Enthusiasts in Los Angeles”
• “[XYZ Business] Celebrates 20 Years of Offering Professional Legal Support to Clients in Atlanta”
• “[XYZ Business] Offers a 30% Discount to Working Moms in Nashville.”

Catch our drift?

These are excellent press release titles as they:

1. a) Announce something that grabs the audience’s attention and
2. b) Include the location in the title.

Your press release has a higher chance of showing up among the top pages of PR sites and Google SERPs if it’s optimized for location.

As industry experts notice how well your business is doing, they’re more likely to offer you a backlink.

Don’t wait for things to happen on their own. Be proactive and draft an email to the top industry experts. You can include links to your top content (including some local press releases). If they haven’t already come across your content, they will now!

As long as you have an impressive arsenal ready to fire off, you’re good to go.

Recommended Read: 10 Advanced Link Building Tips and Tricks to Boost Your SEO

Summary

In this blog, we walked you through top local link building strategies for small businesses and startups.

We highlighted the importance of using social media, posting local guest blogs, recreating your competition’s backlinks, using more internal links in your content, and writing local press releases.

Of course, these are just a handful of the full spectrum of local backlinking strategies.

This is where our experts come in! At Global-marketing Inc., we offer professional link building services to help you earn high-DA backlinks from some of the biggest names in your local industry.

It’s time to get your rankings back on track, earn some sweet traffic, and lock in those conversions!

We’re ready when you are. Take a closer look at our backlink building services.

Once you’re ready, give us a call at +1(833)405-1025.

Let’s get you back on track!

The post What Is Local Link Building and How Can It Help Me Get More Qualified Leads? appeared first on Global-marketing Inc..

What Are Professional SEO Services?

1. Bringing Your Target Audience Closer to Your Business
2. Reeling in New Local Customers
3. Helping You Earn External Credibility
4. Beating Out the Competition
5. Sustaining Stellar Rankings

Wrapping Up!

Can you guess how many small businesses are scattered across the US? The answer may surprise you: 32.5 million.

These are numbers that our SEO team crunches on the daily. They give a lot away about the increasing competition and need for top-tier SEO services.

Think about it. Your local industry is saturated with hundreds of thousands of small businesses just like yours! If you fail to stand out among the competition, you’ll struggle to make impressive sales and get your business going.

So how should you stand out?

The answer is simple: local SEO.

Professional SEO services are designed to put you on the map, amplify your traffic, and skyrocket your sales.

Team Global-marketing Inc. has put together a comprehensive guide to local SEO in 2022. Let’s find out how professional SEO services can help your business rank higher and soar!

What Are Professional SEO Services?

Before we dig deeper into how SEO helps local businesses, let’s understand what professional SEO services entail.

Many local businesses prefer using in-house (read: not professional) SEO services.

If you delegate critical SEO tasks to your marketing team, they’ll fail to meet the mark.

Why?

SEO is a specialized service that’s most effective when offered by professionals who possess a) industry experience, b) the required expertise, and c) advanced SEO tools (software systems and programs).

It takes years and decades for SEO experts to become capable of offering top-tier services that yield excellent results.

In-house teams lack the knowledge and skills required to help small businesses dominate local SERPs.

If you want to get seen by your target audience, sign up for professional—albeit affordable—SEO services that significantly move the needle.

Let’s get back on track. Our SEO experts have broken down the benefits of SEO for small businesses. Take notes, and feel free to ask us questions towards the end.

Let’s dive into it!

1. Bringing Your Target Audience Closer to Your Business

As a small business, you should have numerous clear goals. One of these must be getting seen by your target audience.

The number of local businesses is increasing every day.

As new businesses enter the fold, older ones become more vulnerable to getting outranked by their competitors.

Local SEO services prevent this from happening.

At Global-marketing Inc., we use a set of competitive on-page strategies to put you on the map!

Here’s how we do this.

Our team runs a competitive Google My Business optimization strategy to help small businesses rank higher.

If you haven’t heard of Google My Business before, here’s what you need to remember. This is the most powerful and consistently effective local SEO tool out there.

Created and run by Google, Google My Business allows you to manage how you’re seen online.

Here’s an example.

If you search for “consulting services in New York,” this search pack will show up:

This is the Google Local 3-Pack. It directly fetches information from Google My Business.

So if you run a fully updated, optimized, and comprehensive Google My Business page, you’ll increase your chances of ranking in the coveted Local 3-Pack.

Why should you aim to do this?

Well, the Local 3-Pack earns the large majority of clicks from local Google searches.

It’s user-friendly and packed with information (business address, hours, experience, services, etc.).

Web users engage with the first result the most.

If you run a seamless listing and rank #1 on the Local 3-Pack, you’ve essentially won the lottery as a local business!

Excellent rankings = high traffic = impressive sales.

At Global-marketing Inc., our professional SEO services help you run a powerful Google My Business campaign.

We recently ran a campaign for Western Mass Auto Insurance, a local insurance business based in Massachusetts. We helped them become more discoverable on the web by implementing targeted strategies!

We also worked our magic for Tower Optical Corporation, a precision optics manufacturing business. Our local SEO plan helped them become the first search result for the most relevant industry keywords.

This is the power of a successful Google My Business campaign run by a professional SEO company. Using our experience and expertise, we help you get on top and stay on top!

2. Reeling in New Local Customers

Some SEO strategies increase online visibility to a limited extent.

Businesses end up reeling in the same ol’ clients, which prevents them from growing their business.

At Global-marketing Inc., we help you reach new local customers.

Our local SEO campaign includes region-specific keyword targeting techniques, which help us target new customers in nearby towns and neighborhoods.

This strategy yields impressive results.

You manage to widen your audience base as you reel in customers who are still within reach but weren’t a part of your initial plan.

The outcome? Better sales and long-term business growth.

We further fine-tune our local audience targeting plan by segmenting your audience based on geographics, demographics, psychographics, and behavior.

Here’s a closer look at our approach:

Based on our research, we create audience-specific content to increase your reach further.

Let’s say you offer legal support to clients living in Texas.

We’ll analyze your audience and create mini-campaigns for every city in Texas, focusing on the most popular cities like Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, and El Paso.

Our team will use its research to create hyper-specific content that generates more clicks, resulting in a broader outreach.

For instance, we’ll create a blog on the penalties for DWI in Fort Worth to reach a niche audience. This would reel in a hyper-specific part of your audience that would otherwise remain unengaged if a generic SEO plan was employed.

This is one of the most notable benefits of SEO for small businesses. Professional services help companies reach the depths and crevices of their audience, becoming well-dispersed across the particular city or state they’re targeting.

3. Helping You Earn External Credibility

While building internal credibility is essential, it’s not enough.

If you run a local small business, you must gain reputability and trustworthiness in the eyes of third-party industry giants.

Here’s what we mean by this.

Sure, you could boost your reputation by writing high-quality press releases and running a reputation management campaign. These are ways of improving your online reputation through internal means.

While highly effective, these measures shouldn’t be your only course of action.

Make sure you also earn credibility from other businesses, stakeholders, and—most importantly—your customers.

A professional SEO plan helps small businesses combine internal reputation management efforts with external credibility strategies.

At Global-marketing Inc., we get to work right away.

Local link building is one of the best ways to get more people talking about your business.

It refers to earning local links (hyperlinked references) from high-DA websites.

These aren’t your competitors; they’re closely related businesses that have established themselves in the industry.

Recommended Read: What’s Domain Authority (DA)?

For example, if you’re an interior designer operating in New York, you should work towards earning a backlink from a platform like Architectural Digest.

If they include a hyperlink to your services/content, you’ll earn high-quality traffic, i.e., traffic that will most likely convert.

As a high-end architecture and design magazine, Architectural Digest attracts clients looking to get inspired by new trends and make a purchase.

The more high-quality backlinks you earn, the better your online credibility.

The best part?

Google’s hard-to-please algorithm loves good backlinks.

They help Google understand which brands are credible.

If a company like Forbes links to a small business, the latter is doing something right. Forbes wouldn’t just offer anyone a backlink!

When high-DA domains find low-DA domains credible, Google pays attention.

As a result, it boosts the low-ranking site’s authority, helping them enjoy more significant traffic and clicks on Google.

At Global-marketing Inc., we have a specialized local link building team for small businesses.

We use individualized plans to help small businesses dominate SERP rankings.

We help you earn quality backlinks from local industry experts using a professional plan.

Over time, Google will crawl, index, and rank your site better.

4. Beating Out the Competition

How can SEO help you rank?

One of SEO’s most impressive feats is its ability to beat the competition.

Once you start implementing your SEO strategy, you’ll become more visible on the web than your competitors.

At Global-marketing Inc., we use advanced strategies to help you get ahead and stay ahead.

As you outrank your competitors, you’ll start earning a steady stream of traffic and conversions.

Your competitors will relegate to lower ranks, further diminishing their reach.

The ranking gap between the top SEO performers and the weakest businesses gradually increases and cements.

After a certain point, poor performers cannot catch up unless they start implementing a power-packed SEO plan for several months without any breaks.

This is why local SEO is so important for small businesses!

5. Sustaining Stellar Rankings 

Professional SEO services don’t just improve rankings; they also sustain them.

As a small business, you can’t benefit from improved rankings alone. If you rank well for a handful of weeks but eventually revert to fair-to-middling rankings, your business growth will keep fluctuating.

That’s not the goal.

You should aim to achieve consistent, predictable, and high levels of growth, not piecemeal, stagnating, and low levels of growth.

Professional SEO plans are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound).

They work efficiently, effectively, and consistently.

At Global-marketing Inc., we also leverage social media marketing to create even more buzz around your products, services, and brand identity.

When combined with on-page SEO, off-page SEO works exceptionally well in sustaining impressive rankings. It puts the word out and keeps businesses afloat.

Can you believe we are only 19 miles away from New York City? Call us today to find out what makes Modera New Rochelle the best and most convenient choice for your new home!#millcreekres #moderanewrochelle #newyorkcity #newrochelle pic.twitter.com/fOt1CtgmDW

— Modera New Rochelle (@ModeraNRochelle) February 3, 2022

Exciting, optimized with keywords, and direct, this Twitter post is an excellent example of using local off-page SEO to build your brand.

While social media activity doesn’t directly contribute to SEO rankings, it improves your position on SERPs in a roundabout way.

Your business will gain more traction, which will improve its visibility and reach, both online and offline.

The perfect on-page and off-page SEO strategy will ultimately help your small business enjoy stellar rankings that continually improve with time!

Wrapping Up!

In this blog, we offered a closer look at the importance of local SEO for small businesses.

We also helped you understand how SEO can help your business become one of the most sighted domains for local industry-specific search queries.

Ready to start putting these strategies to the test?

We’re here to help you get started!

If you want to hire local SEO experts, take a closer look at our local SEO services.

We fine-tune our plans based on each brand’s industry, target audience, business model, goals, and the specific cities, states, or countries they’re targeting.

Sign up today!

If you have any questions, feel free to chat with us or give us a call at +1(833)405-1025.

It’s time to get your business on track!

The post 6 Ways Professional SEO Services Can Help Your Local Business Rank on Google appeared first on Global-marketing Inc..