DIY Small Business Website SEO
Chapter 1: How to Properly Structure a Small Business Website

1.8 Local SEO

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Local SEO is a set of techniques and strategies to optimize your website and online presence to rank higher in local search results. It is particularly important for businesses that have a physical location or serve a specific geographic area. By focusing on local SEO, you can increase your visibility and attract more customers from your target area. To use local SEO on your website, follow these steps:

  1. Conduct keyword research. Identify the most relevant keywords and phrases for your business and target area. Tools like Google Ads Keyword Planner can help you find the right keywords for your local SEO efforts.

  2. Optimize your website's content. Create high-quality, relevant, and engaging content that includes your target keywords. Make sure to use these keywords naturally and strategically in your content, including your title tags, meta descriptions, and image alt tags.

  3. Create location-specific pages. If your business has multiple locations, create dedicated pages for each location. Include the full address, phone number, and business hours for each location, as well as any other relevant information, such as local landmarks or nearby attractions.

  4. Optimize your Google Profile. Make sure your Google Profile is complete and up-to-date. This includes adding your business's name, address, phone number, and website, as well as high-quality photos and accurate business hours. Encourage customers to leave reviews on your Google Profile, as positive reviews can improve your local search rankings.

  5. Build local citations. A local citation is any mention of your business's name, address, and phone number (NAP) on the web. Build local citations by submitting your business information to local directories, review sites, and social media platforms. Make sure your NAP is consistent across all these platforms, as this can help improve your local search rankings.

  6. Monitor and track your progress. Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor your website's performance and track your local SEO efforts. This will help you identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to optimize your local SEO strategy.

By following these steps and staying up-to-date with the latest local SEO best practices, you can improve your website's visibility in local search results and attract more customers to your business.