Did you know that 46% of Google searches have local intent?
This stat alone gives us an indication of how important local SEO is. If you implement good local SEO for your business, you can tap into local search volume, thereby increasing exposure and sales.
Local SEO is also imperative for keeping up with the competition. Although only 30% of small businesses have an SEO strategy in place, this is likely to change. What's more a lot of small businesses already have a certain degree of local search visibility.
Don't let a lack of local SEO put you in the back of the pack. Instead, keep reading to find out the benefits of local SEO and how to implement it.
Local Search Results Are the New Yellow Pages
One of the top reasons why local SEO has become so important is that local search results are the new yellow pages.
Think about it, what's the first thing you do when you need to find a certain type of business near you? You probably hop on Google and do a search.
From here, you may browse through what comes up and click on a local website that's ranking on the first page.
If you're still thinking, "do I really need to implement local SEO?" consider this. In previous times, would you, as a business, not list yourself in the yellow pages? Would you purposefully make your business hard to find for potential customers?
It’s Easier to Rank in Local Search
Another reason why local Google SEO is an important part of any business's marketing strategy is that it's easier to rank for.
Location-specific search results are getting a little more crowded. However, there's still less competition than if you try to compete on a nationwide level.
For instance, let's say you run a plumbing company. Currently, there are roughly 126,627 plumbing businesses in the US. Some of them with large marketing budgets and teams.
Competing against these companies can be very hard. However, if you target local search results, you don't have to. Instead, you only have to compete against the other plumbers in your immediate area.
Google and other search engines want to provide local searchers with relevant results. It would rather display your business or listing, than that of a large plumbing franchise in a neighboring state—as that wouldn't be useful to the searcher.
Local Searches Bring You New Feet
One of the big benefits of local SEO for physical businesses is it can draw in new feet almost immediately.
Once your local SEO strategies are in place, and visitors can find you in search, you might immediately see an uptick in customers.
According to data from Google, 76% of consumers visit a business within the day of finding it in a local search.
Local Searches Usually Have Purchasing Intent
One of the reasons why local SEO can bring customers in so quickly is because local searches often have immediate purchasing intent.
For instance, if someone is searching for a craft supplies store, they probably intend to buy supplies from it in the very near future.
This isn't always the case with general SEO. General SEO practices are typically a slower burn with a longer sales funnel.
For example, if you sell air purifiers online, you might publish blog posts about the benefits of clean air. This could attract visitors to your site who, after reading your content, feel they need an air purification system. However, they might take a number of weeks or months to actually make a purchase decision.
In contrast, with local searches, consumers have usually already reached the decision phase of the buyer journey. They have an idea of what they need and are ready to find a business that can supply it.
According to the same Google data we referenced above, 28% of all local searches result in a purchase.
Because local search can trigger immediate sales, one of the best local SEO tips is to implement it as soon as possible so you can start ranking locally and reel in those customers who are ready to buy.
Ranking in Local Search Increases Credibility
Another of the many benefits of local SEO is it can increase the credibility of a business.
If you show up in local search results, this shows potential customers that your business is active. It also indicates that you are customer-focused and professional. This is because local SEO focuses on building and cleaning up citations through things like Google My Business Listings, reviews, and directory listings.
All of these elements help to increase credibility.
Imagine you google a specific type of business in your area. The results will probably display three Google My Business listings, and the websites of various local plumbing businesses. Chances are, you'll give more attention and trust to the three Google My Business listings than to the list of plumbing sites.
If you consider it like this, it's not surprising that study results reveal Google My Business listings to be the #1 influencing
factor in local SEO.
Local SEO Practices Increase Exposure
Last but not least, appearing in local search results also increases exposure. Even if consumers don't visit your business immediately, seeing you in local search will keep you top of mind.
When they are ready to buy, there's a great chance they'll come to you if they are already familiar with your name and what you offer.
Are You Ready to Press Go On Your Local SEO?
As you can see, implementing local SEO is vital if you own a location-based business. Not only can it increase your visibility, but it can also quickly draw in new customers, many of which have immediate purchasing intent.
If you are ready to hit go on your local SEO campaign, you are in the right place. We specialize in professional local SEO, complete with a full citation audit.
Instead of you having to find out the latest local SEO tips, and spending hours creating citations, backlinks, and directory listings, we do it all for you. When we're done you will have top-notch local SEO in place for your business.
Contact us to get started today.
