Smartphone-dependent consumers increasingly use their mobile phones to search for what is nearby. They use search terms like “near me” or “nearby” and apps like AroundMe, Find Near Me, and Google Maps. They use technology to find the food they are craving or the product/service they need. Having a mobile-friendly website and an up-to-date Google Business Profile will make it quick and easy for prospective customers to find you and the information they seek.
According to a WebFX report, 80% of local searches convert. This means the searcher takes action and calls your business, requests information, places an order, or makes a purchase. Here is how you, too, can cash in on this behavior.
- Make your website mobile-friendly AND responsive
– Not only do you want your Web pages to show up on smartphones and tablets but you also want them to load quickly and look their best on whatever device the customer happens to use
– Make sure all information is correct and up-to-date especially your NAP (name, address, and phone number) - Claim or update your Google Business Profile page
– Let Tate Design add sought-after information, keywords, and graphics that will make you stand out from the crowd - Prominently display often-searched-for information
– Location—both an address and a Google map
– Driving directions
– Hours
– Parking options nearby
– Contact information
– Special offers
– A list of products or services
– Reviews
– High-quality photos of your premises and products along with descriptive alt-tags
One exception: if you are in food service, do not just post a picture of your menu
Both search engines and those using screen readers for accessibility will appreciate a text version of your menu and a clearly labelled link to “download PDF of Dana’s Diner” (or a similar clear explanation of the desired action) in addition to photos - Encourage visitors to leave reviews
– Reviews boost rankings—find out how easy it is to add a “Leave a review” button to your website - Blog
– Provide interesting and valuable information in your blog
– Naturally include your keywords and the name of your city and nearby places - Be social
– Mention what is happening in your town
– Post today’s local specials
– Encourage conversation with best-of lists and questions like “Did you know?” and “Your thoughts?” - Invest in Google Ads
– Digital advertising allows you to target local prospects with keywords that are highly relevant to your target market - Get listed in local online directories
– Start with your local Chamber of Commerce
– If you went to college nearby, get an alumni society listing
– Add listings in the regional directories that are most relevant to your industry
These components of your online presence help you fulfill the ranking factors of Google’s Local Search update from November 2021: distance, prominence, and relevance. By sharing your address and a map location, it is clear if you are nearby. Your prominence or trust factor increases with a mobile-friendly website, an outstanding user experience, a Google Business Profile with all the desired information all in one place, good reviews, and the sharing of valuable information and your expertise. The more your digital content matches what viewers are searching for, the greater your relevance.
These are just a few of the steps you can take to improve your local search results. We at Tate Design can show you more. We
• Know the ins and outs of SEO and use this knowledge to your advantage
• Build responsive, mobile-friendly websites
• Create optimized content for you and your local area
• Help you get listed in a number of other directories
• Show you how to use Google’s many tools to give you a distinct advantage in the local marketplace
Start capturing the attention of nearby customers with improvements to your business’ local SEO. Give Tate Design a call today at 610.725.0702 or e-mail i[email protected].
Updated November 2022
