A step-by-step guide to better local SEO and Google rankings for your Minneapolis business.
Step One: UNDERSTANDING What Local SEO Means
Why is Local SEO important to my business?
First of all, Local SEO is the process of optimization of your website to attract new customers who search for local businesses.
Similarly, Local SEO goes beyond simply building your website. Once you have your on-site SEO (site content) dialed in you need to work with Google, Bing and Yelp to help potential customers find your products and services online.
What’s the difference between Local SEO and Organic SEO?
Organic SEO is optimizing a website or landing pages to make it search engine friendly. First research relevant keywords and then create well written custom content to help improve Google rankings organic search results. Tips for website content
Local SEO factors in your geographical location in the search results. Google wants to give web users the most relevant results which means business located near them.
In other words, the location of your shop, business or office can play an important factor when customers near you are searching for services or products.
Therefore, if the goal is to drive local customers to your store or online business you can’t ignore local SEO.
Take a look at this Google search result for “Pizza near me” in Minneapolis. Follow the 3 steps below to Improve your local ranking on Google and hopefully your business will appear for people who search for your business near their location.
Step TWO: START BUILDING YOUR ONLINE BRAND
The tools and building blocks for Local SEO
- Above all, make sure your individual web pages are optimized to drive relevant traffic in search engines.
- Next Step: Create or claim your Google My Business listing. Optimization of your Google Business listing is one of the biggest factors on gaining local rankings. Your Google My Business is the control center for how your business’s information is displayed during Google searches.
- Now that your web pages are optimized along with your Google Business site start asking for customers for reviews. Customers reviews are another important ranking factor for search engines and building your online brand.
- Make sure your business is listed with other search engines and sites like BING or Yelp.
- Finally, don’t forget about your social media pages: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Step THREE: OPTIMIZE FOR MOBILE
How does optimizing your website for Mobile impact SEO?
As of 2020 your local customers are using their smartphones and mobile devices to search for products and services they need.
Consequently, I tell business who want a new website design to think mobile-frist.
If it’s a redesign of an existing site review the Google Analytics traffic to see mobile vs. desktop percentages. Then come up with the best strategy for your business based on the web data.
Here’s an example of a business who’s website audience that had 52.4% of users on mobile vs. 44.8% on desktop.
Stats to backup reasons for mobile optimization:
– 82% of online web users own a mobile phone.
– 75% of mobile users will use their smartphones to find businesses online.
– 18% exclusively use their smartphones to search online.
Test your sites mobile speed with PageSpeed Insights from Google:
https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights
HubSpot’s Website Grader is another great resource for checking your website’s performance:
https://website.grader.com
Step FOUR: ASK CUSTOMERS FOR GOOGLE REVIEWS
Getting reviews from your customers is a great way to boost your local SEO.
Start with Google Reviews: Certainly the quality and quantity of Google reviews impact your local rankings.
When a web user is searching for local products or services in Google, your optimized Google Business listings will include customer reviews. These reviews help build your online brand and give your business credibility.
Tip: Always reply to positive and negative reviews. If negative offer solutions to make it right or at least empathize with them. For a positive review I suggest showing them gratitude in your replay. Don’t forget to mention them by name.
Watch this 3 minute video from Google Webmasters on YouTube:
Do I Need a Website? | Search for Beginners
In Conclusion, it takes time, knowledge and hard work to build up your Local SEO.
If you would like to learn more about Local SEO and are looking for a company in Minneapolis to help you with your online business give us a call today. Phone: (612) 643-0650.
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