“Near me” searches are driving local business success
For mobile and desktop users, “near me” searches continue to dominate local business discovery, with 76% of consumers who search for “near me” visiting a business within a day. This article will help small business owners understand how Local SEO works in 2025 and provide actionable strategies to improve their online presence based on location.
How to Optimize Your Business for Local Search – Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN
Start by optimizing your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). If you don’t have a profile set up, you’re missing out on nearly 50% of search queries. Recent changes in 2024 have streamlined the platform, making it even more crucial for local visibility.
Your Google Business Profile allows you to manage your business information directly through Google Search and Maps. This includes your:
- Business address with Google Maps integration
- Website URL
- Contact information
- Operating hours
- Photos and logo
- Business description
- Products and services
- Customer reviews
This free tool is your most powerful asset for connecting with local customers searching for your services.
Twin Cities Google Local Pack: Your Gateway to Local Visibility
The Google Local Pack (formerly known as the local 3-pack) appears at the top of search results for location-based queries. This prime real estate is crucial for local businesses, appearing in nearly 93% of local searches.
To improve your chances of appearing in the Local Pack:
- Maintain consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across all platforms
- Generate and respond to customer reviews regularly
- Add high-quality photos of your business
- Keep your business hours accurate and updated
- Use relevant business categories in your Google Business Profile
Pro Tip: Focus on proximity, relevance, and prominence – the three main factors Google uses to determine Local Pack rankings.
So what is SERP? Search Engine Results Page.
The goal is to have your business to be listed near the top of page results based on the users search query. Showing up for “near me” searches in the SERP is crucial to the ability of customers to find information about your business.
These results can include: pay-per-click (PPC) ads, organic search results and Google My Business listings with reviews.
Domain Authority and E-E-A-T
Google now emphasizes E-E-A-T in its evaluation of websites:
E – Experience
E – Expertise
A – Authority
T – Trust
Your content should demonstrate first-hand experience with your products or services, along with professional expertise in your field. This builds authority and trust with both users and search engines.
Local Link Building Strategies for 2025
Building quality local backlinks remains crucial for local SEO success. Here are proven strategies:
Local Business Partnerships
- Partner with complementary local businesses
- Create co-branded content or events
- Exchange legitimate referrals
Community Involvement
- Sponsor local events
- Join your Chamber of Commerce
- Support local charities and document your involvement
Local Content Creation
- Write about local events and news
- Create neighborhood guides
- Feature local success stories
Remember: Quality over quantity. One backlink from a respected local news site or business organization can be worth more than dozens of low-quality links.
Google Ad Strategies That Work
While organic rankings are important, Google Ads can provide immediate visibility for your local business. Here’s how to maximize your PPC investment:
Location Extensions
- Connect your Google Business Profile to your ads
- Show your address, phone number, and business hours
- Enable location-based bid adjustments
Local Keywords
- Target neighborhood-specific terms
- Use location-based ad customizers
- Include “near me” variations
Smart Bidding
- Utilize Google’s AI-powered bidding strategies
- Focus on location-based conversion tracking
- Adjust bids based on geographic performance
Budget Tip: Start with a small, focused campaign targeting your immediate service area before expanding to wider regions.
Local Keyword Strategy
Potential customers use search engines to help them find businesses in their area that offer the products or services they need.
Hence, to appear in their search results, you need to add local keywords into your site and web pages. This is another important step to showing up on page one of Google search results.
Start with specifying your location. The most important step in finding local SEO keywords is specifying your location. Then focus on industry related keywords or topics. Include keyword modifiers.
For local searches, you’ll want add keyword phrases with the location.
For Example: Try this for a Minneapolis business.
- Minneapolis [business type/product/service]
- [business type/product/service] in Minneapolis
- Best [business type/product/service] in Minneapolis
Beyond adding these location keywords you need to create great content related to your business or topic. I cover more of this in an article called: Tips and Suggestions for Website Content
Maximize the Power of Your Customer Reviews
Reviews are now more critical than ever for local SEO success. Here’s your review management strategy:
Generate Reviews Consistently
- Create a simple review request process
- Follow up with satisfied customers
- Use QR codes in-store for easy reviewing
Respond to All Reviews
- Thank positive reviewers
- Address negative reviews professionally
- Show your business’s personality in responses
Monitor Your Review Profile
- Track review sentiment across platforms
- Address common concerns in your business operations
- Use review insights to improve customer experience
Important: Never buy fake reviews or engage in review manipulation – it can result in severe penalties from Google.
Google My Business SEO 2025 (7 Tricks to Rank Higher in Google Maps).
In conclusion to rank for Local “Near Me” search results these are the steps to take.
- Start a Google My Business Listing
- If you have one already make sure it’s optimized
- Work on keywords and add location
- Ask for Google Reviews
- Write content related to your business
