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The Power of Local SEO: Get Found in Your Area

February 8, 2024

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8 min read

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Local Business Guide
Local business storefront with happy customers

If you run a local business, local SEO is crucial. We break down how Google My Business, local keywords, and citations can bring in nearby customers.

Did you know 46% of all Google searches have local intent? For businesses serving a specific geographic area, local SEO is the difference between being buried in search results and appearing front-and-center when potential customers search for what you offer. Here's how to dominate your local market.

Optimizing Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the cornerstone of local SEO. When optimized correctly, it can appear in Google's Local Pack (the map results above organic listings).

GBP Optimization Checklist:

  • Complete every section (services, hours, attributes)
  • Add 25+ high-quality photos (interior, exterior, team)
  • Collect genuine customer reviews (respond to all)
  • Use local service area keywords in descriptions
Optimized Google Business Profile example

Pro Tip: Google Posts

Regularly post updates, offers, and events through your GBP dashboard. Businesses that post weekly get 35% more clicks to their website than those who don't. Treat it like a micro-blog for your local audience.

Targeting Local Keywords

Local keyword search results example

"Near me" searches have grown 150%+ in recent years. But effective local SEO goes beyond just adding your city name to keywords.

Local Keyword Strategy:

  • Include neighborhood names (not just city)
  • Create service area pages (e.g., "Plumber in [Neighborhood]")
  • Answer local questions in blog content
  • Optimize for voice search ("best [service] near me")
Service + City

"Emergency Plumber in Austin"

High intent, often used during urgent needs

Neighborhood Focus

"HVAC Repair Downtown Chicago"

Targets specific service areas within cities

Local Landmark

"Restaurants near Wrigley Field"

Leverages well-known local reference points

Building Local Citations

Citations (mentions of your business name, address, and phone number) help search engines verify your legitimacy. Inconsistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) is one of the top ranking deterrents for local SEO.

Essential Citation Sources:

  • •Google Business Profile
  • •Apple Maps
  • •Yelp
  • •Bing Places
  • •Local Chamber of Commerce
  • •Industry-specific directories

NAP Consistency Checker

Use these free tools to audit your citations:

Whitespark Citation FinderBrightLocal Audit ToolMoz Local Checker

Pro Tip: Create a spreadsheet to track all your citations and update them whenever your business information changes.

Local Link Building Strategies

Sponsor Local Events

Get links from school, charity, and community organization websites in exchange for sponsorships.

Local News Features

Pitch story ideas to local journalists about business milestones or unique services.

Partner with Nearby Businesses

Cross-promote with complementary businesses and exchange website links.