Strategies and tactics for improving local SEO
The strategy for improving local SEO focuses on three main components: optimizing Google My Business (GMB), enhancing local citations, and creating localized content.
To optimize GMB, businesses should claim and verify their listings, fill in all information fields, and upload high-quality photos. Encouraging satisfied customers to leave positive reviews and responding to all reviews are also critical. Regular updates, accurate business categories, business hours, and active use of the Q&A feature help in maintaining and improving the GMB presence.
Improving local citations involves auditing existing citations, ensuring NAP consistency, and creating listings on authoritative local and industry-specific directories. Using tools like Moz Local can aid in managing citations effectively. Updating outdated information and leveraging social media profiles for additional citations are also important steps.
Creating localized content means researching local keywords and integrating them into blog posts, guides, and service pages. Embedding Google Maps, using local keywords in meta tags and URLs, and collaborating with local influencers contribute to higher local search rankings. Monitoring and adjusting content strategies based on performance is essential for ongoing improvement.
The strategies
⛳️ Strategy 1: Optimise Google My Business
- Claim and verify your Google My Business listing
- Complete all business information fields on Google My Business
- Upload high-quality photos of your business
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews
- Respond to all customer reviews
- Post regular updates with news, offers, and events
- Ensure your business category is accurate
- Include your business hours and update them for holidays
- Use the Q&A feature to answer common questions
- Monitor and update your listing regularly
⛳️ Strategy 2: Improve Local Citations
- Audit existing citations for accuracy
- Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) consistency across all listings
- Create listings on prominent local directories
- Submit your business to industry-specific directories
- Update any outdated or incorrect information promptly
- Monitor and manage your online reviews on all citation sources
- Use tools like Moz Local to find and manage citations
- Create content including local keywords on citation websites
- Utilise social media profiles for additional citations
- Regularly check and update citation data
⛳️ Strategy 3: Create Localised Content
- Research local keywords using tools like Google Keyword Planner
- Create blog posts about local events and news
- Write comprehensive local guides and lists (e.g., top 10 local eateries)
- Embed a Google map with your location in your content
- Include location-specific pages for each service/product you offer
- Optimise website meta tags and descriptions with local keywords
- Use local keywords in your URL structure
- Publish customer testimonials and case studies from local clients
- Collaborate with local influencers and bloggers
- Monitor content performance and adjust strategy accordingly
Bringing accountability to your strategy
It's one thing to have a plan, it's another to stick to it. We hope that the examples above will help you get started with your own strategy, but we also know that it's easy to get lost in the day-to-day effort.
That's why we built Tability: to help you track your progress, keep your team aligned, and make sure you're always moving in the right direction.
Give it a try and see how it can help you bring accountability to your strategy.
