If you’re thinking of including local SEO in your website, but don’t quite know where to start, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll go through the basics of local SEO, including a basic definition, what’s involved, the pros and cons of including local SEO on your website, whether you can do it yourself and when to call in the team from Rise SEO.
What is Local SEO?
Simply put, local SEO does what it says it does. It’s the process of using keyword research and targeted keywords to attract customers looking for specific products or services in certain locations.
For instance, if someone was looking for web design or search engine optimisation in Brendale, they might type in the keywords “web design Brisbane” or “SEO Brisbane” and be directed to our website, because we offer services to clients in those areas, and have strategically placed keywords in content to attract Google – and by extension, businesses like yours – to our website.
Similarly, if someone typed in “hairdressers Brendale” or “hairdressers Strathpine”, they would be greeted with search results featuring all the hairdressers in those specific locations, and be able to whittle down their choice from there.
What are the Benefits of Local SEO?
There are numerous benefits businesses can tap into when using local SEO. Some of the reasons our clients rave about local SEO (and the techniques we equip them with as experts in digital marketing) are:
Increased Visibility
Local SEO is fantastic for increased visibility – particularly if you’re trying to crack the local market. It gets your business name out there so current and potential customers can see what you’re all about and work with you when searching for the products and services you provide.
Improved Chance of Sales Conversion
Because local SEO targets the local component of your demographic, it’s smaller than your overall demographic. Therefore, you have more chance of conversion in a local market than you do if you just incorporated standard SEO tactics while ignoring those who were closer to home.
Local Focus
Having a local focus using the techniques employed by local SEO means you can hone in on local issues that will appeal to your local audience. This lets them know that you are an active community business who is there for members of your local community.
When Shouldn’t You Implement Local SEO?
Local SEO isn’t for everyone, so here are some of the reasons you might not want to incorporate this strategy into your digital marketing and advertising.
If You Aren’t Local or Aren’t Open to New Customers
It almost goes without saying that if you aren’t interested in attracting business from new local customers, there’s probably no point in investing in local SEO. The same is true if you aren’t local and aren’t open to accepting new customers in the area you’re advertising in.
For instance, if you’re based on Sydney’s northern beaches and your target market is in that area alone, there’d be absolutely no reason you’d employ local SEO on searches based in WA.
When You Want A Quick Fix
When you’re looking for an instant hit of new customers because you have a new sale you need to tell your clientele about, or your business has recently changed hands and you want to promote this fact while encouraging new customers to reach out, local SEO might not be the best option for you.
Like all SEO, local SEO takes time to initiate and build on a following in a new sector.
If You Need Maintenance-Free
Unless you’re employing experts like ours at Rise SEO, local SEO might not be the solution you need to attract new customers to your door. Because the online world and the search marketing industry is constantly changing, local SEO is almost always in need of constant change.
When to Call in the Experts
While some have seen great returns when implementing local SEO into their website and digital marketing strategies, it is not something we at Rise SEO would recommend you attempt if you’re just starting out.
Just as you’re experts in your field of choice, at Rise SEO, we’re experts in digital marketing and initiating local SEO protocols you and your business can rely on to truly work. We have over 20 years of combined experience as SEO and digital marketing consultants, with access to some of the latest and best technology applications on the Australian market.
So why waste all that time and money worrying about how local SEO works and trying to get started yourself?
To make the most of local SEO and find out how it can help your business, contact the experts at Rise SEO today.