It’s no surprise that local SEO can be challenging. Based on your location, you may have to compete with hundreds, if not thousands of other websites, to rank locally.
Worse, Google’s new update where it shows paid advertisements above the local SEO results isn’t too motivating either. So, does that mean you cannot rank locally through SEO in 2022 and beyond?
No.
With proper website optimization, you can still nail the local SEO game. Find out all the details in this article.
Make Sure Your Homepage Has Relevant Information
Your homepage usually holds the bulk part of the link equity because it’s where the web visitors connect. The links you have created linking to your homepage allow your website to rank higher in the search results. So, the homepage is where you should target your top keywords.
Content is often ignored when creating the homepage for your site, but it can be the most critical factor concerning the keywords you’re aiming for.
Your homepage is an opportunity to educate the web visitor of your background, where you’re from, what you can offer and why someone should follow you. Make sure you include thorough details about your services and products.
Create a Webpage For Every Location and Service
Are you a multi-location business? If yes, it is crucial to create a landing page for each location.
This will enable you to target geo-specific keywords within your content and metadata. Don’t forget to include NAP information (name, address, telephone number) along with business hours, photos of the store, etc.
Do not forget to create a dedicated page for each service you offer.
Earlier, it was okay to list all the services and information on one single page. However, times have changed. Only one keyword mentioned on one page is not enough. You need to create dedicated pages and sprinkle them with keyword groups.
Do Not Compromise on the Quality Content
The quality of content you create shouldn’t end on the home page. Every page you design should contain high quantity content.
We have mentioned above that you need to have an individual page for each of the services. Think about taking that step further and breaking these into sub-services. Make sure to do proper keyword research for each sub-service as well. This will increase the chances of gaining more traffic.
Keep in mind that Google will give the best possible answers to its users. And often, the best option isn’t always the most comprehensive solution.
Focus on the URLs
This is among the most SEO practices for any website. If you’re utilizing WordPress and your permalinks structure is: %%post-name%%, you should be good to go. However, the same does not apply to other CMS platforms like Wix or Joomla, so you need to tweak your permalinks accordingly.
The key here is not to have incorrect or spammy permalinks, utilizing lowercase letters and hyphens.
Not ideal: domain.com/phoenix-wedding-photographer-wedding-photos-senior-portraits/
Ideal: domain.com/wedding-photographer-phoenix/
The first example is notably over-optimized. You need to keep it simple.
Note that when a person’s search query matches your keyword in the URL, Google makes it bold in the search result pages.
Optimize the Title Tags
No doubt, title tags are the second most crucial ranking factor for SEO and page content quality.
Title tags can be edited inside the HTML content section of your website. You can use the YOAST SEO plugin if you are using WordPress to edit the title tags in the dashboard.
The title tag is displayed in search results as a blue link.
Suggested Format: Keyword City | Business Name
Example: Local Seo Consulting in South Carolina | Ryan Alford
Final Word
Nailing the local SEO game is not only about getting the most citations. You need to optimize your website accordingly to get the best results. We are sure the above website optimization tips will help you nail the local SEO game!
Good luck!
Eada Hudes is an Arts student whose experiences in life make her really tougher than anyone else. She can lend you expert tips on diverse topics ranging from relationship to fashion,technology, making money, health and so on. Her write-ups are a window into her thoughts and knowledge.
