Local SEO (search engine optimization) Services in Anchorage goes well beyond optimizing a website for top Google rankings. For example, when you are trying to promote a business that depends on being relevant to customers who live within a certain geographic area, you need to figure out how to maximize your company’s local search results. That way you can increase your brand’s visibility and attract new customers to your business.
Here are five tactics to help boost your local search rankings.
Optimize Your Google My Business Profile for Greater Exposure
When it comes to local SEO, your Google My Business profile is just as (if not more) important than your company’s website. For instance, users will often come across your business listing on Google Maps or in search results before they ever visit your site. Here are some tips on how to optimize your profile for maximum visibility:
- Include your company’s contact details
- Check that your address and operating hours are correct
- Add high-quality photos of your business and products or services
- Allow customers to leave reviews
A complete, fully optimized profile will make your business look more credible to customers.
Upload Product Listings to Your Google My Business Profile
Google allows companies to upload product details (descriptions, photos, and reviews) to their Google My Business profile. Product listings are displayed under the “Products” tab and on Google Maps. Users can then click on the product cards for additional information, as well as click to call the business or visit the company’s website.
Uploading product listings to your profile gives you the opportunity to showcase you company’s products to prospective customers – which can help raise your brand’s visibility and set you apart from competitors.
Advertise Your Products or Services in Local Online Marketplaces
When customers are searching for local businesses, they often turn to locally relevant online marketplaces. That is why advertising your products or services on Craigslist and in the Facebook Marketplace can help you attract more customers. Figure out the online marketplaces that your target market browses – and upload some of your product/service listings to those marketplaces.
Don’t Forget About Other Search Engines
While Google is by far the most popular search engine, it isn’t the only search engine that can help boost your company’s local search exposure. For example, you can build brand awareness on Bing by listing your business on Bing Places. Similarly, creating a business listing on Apple Maps can boost your local SEO rankings on DuckDuckGo.
If your company is international with physical locations in other countries, see which search engines are popular in those respective markets to help you reach more customers.
Monitor Your Brand’s Reputation
Your brand’s reputation can be one of your greatest assets or liabilities. Making sure your business brand is solidified is extremely important. It’s critically important that you regularly keep an eye on your customer reviews and ratings. It only takes a few bad reviews to hurt your local search results – and turn potential customers away from your business.
Most sites like Google My Business will allow you to respond to reviews – which can show that you care about creating a good experience for your customers. If you feel like someone might be purposely trying to harm your business by leaving low ratings, consider hiring a reputation management company to help you remove any potentially damaging (and incorrect) reviews.
In short, when it comes to local search results, there are more things to consider than just using traditional SEO tactics. In order to get ahead of your competition, your company’s profile must stand out on Google Maps, as well as other commonly used business directories like Bing Places and Apple Maps. Promote your products or services on your Google My Business profile – and in locally relevant online marketplaces to attract more customers. Make sure that you stay on top of your reviews to protect your company’s reputation.