7 Best Local SEO Hacks — Skyrocket Local Website Traffic (Free)
Launch Approach: Getting Started
When it comes to boosting your local website traffic, being well versed in the language of SEO is an absolute must. Over 60% of marketers believe improving their SEO and growing their online presence should be a top strategy. While the intricacies of SEO can seem complex, with some basic understanding you can tap into a wealth of opportunities.
Firstly, SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, involves optimizing your website’s content and design to enhance its visibility on search engines. In essence, the higher you rank on Google’s results page, the more traffic you are likely to receive.
Developing a local strategy comes with numerous advantages, including reaching highly-targeted prospects, lowering competition, and shoring up your online reputation. How about we take you through seven of the best local SEO hacks that will help skyrocket your local website traffic for free?
Let’s say you’ve just set up a new online business in New York selling vintage wines. You want customers in the New York region to find you easily when they search for ‘vintage wines’ on Google.
- Create a responsive website optimized for various devices.
- Secure a domain name correlating to your keyword – vintage wines.
- Add relevant Meta Tags, Alt texts, and descriptions related to vintage wines.
- Include local keywords such as ‘New York’ or ‘NYC’ in your content.
- Publish regular blog posts about vintage wines, local wine events, etc.
- Set up Google My Business, associating your business with New York.
The Power of Google My Business
Creating a Google My Business (GMB) profile is one of the most effective ways to improve your local SEO. This tool allows businesses to manage their online presence across all Google platforms. It’s a free marketing tool that lets you connect with your customers through Google Search and Google Maps.
Essentially, a GMB profile provides a snapshot of your business on Google, displaying crucial information like your business’s name, location, hours, and customer reviews. Being part of Google’s ecosystem, it’s needless to say how much influence GMB has on your local SEO.
Ready to unlock the power of Google My Business? Here’s how to get started.
Imagine this scenario: You’re a florist based in San Francisco. Your first step would be to create a Google My Business account for your florist business.
- Sign up using your business email or personal Gmail address.
- Name your business accurately and provide the exact physical location.
- List your business operation hours.
- Give a concise, engaging description about what you offer.
- Add photos of your best floral arrangements or store setup.
- Make sure to consistently update and optimize your listing over time.
Keyword Targeting: Code Language of SEO
Keywords are essential components of any sound SEO strategy. Google uses them to understand what your site is about and how relevant it is to a user’s search query. The more optimized your keywords, the better your chances of ranking higher.
Local keyword targeting involves combining commonly searched keywords with geographic locations. This helps your website appear in localized searches, driving more targeted traffic to your site.
Here’s a simple contextual demonstration:
Say you’ve opened a coffee shop in Boston called ‘The Wired Bean’.
- You need to identify popular local keywords relating to coffee shops in Boston.
- Consider using long-tail keywords like ‘Coffee Shop Boston’ or ‘Boston Downtown Coffee Shop’.
- Integrate these keywords strategically into your web content, headings, meta descriptions, and URLs.
- Create a blog with content that revolves around Boston’s coffee culture.
- Make use of keywords in image alt texts and captions on your site.
- Avoid ‘keyword stuffing’ – overusing keywords to the point where content seems unnatural.
Summary:
| Local SEO Hacks | Steps | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Create a Google My Business account | Easily set it up using your business email or Gmail, provide accurate business information, add engaging images | Enhanced visibility on Google Search and Maps, better engagement with customers |
| Target local keywords | Identify popular local keywords, integrate these strategically into your web content | Better chances of appearing in localized searches, drives more targeted traffic |
