You’ll need to understand local search engine optimization (SEO) if you want to be more visible to local consumers online. Your local search presence could clearly benefit your business, since 46% of all Google searches are conducted by people looking for products, services, or information in their local area.

Localseotoday.com is a marketing technique that helps local businesses appear in Google’s local search results. Business owners who want to be more easily found online by consumers in their local area carry out this activity. To sell products or services to consumers located in a certain city or town, you need to know about local search marketing.   

The purpose of local SEO is to increase the visibility of a local business on local search engines. The following are best practice strategies: 

• Optimize your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) 
• Management of reputation
• Optimization of websites
• Developing citations
• Adapting to Google’s changes in search
• Link building at the local level
• Combating spam

A local business can use this type of SEO to appear more prominently in the Local Pack, the Local Finder, the localized organic results, as well as on Google Maps.

The local pack

A local search engine results page (SERP) displays the Local Pack at the top. Local Pack results are based on the business profile, not the company’s website. Businesses are listed alongside a map with pins marking their location. To rank in this position, you’ll need a properly set up and optimized Business Profile. 

Finder by location

In the Local Finder, you will find an extended list of local businesses relevant to your search. 

You can access the Local Finder by clicking on the ‘More places’ button at the bottom of the Local Pack:

The results of organic search are localized

Under the Local Pack, you will find the organic results that are localized:

On-page optimization, reviews, and inbound links are among the ranking factors considered by the local search algorithm.

Maps from Google

Google Maps has a much longer list of local businesses.

An alphabetical list of results appears on the left, followed by a map of business locations:

By moving the map and selecting ‘search this area’, you can explore different areas areas locations. 

What is the need for local SEO marketing?

• Local businesses usually have brick-and-mortar locations that need to attract more customers
• Local search engine optimization agencies
• Franchising and multi-location brands
• SABs are businesses in service areas

Local SEO benefits: what are they?

The goal of local SEO marketing is to increase visibility within local search results. Therefore, you can reach more people in your local area, drive more foot traffic, build your reputation, and grow your business.

1. Increase your reach

Your business is more likely to be discovered by more people if you are more visible in local search results. Your website, telephone number, or store’s physical location might be the next step for the searcher.

2. Boost Convers

Increasing search visibility will naturally result in more people finding you visiting your business website—and more web traffic can result in more conversions (such as sales, subscriptions, or service inquiries).

Often, online consumers will find the information they need within the search results, so they won’t need to visit your website.

The image below shows how a searcher can get directions and make a phone call without leaving Google Search. The business’s opening hours and other details are also displayed:

3. Boost Your Reputation

It is essential for long-term success for any business to have a positive reputation, no matter what its type. It is possible to cultivate a positive, public image by conducting local search marketing. 

Obtaining new online reviews regularly is one of the most important aspects of your online reputation, since they are known to play a critical role in consumer decision-making. It is also proven that a steady influx of new reviews increases local SEO rankings, so this is a win-win situation. 

You can learn more about why Google Business Reviews are beneficial and how to get more of them in our guide.

Local SEO: What You Need to Know

As a result, you should be able to confidently answer the question, “What is local SEO marketing? A local business should understand the value of local SEO marketing. 

If you’re interested in local SEO, check out our SEO Learning Hub ready to evolve your strategy the information you need to elevate your local search performance and take your business to the next level of visibility.