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Nearly 46% of all searches on Google have local intent. What does that mean?
Almost half of the people searching online are looking for businesses, products, or services near them.
It clearly tells that whether you’re running a cozy neighborhood cafe or managing a chain of fitness centers across states, if you’ve mastered regional search optimization, no one can stop you from thriving in your business.
Here comes the million-dollar question — How do I cut through the noise and make my business shine in regional search results?
Our answer is — follow this guide. In this blog guide, we’ve shared 8 strategies for boosting regional search results.
Optimize for local keywords
Start with the basics — speak the local lingo. Do some regional keyword research. What terms are people using in your area to find businesses like yours?
Once you’ve got a handle on that, include those keywords in your website content, meta descriptions, and even in your image alt text.
Create location-specific landing pages
If you run a business in multiple locations, create unique landing pages for each one. Ensure that you do not copy and paste — Google’s too smart for that one.
Each page that you create should have location-specific content, like local events you’re involved in or testimonials from local customers. Don’t forget to optimize those on-page elements for local SEO.
Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing
Did you claim your Google My Business (GMB) listing? No?
What are you waiting for?
This is one of the fastest ways to appear in local search results. Make sure all of your business information is accurate and complete. Optimize your GMB listing by adding photos, business hours, address, phone number, etc. And always respond to reviews.
Get customer reviews and ratings.
Customer reviews and ratings hold the power to make or break a local business.
Tell us, would you go to a restaurant with your family when you see a 1 or 2-star rating and tons of bad reviews about that restaurant? But how about a restaurant with a 4.6-star rating and positive reviews about food, hygiene, and staff behavior? Got your answer?
Implement a strategy to collect reviews from happy customers. You can send a follow-up email after a purchase or offer a small incentive to leave feedback.
Build local backlinks
This is a secret we’re sharing with you. Building backlinks can significantly boost your regional search results and rank you in SERP.
Most local businesses do not focus on link building, but this is your chance to take a giant leap ahead. If link building sounds like a lot of work to you, you can outsource that to a white label link building services provider. These link-building agencies create high-quality and valuable content and publish on high-authority websites in your industry on your behalf.
This is easier than you think. You just need to do one thing carefully: choose a reputable provider who is aware of the significance of creating links naturally and organically.
Learn and leverage schema markup
Schema markup might sound techy, but it really isn’t. It’s just a way of helping search engines understand your content better. Learn local business schema and implement it on your website to provide clear, structured data about your business.
Use social media for local engagement
We bet you’re using social media already. But are you using it to optimize your regional search results?
Social media could be a strong tool for local engagement. Create and maintain location-specific profiles on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Share local content regularly, interact with your regional audience, and use location tags in your posts. Aim to build a local community around your brand.
Focus on mobile optimization
Today, most local searches are happening on mobile devices. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re missing out big time. Make sure your website has a responsive design that looks great on all devices.
While you’re at it, work on improving the load speed of your page. No one likes waiting around for a slow website, especially when they’re on their way.
Conclusion
Boosting your regional search results takes consistent effort and a willingness to adapt. The strategies given in this blog will help you dominate your local search.
When implementing these strategies, remember your goal should be providing value to your local community, both online and offline.