Local is a digital channel that connects businesses with consumers who are looking for a product, service, or information in a specific geographic area. Whether it’s an auto body shop in Phoenix or a financial planner in San Francisco, local search is vital to the success of any business that serves a locally-based clientele.
Google’s local search algorithm matches searchers with relevant results when they enter queries with local intent. This includes searches for things like “pizza near me,” which can be very helpful to a person who is unsure where a particular pizza joint is located and is searching for something that they can walk to after work.
The proximity factor is one of the most important aspects of the Google local search algorithm. It’s the reason that Google displays a map of nearby locations in its results, even when a user doesn’t include a city name or “near me” in their search query.
There are a few ways to ensure that your business shows up in the local map pack and the organic search results, including optimizing your Google My Business profile, building relevant links, and improving your website’s content. In addition to Google’s search ranking algorithms, citations and reviews play an important role in determining your local rank.
Business review sites are a great way to gather honest feedback from customers and improve your business. Yelp is a popular review site for local marketing, but there are many other options for companies of all sizes and industries.
Adding your business’s address, phone number, and opening hours to the review site helps increase visibility. Moreover, it will help ensure that the reviews you receive are accurate and current.
Aside from helping your local SEO, business review websites are also a great place to find new customers and build loyalty with existing ones. These platforms allow you to respond to customer inquiries, share coupons and deals, and engage with prospects in real time.
As the modern consumer thrives on information, online reviews are an essential part of a successful local business strategy. Positive reviews give potential customers social proof that your business is a trustworthy and reliable place to do business.
Reviews are an important part of your SEO strategy because they influence a variety of key metrics, including search engine visibility, conversion rates, and website traffic. It’s crucial to collect and manage a variety of customer reviews across multiple high-authority review platforms, including Google, Facebook, and Yelp.
The more reviews your business has, the better chance it has of showing up in the local map pack and in the organic search results for your target keywords. If you’re unable to get reviews for your business, consider asking your customers who have used your services in the past to leave them on your Google My Business page.
Another option is to request reviews from your local Facebook Page followers, which will appear on your page and in the Local Services Ads that you run. You can turn this on by going to your business’s page and selecting the ratings and reviews setting.