Editor’s Note: This article was posted by Brittyn Odland, Internet Marketing Associate at Fox Pest Control. Odland graduated from Utah State University, where she received a BS in Marketing and a minor in Psychology. You can contact her at brittyno@fox-pest.com.
You may have heard of local search engine optimization (SEO).
For example, if a potential customer does a local search for “pest control in Long Island, NY”, you want your business information to appear first. This is one of the best ways to get calls that lead to customers.
If you’re not focused on improving your local SEO, here are some ways you can improve it.
website
A website is an integral part of your local marketing strategy. It should represent your brand, provide valuable information to potential customers, and encourage them to contact you.
For Google to show your website higher in local searches, it must share your location with the website. Site title tags, meta descriptions, and location keywords in your content help Google rank your company.
It’s also important to include local business addresses and phone numbers on your site. This makes it clear where your customers can find you. Please note that your NAP information (name, address, phone number) must be the same for all online platforms. Consistency is important to build customer trust and prove your legitimacy to Google.
Google My Business
A Google My Business (GMB) listing is what users in your listed service area see when they Google you or your services. Provide the information necessary to decide whether to contact you.
Optimize your list to best represent your organization. This includes entering your exact business type, service area, hours of operation, phone number, website and services provided. Do your best to frequently add high-quality photos that represent your brand.
The Q&A section is a new feature that allows Google to publish questions about your business to users. GMB account owners or administrators should draft answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) and make sure they are posted. If you share, be sure to upvote both the question and the answer. This allows you to provide valuable information to your potential customers so they don’t have to look elsewhere for answers.
Fighting Google Maps spam is another strategy for increasing the number of local leads. The pest control industry naturally amasses thousands of fake his GMB lists. Some fraudulent businesses use fake business names, addresses, etc. to create extra listings. Reporting these spam accounts will increase the rank of your account.
Social media
In this digital age, social media is an important tool used to interact with customers. Remember, top brands use Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter as part of their customer service strategy. Decide which platform is best for you, plan and grow your local followers.
The key to a successful pest control social media account is being active and accessible. Use this space to communicate and post content with prospective and past customers in order to strengthen your relationship with your brand. Share valuable and relevant information tailored to the pest control needs of your area and target market.
join the community
Internet marketing is important, but so are relationships. This is a great time to give back and find ways to serve those in need. Companies need to think about the big picture, so recognize that these actions can help increase brand awareness. By expanding strategic partnerships, the organization may, in return, provide backlinks and shoutouts on its website and social media.
Improving your local SEO and attracting more customers requires website optimization, up-to-date GMB listings, and social media presence. When combined with philanthropy, it helps build relationships with current and potential clients. By focusing on these four marketing tips, you can build and support your brand and successfully grow your business.
