Worried about your local business’ online reputation?
Are you happy with the reviews?
Wondering how you can meet customer expectations and get closer to 5 Stars?
Online reviews can make or break your business. Especially in the age of smartphones for on-the-go research.
On June 8th, I hosted a webinar with Marc Hansen, Podium’s senior director of revenue marketing, and Kelley Knott, co-founder of Intrepy Healthcare Marketing.
Hansen and Knott showed how to stay competitive, stay ahead of the curve, and win customers before they even walk into your store.
Here is the webinar overview.
Complete the form to access the full presentation.
What is Local SEO?
Local businesses rely on an online presence, with 97% of users searching for local businesses online.
A local business is a business that is physically present.
Local SEO is search engine optimization for local marketing.
How does Google determine local search rankings?
- Relevance – Connect searches to answers.
- Distance – How close a searcher is to your business.
- Public Reputation – Online reputation for your business.
[Discover how to win in local SEO] Access the webinar now →
Local SEO myths
Many small local businesses still don’t believe in the power of SEO. As a matter of fact, if your marketing budget is low, you should consider SEO.
Let’s take a look at some myths that hold back most businesses.
Myth 1: Organic search and local SEO are the same thing.
Fact: Organic SEO is based on relevance to search terms. Local SEO, on the other hand, is based on location signals.
Myth 2: Reviews are a “nice to have”.
Fact: Reviews are a “must have”.
[See what Google feature consumers use before walking into a business] Access the webinar now →
Myth 3: The way consumers discover businesses hasn’t changed much over the past few years.
Fact: The way consumers discover your business is changing. you should too
Myth #4: Consumers want the “best” and are willing to travel to get it.
Fact: Consumers want the “best of the best” and want it close at hand.
Searches for “best burger” increased 400% year over year.
Searches of type “near me” or “near me” have increased by over 900% in two years.
Myth 5: Print and online advertising drive in-person visits.
FACT: Local smartphone searches drive real visits.
Pretty storefronts aren’t going to cut it anymore. When consumers’ top priorities are quality and convenience, an online review can be as long as 1,000 words.
[See what consumers are looking for aside from convenience] Access the webinar now →
Myth 6: Google favors top ranking businesses, regardless of whether they are local or not.
FACT: Google prioritizes local businesses in local search results.
Now that these myths have been debunked, it’s time to optimize your local SEO.
6 best practices for local search
The following simple steps will help you get the most out of your local search listings and attract better reviews. The higher the quality of customers you attract, the more likely they are to have a great experience.
1. Check your current location
Over 70% of all searches come through Google. This means that Google will often show verified results higher than unknown results.
How to verify your listing:
- Confirm by phone, email, or mail.
- Please review all information to verify accuracy and last minute changes.
- You will not be able to update your business name until the verification process is complete.
2. Add high quality photos
Businesses with photo profiles get 35% more clickthroughs than profiles without images.
Additionally, listings with photos receive 42% more requests for driving directions.
[See what your profile should include] Access the webinar now →
Please keep in mind the following best practices:
- Optimize all your photos for both desktop and mobile devices.
- Prioritize taking compelling photos of your business, product or service.
- Add metadata to each image to boost rankings without displaying keywords directly.
3. Keep your Google Business Profile (GBP) up to date
did you know? He 31% of consumers reported being more likely to look at his GBP listings for local businesses before visiting than they were before the pandemic.
Information required for GBP listing:
- Who you are (name, website, business description, categories, attributes, opening date, photo).
- Your location (address, service area).
- Hours when customers can visit (business hours, holidays)
Search screenshot [Primary Children’s Hospital]Google, June 2022[Find out how to be consistent with your listing] Access the webinar now →
4. Use keywords
Location keywords are powerful because 72% of consumers searching for local businesses visit businesses within 5 miles of their current location.
How to use keywords to your advantage:
- Use keywords everywhere in your description while still sounding natural.
- Start from Service in Location (SiL) (additional [in “your location”] for any product or service).
- If you’re having trouble getting started, use a keyword generator tool.
5. Increase and manage online reviews
Reviews have a big impact on consumers. 88% say reviews influence their decision to venture into new business.
Additionally, consumers are willing to travel farther and spend more money to patronize higher rated businesses.
[See the statistics] Access the webinar now →
How to increase your total review count and average rating:
- Request a review by text.
- Create a shortcut for your Google Reviews link.
- We reply to both negative and positive reviews. Use a reputation management platform.
Use these local SEO best practices to improve your listing and attract more local customers. Access from anywhere when you’re looking for what you need.
By managing your local SEO properly, you increase your chances of attracting loyal customers who are happy and leaving. Don’t end the relationship when they do.
Ask for reviews.
6. Respond to reviews
A reputation management platform allows you to work with reviewers to keep improving your reputation.
[Learn the best way to respond to reviews] Access the webinar now →
[Slides] Local SEO: A Key Way To Get Better Reviews
Here is the presentation:
Join us for our next webinar!
How to enhance your keyword research with powerful topic clustering
Join Dave Snyder, CEO and Founder of CopyPress, on how this method can help you rank higher.
image credit
Featured Image: Paulo Bobita/Search Engine Journal
