Getting the local SEO number 1 ranking in search traffic amid countless competitors is most understandably the prime goal for businesses. While it is a sure way to scale up progress in a digitally empowered world, it still is a daunting task unless precise and smart strategies are applied.
Here are some effective tips as we head to 2018
Showing Up As High Value
Your website is your online reputation. To make high-value text, images, infographics, content that are consistent creates value in terms of client trust, reliability and impression. The most important is getting the most striking title-tag i.e the one that shows up first upon doing a google search, including your brand name, services rendered, edge over others etc.
Following Google Webmaster Tools
Your website needs to follow Google’s best practices. You can check if your site is mobile friendly here. Get your Name, Address, Phone Number (NAP) correct and consistent. Avoid dubious and confusing information. More than half of consumers have found information that did not match Google listings and 50 percent of potential sales have been lost since consumers couldn’t find what they are looking for.
Technically, Google doesn’t take information from websites for showing up results. Completing the Google Map listing is crucial to match the data. Put your city in alternative text, URL and meta description to show your local relevancy. Embedding microdata, adding videos to YouTube channel for the Google Map listing and getting client reviews on Google Maps listing are some more suggested practices.
Capitalising Personalised And SERP Searches
SERP or search engine results page is a list of results that come in upon searching on Google, Yahoo or Bing. It is important to ensure that almost the whole first page shows properties managed by your local business. Also vital is to capitalize on personalized Google search by building following on Google + and sharing content on a regular basis there.
Optimizing The Most Relevant Social Media Tool
Getting a top Google ranking involves several factors:
a) Figuring out the peak time for posting
b) Getting more retweets on Twitter
c) Having catchy #hashtags to direct more attention from followers
d) Adding the right keywords using the help of Google Keyword Planner which also helps to get the right estimate for the popularity of those keywords
Understanding Inbound Techniques
It is important to gather a large number of followers and then impress them rather than reaching out to followers first. A very effective way to earn inbound link it by creating shareable content on social media
Knowing The Best Platform
It is always wise to know where your customers are and which mode they prefer and then using that platform wisely. It is also important to be aware and avoid the sure-fire ways to fail on social media. Having multiple accounts, mishandling consumer feedback, delay in responding, squeezing in words to fit are only a few of the mistakes one can make on social media.
Claiming Your Google My Business Page
A Google My Business listing is now an absolute essential for local search. It’s free to set up, it’s one of the best things you can do to improve local SEO visibility. Get reviews for star rankings.
Keeping Up With Trends And Pigeon Updates
Smart enterprises keep in mind that the digital world is ever changing. It is vital to keep up with trends and updates. What worked two years ago may not be valid today.
Reading Up Quality Books
When it comes to best SEO practices, reading up can be time-consuming especially with too many books available online and offline. It is always good to prefer quality over quantity. Even a single book like the SEO Fitness Workbook, 2017 Edition: The Seven Steps to Search Engine Optimization Success can be quite beneficial. Here’s a list of other suggested SEO books that have the best of techniques and insights from experts.
Doing The Basics Right
Always ensure that the basics are correct. Overlooking basics and jumping to complex strategies would often backfire. No amount of citations and tools can help unless those are put into practice. This most basic SEO practice is focusing on user review. Around 90 percent of consumers said positive reviews influence their purchase decisions. Reviews and feedback the best social-proof to validate your business progress. This holds true even for local businesses that do not sell online.
