Local SEO Solutions: 8 Tips to Boost Local Rankings

Local SEO is the process of increasing your business’s presence in local search to attract more customers or clients.

Plenty of guides show you how to do local SEO from start to finish. But they can be daunting, as it’s a complex subject.

So, in this guide, we’ll keep things simple with eight tips to boost local rankings:

Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile

Do local keyword research

Optimize local landing pages

Get local citations and links

Reclaim lost links

Get more reviews

Get featured on local list posts

Keep your site healthy

1. Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile

Every business can claim a free Google Business Profile, which is a local listing with information about your business. Once claimed, the information you add to your business profile can show up in Google’s web search results and in Google Maps.

You can claim your business profile through Google My Business, Google’s free tool for managing your Google My Business profile.

Here’s how:

Go to Google My Business

Click Manage now

Sign in to your Google Account

Search for your business name

Select the correct business

Click Manage now

SIDENOTE. If your business doesn’t show up in searches, hit the option to add your business and follow the instructions. Even if your business does show up, you may be asked to review and confirm your business details before step #6.

After claiming, you’ll be able to manage your business profile using Google My Business.

Google Business Profile

There are lots of details and optimizations you can make here. So in the interest of keeping things simple, let’s take a look at, arguably, the five most important optimizations you should make:

Dividing the workload like this whatsapp number list allows both the vendor and the affiliate to focus on their strengths. The improvements are similar on desktop and mobile. Most of the focus in 2021 was on mobile results.

Choose the right business type – Google divides businesses into storefront, service-area, and hybrid businesses. The information you enter on the “Info” tab defines how Google sees your business. If your business serves customers at your business address only, as is the case for a hairdresser or cafe, set your address and leave the service area field empty. If your business only visits or delivers to customers, as is the case for a plumber or mobile hairdresser, clear the address and set your service area(s). If your business does both, add your address and set your service area(s).

Choose the right business category – You have lots of options here, and some of them are similar (e.g., accountant vs. chartered accountant). Take a minute to sift through the options and choose the most appropriate one for you.

Add business hours – People won’t visit or call your business if they think you’re closed, so it’s crucial to list accurate business hours. You should also do this for holiday hours so that folks know if and when you’re open during public holidays.

Add photos – Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for driving directions and 35% more website clicks, according to Google. So make sure to add some.

Add your website – It’s surprising (and frustrating) how many business owners don’t do this. Don’t be one of them.

Recommended reading: How to Optimize Your Google My Business Listing in 30 Minutes