Easy Ways to Nail Local SEO for Your Brick-and-Mortar Business

For decades, small businesses depended on customers who found them through word-of-mouth or by chance.

But now that most of us carry smartphones with us everywhere we go, our habits have changed. Now, most people search for a local business on their phones. Many do this every day, so if your business can’t be easily found online, you are definitely missing out on potential customers.

The good news is that Google understands how many consumers still prefer to do business with local brick-and-mortar shops and service providers; so much so that they have included that fact in their algorithms.

In this article, your local SEO expert in Greenwood shares some easy-to-follow strategies that brick-and-mortar businesses can use to rank for local keywords so potential customers can find you:

Make the Most of Google My Business

Google My Business is free, it’s easy to set up, and it provides a ton of benefits to your business. So why aren’t you already listed?

Complete as many fields as you can when you sign up for Google My Business. This will ensure that your business is easily found on Google.

Add your address, store hours, contact information, and other vital details. Add photos and videos that will entice potential customers.

Make Your Contact Number Clickable

In the old days, customers had to write down a business’ phone number and hope they didn’t lose it. Today, people will simply tap your number on their mobile screens. So, make things easier by setting your Google My Business phone number to link directly to your website, your app, or your Facebook page.

Get More Reviews

Getting great reviews is one of the most important things you can do to rank higher in local results.

Prompt customers to leave reviews when they are in your store or have had a service done. You could even print out a business card with the link to your Google My Business profile and hand it to customers when they check out.

Make sure all your reviews are from verified customers and from customers who have had a positive experience.

Sponsor Local Events and Partner With Other Local Businesses

If you run a local business, you know that nothing can help you get your name out there like participating in local events.

Google rewards brands that are actively involved in the communities that they serve. Getting involved and sponsoring local events is a great way to raise your local profile. When you partner with other local businesses, you can work together to sponsor the same event, which will allow you to get even more exposure.

Optimize Your Website for Local Searches

If you already have a website, you may have done some local optimization, which is great. But what you may not know is that Google also looks for local business content on your site, outside of the contact pages. Make sure you have content about your products and services that could be considered helpful to customers in areas where your business operates.

Also ensure that you have high-quality images of your products, services, and some sweet product shots if you are in a service-based business.

Conclusion

Brick-and-mortar businesses have to be careful to avoid getting left behind in a digital world. Fortunately, they have a lot of opportunities to make the most of local SEO and digital marketing in general, so as long as the right strategies are implemented, there’s no reason for a brick-and-mortar business to miss out on potential customers. You can also seek the help of an experienced SEO company that can help you strategize and give your online presence a boost. 

Magnitude Marketing is a local SEO expert in Greenwood that you can trust to help your business get the attention it needs and deserves. Get in touch with our team today so we can set up a meeting with you!