Wherever your small business is in the world, you’ll undoubtedly reap many rewards by bolstering your local search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. For example, if someone is searching online for a certain service ‘near me’, if yours pops up at the top of the list, then you’re more likely to gain their custom.
However, while all small businesses have a lot to gain from local SEO, there are some for which it can be even more effective, and here are just 7 of them:
- Lawyers
Attorneys should prioritize the updating of their Google My Business listing, and ensure that the information displayed is current and accurate. This ensures that anyone needing an attorney nearby, can easily locate you and access your services. Optimizing certain keywords within your website (a digital marketing professional can guide you) and asking clients to write a review, is also helpful.
2. Plumbers
For many homeowners, calling a plumber is an absolute last resort, and they will go to any lengths to try and fix the problem themselves. This is why plumbers should post instructional blogs and videos on their sites to guide DIY homeowners, which can be an extremely effective tactic when carried out in the right way (you’d be strongly advised to seek professional help with this). Doing so shows both visitors and Google that you know your stuff, and if they still can’t fix the problem themselves, they’ll feel confident calling you for help
3. Realtors
Hyper-local marketing has been proven to be the most effective local SEO strategy for real estate agents, with the use of long-tail keywords that allow users to create niche searches to find what they’re looking for, such as homes within a particular neighborhood, rather than a city.
4. Pet services
Pet owners are typically very particular about who treats their pet or cares for them in their absence, but they don’t want to travel far to find someone. This makes local SEO essential for anyone providing pet related services, but don’t forget to include plenty of positive reviews on your website, too.
5. Bars and restaurants
Restaurants and bars rely heavily on customer reviews for boosting their search engine rankings, and no matter how enticing your website is, if people don’t like your establishment, it will undoubtedly harm your business. Check all reviews and be sure to respond to each one in a timely and appropriate manner.
6. Medical industry
From dentists and emergency care providers to family doctors, all can benefit immensely from local SEO, provided the website is functional and informative, with trending topics relevant to your clientele and plenty of reviews.
7. Competitive businesses
Having a robust local SEO strategy can help any business in a competitive field to stand out from the crowd, and it’s always worth investing in this by working with a digital marketing company.
If you’re selling the same products as 10 other businesses in your town, or offering the same service, then you’ll need to perfect your local SEO before you get swallowed up by your competitors.
Local SEO is a fantastic way of helping potential customers find and choose you over other businesses in the area, but it takes time and effort. If you don’t have the time or resources to devote to local SEO, you can simply outsource your requirements and start reaping the rewards without having to lift a finger.