There isn’t a lot in the world of online marketing that can be thought of as universal. What works for one company or situation might be wrong for another. Web design is as much of an art as it is a science, and differences between products and services, branding identities, and targeted customer audiences all point towards unique solutions for different clients.
However, it’s almost always the case that we recommend business owners have their websites optimized for local search engine optimization. It’s a step that makes sense for almost everyone, regardless of what market or industry the company is in. To help you understand why, let’s look at a few things you need to know…
Local SEO Gives You a Competitive Boost
Many business owners don’t realize this, but Google doesn’t handle all searches in the same way. In other words, what you see when you search a term (like “web design,” for example) might not be the same as what another person would see.
Search results are impacted by things like device type and search history. However, geography also plays a big role. Search engine programmers know that users often prefer to find companies in their own area, particularly if they are looking for restaurants, hotels, etc. So, for most searches, they will give a local business an extra boost in the rankings to make it easier for buyers to find what they want.
Starting a Local SEO Campaign Isn’t Expensive or Time-Consuming
Since Google and the other search engines want to match you up with customers in your area, you have to make it easy for their automated spiders to figure where you are located. That usually means adding certain elements to your website, such as city names, driving directions, and references to local neighborhoods. You can also boost your local visibility by enhancing certain social profiles and directory listings.
These website enhancements can generally be added alongside your existing searchable text and social accounts. They don’t require any new plugins or programming. That means you can get started with your local search engine optimization campaigns very quickly, and without spending much money. In fact, a team like ours can have you up and running in just a few days.
Local Search Engine Optimization Can Pay Off Quickly
Perhaps the best thing about local SEO is that it usually works very quickly. Many search markets are very competitive, to the point that it can take months or years before customers start finding your website through organic search listings. However, you could have Google crawl your site, pinpoint your location, and start sending you local traffic in just a couple of weeks.
Local buyers are the ones who are most likely to try you out, place larger orders, and keep doing business with you. Because you are closer to their home or work they view you as being a safer choice then another business farther away. Additionally, buying from you might be faster and more convenient.
Put it all together and you have a situation where it costs you very little to integrate local SEO into your website while the payoff can be immediate and substantial. There aren’t many marketing channels with such clear advantages, so don’t miss out.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you aren’t getting the right kind of online marketing advice and service it’s time to make a change. Contact the proven team of business growth experts at Black Door Creative in Rhode Island today so we can put our experience to work for you!