A Small Business Owner’s Guide to Local SEO

One of the great features about online commerce is that you can reach thousands of potential customers quickly and in a very cost effective manner. But that’s only if you do it properly with a website that’s optimised from the ground up. Here are some tips to help your local campaign succeed.

Search engine optimization (SEO)

Keywords

Keywords are the starting point of any online business venture as they reflect the desire and intent of your market. By carefully analysing what your prospects are searching for, you gain priceless insight into their needs. Keyword research is a specialised task so contact your experts for advice.

Content

Your content is the core of your site and will be the main driver of your online success. It has to be crafted to engage your visitors and convince them your solution is the best for them.

At the same time, it has to be carefully optimised to rank well for today’s Google algorithms. Make sure your text reads naturally and provides genuine value. That way you build trust, authority and get share and repeat visits.

On Page Optimisation

At one time, all you had to do was to repeat your main keywords throughout your text to be virtually assured of high rankings. Nowadays that will only bring you grief.

Meanwhile, ensure your meta tags are crafted to appeal to searcher and make maximum use of schema mark-up so that your site really stands out in the SERPs. Also add in a clear map of your locations and embed code from Google Maps.

Social Media

Facebook and Google + pages are vital. Create and verify your Google + Local page and add in a keyword rich description of your business along with essential information such as contact details and opening hours.

Use Twitter to send out short texts about promotions or changes in your business. Be proactive and built up a lively dialogue with your customers.

You should also have a regularly updated blog focusing on how your products and services can help your prospects’ lives.

Off Page Optimisation

Next you need to promote your business listing on relevant third party sites such as Bing and Yahoo Local Listing along with such sites as Yelp, YP and Yellowbook is a must. Other than bring in direct traffic, these listings will enhance your reputation and online status.

As you can see, there’s a lot of work involved in getting the kinds of rankings that bring in visitors. However, it’s well worth it and it makes sense to entrust this specialised task to professionals so that you can focus on your core business.

If you’re a small Australian business just getting started online or if you’re unhappy with your current online marketing status, get in touch with Smart SEO. We have the skills and experience to help your rank and draw in the new customers and leads your business needs.

About Nathanael Vanderkolk

Nathanael Vanderkolk is the Director of the Smart SEO Company, a SEO Agency in Sydney, Australia. Smart SEO Sydney has a keen awareness of the latest approaches to online marketing. Follow him on , Facebook and Twitter.
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