Local SEO FAQs

SEO has come a long way in the last decade. Keywords are still important, but there are now many amazing tools available to local businesses that can help you rank higher for your products and services.

Big businesses who broker leads can sometimes still be found at the top of search results. The good news is that you can rank higher than them if if you follow best practices and use the tools available to you, as a small, local business.

Read on for frequently asked questions about local SEO and how you can utilize your "localness" to rank high and push the non-local websites down below.

Still have questions? Text us 24/7 and we'll get back to you ASAP.

What is "local SEO"?

Local search engine optimization is still SEO. The difference between local SEO and "national" or "global" SEO is that your market is local, so you need to focus on local rankings when people in your area search for a product or service that you provide. Search engines like Google provide powerful tools to help your customers find you, since search engines, ultimately, want users to find the products and services they need rather than a website that acts as a lead broker. When you use these tools, you will rank higher and potential customers will find you.

What are the most essential components of local SEO?

If you have a local business, providing products and services to local customers, you need more than a website. You need an optimized Google Business listing, as Google search engine results pages (SERPs) for products and services typically feature GB listings at the very top. You also need to optimize your website with metadata that helps Google understand what your website is about, such as meta titles and descriptions. Off-page SEO is also important. Backlinks to your website from trusted sites help establish trust and authority with Google. Finally, asking customers for reviews on your GB listing will help push you to the top. We can help you navigate these tools.

Why aren't people in my area finding my website?

There are many reasons why a website isn't getting online visibility. It could be a technical issue, such as your DNS settings. It could be that you need some help with auditing your website for content issues, such as missing meta titles and descriptions, content, or format. Whatever the reason, you can text us for a free consultation, no strings attached.

Why do I need SEO when I can buy paid ads?

Paid advertising is not a bad idea. However, if you are a small business and plan on growing, we recommend that you optimize your marketing for organic (not paid) visibility first. While paid campaigns end, organic visibility only grows over time and will likely bring you the second most leads and business than any other medium besides word of mouth.

What is off-page SEO and how can it help me?

Off-page SEO isn't talked about as much as on-page SEO, such as content and keywords. However, it's a surprisingly important part of SEO that establishes trust and authority with search engines like Google. Websites that link back to yours show search engines that you are an authority in your field and that you can be trusted. It may seem like a difficult proposition to get those important backlinks you need for your small business site, but it's not as difficult as it seems. You likely know many who will gladly give you backlinks.

Everyone talks about AI. How can I prepare as a local business?

Everyone seems to be talking about AI these days. It's not something that you, as a small business owner, should be concerned about. The purpose of AI in SEO/organic search is (or should be) to take an enormous amount of information and (hopefully) break it down into key points and links for the person searching online. As a small, local business, you can rest assured that following best practices for SEO will keep you relevant and visible in your service area. Anyone calling for alarm may not be the marketer for you.