Ever since websites became a tool, may I even say an essential tool, in the marketing of a business the quest of getting people to it, to use it, and to follow through with the desired calls to action you have set for them has been the “million dollar” question for businesses. Driving local traffic, in particular, to your website is like inviting your neighborhood into your virtual storefront whether they are interested in you or not. If you’re a small business owner or manage a local service, getting people nearby to visit your site, who are interested in doing business with you,  is critical to building a thriving customer base. This guide will show you proven strategies to make your website a local hotspot.

Optimize for Local SEO

Claim Your Google My Business Profile

Google set up for businesses several years back a listing that each company can inhabit on their platform. It has morphed over the years as the replacement for the Yellow Pages in an area. Your Google My Business (GMB) profile otherwise known as Google Business Profile (GBP) has become your golden ticket to appearing in local search results. You need to make sure your profile is complete, accurate, and regularly updated with your hours, address, photos, and customer reviews.

As a side note, for those companies who want to go further with this optimization, you will need to become certified, verified, or vetted by Google so that you have more access to the additional tools Google has in store for you on a local level. Click Here to Connect with MediaBus Marketing Group to get you through that process

Use Local Keywords

Keywords like “best pizza in [Your City]” or “plumber near [Your Neighborhood]” are your best friends. These long-tail keyword phrases can be your bread and butter when it comes to attracting local customers. Incorporate these into your website’s meta descriptions, headers, and content to rank higher in local searches. Again, if your company needs an updated keyword analysis performed we can be of service to you as well, CLICK HERE

Get Listed in Local Directories Platforms like Yelp, Bing Places, and dozens of other directories are crucial for visibility. Consistent listings with accurate details can boost credibility and drive traffic.

Doing this for your company is one of the specialties we enjoy and are experts at, so, again connect with us to get started. Why is this tactic important for your Local Business draw? Because the Almighty Algorithm likes, backlinks from reputable websites… Directories are the ‘flavor’ they like to taste with this algorithmic requirement.

Leverage Location-Specific Content

For those who have one location for all to see and come in to, this is not so important. However, for those that have service areas that are of a greater metropolitan area, Google restricts the reach of your Listing may have influence. By getting content on your website, articles/blogs, graphics, location-stamped photos, etc. are what they want to see. Write blog posts about your city or community. Whether it’s “Top 5 Hiking Trails in [City]” or “Why [City] Loves Our Services,” localized content draws in readers from your area.

 What More Can Your Company Do?:

• Leverage Email Addresses

Build a Local Email List

Collect email addresses from customers visiting your store, website, events, or your social media. Segment them by location for hyper-targeted campaigns.

Send Personalized Offers

Send exclusive deals or promotions tailored to your local audience to encourage and attract repeat visits to your website.

Promote Local Events or Sales

Be a positive presence in your community. Email campaigns highlighting events or limited-time offers can create a sense of urgency.

• Invest in Optimizations, Search Engine, AND Artificial Intelligence

Optimizing every piece of content you put out; Graphics, Articles, and Videos alike,  for search engines is crucial for increasing visibility. For example, use relevant keywords, including “video content creation tips,” in your title, description, and tags. When uploading to YouTube or other platforms, make sure to include a compelling, keyword-rich description. Also, add transcripts to make your videos more accessible and to help search engines crawl your content. This will improve your chances of ranking higher in search engine results.

• Implement Paid Advertising

Use Local Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Campaigns

Google Ads with geo-targeting ensures your ads appear only to people in your target area. This is different from the regular organic or main PPC of Adwords… Again this is something we excel at and can assist your company to be the most effective in Google’s Local Search Ads sections

Advertise on Local Platforms

Consider placing your ads on the larger Online News Portals that service your area. Get their traffic, and CTR numbers to make sure they are a good investment. Sponsor ads in local newspapers, radio, or  T.V. station websites for wider exposure is a plus here. Also keep in mind there are ways to get on the area’s Spotify, Pandora, and iTunes, connections as well as in ads on those Roku-based television sets. Learn More by connecting with us here!

• Improve Site for Local Tastes

Make It Mobile-Friendly

Most local searches happen on mobile devices. Ensure your website is responsive and fast-loading.

Add Clear Contact Information

Make it easy for visitors to reach you by displaying your address, phone number, and a map on every page.

Include Location-Specific Pages

If you serve multiple areas, create pages tailored to each location with specific details about your services there.

• Video Storytelling

What do you want to achieve with your video content? Do you want to educate, entertain, or inspire? Defining clear objectives for each video will guide the content creation process. Videos for brand awareness, for example, should be light, engaging, and highly shareable, while instructional videos should be clear, concise, and detailed.