How To Increase Your Ranking For ‘Near Me’ Searches

by Lori Morris, Guest Contributor

Local SEO is often referred to as a ‘near me’ search. If your target audience is searching for a product or service, Google’s search engine algorithm sorts search engine results based on the local businesses that match those keywords. With this type of ranking, you can capture more local customers and raise awareness for your business.

If you’re running a brick-and-mortar business, it’s important to increase your local ranking to reach more local customers.
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This is how you succeed at local SEO ranking in search engines:

Set up a Google My Business page
There are a few tools available to get a high ranking in ‘near me’ searches. A Google My Business page is one of those tools. If anyone searches for your business, the relevant information is displayed in the results. Information includes your business name, physical address, contact information, reviews and opening hours. Once your business is verified, you can edit this information and provide even more details.

If you want to increase your organic ranking, list your website on directory websites such as Yelp. The more content there is, the more likely search engines will display your business. To improve your business’ local SEO, ask customers to write reviews. Providing as much information about your business online is a good advertising channel that increases awareness.  

Engage on social media
In most cases, social media isn’t used as a local SEO technique. However, you can use various social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and many more to provide information about your business and product/service updates. It’s also a good customer service platform where you can answer any queries from your customers. By signing up for different social media platforms, you can reach many clients and also build a lot of local content that’s useful for ranking purposes.

Local content is always community-oriented. Therefore, you should get involved with community events, link with other local businesses and also support other organizations in the area. It allows your name to pop up in other online places such as press releases, blog posts, articles and any other content with relevant keywords.

Implement on-page optimization
Optimize your website’s content for local SEO. Start with keyword research and identify the list of keywords your target audience uses to search for your product/service online.  Add these keywords to your website and page titles. Use them in image alt tags as well to make your company show up in local searches. Don’t overuse keywords on your website; insert them naturally to benefit your audience.

Write engaging content
Curate local content for your blog. Use the keywords to educate your audience about your services or products, and promote upcoming sales. Partner with local businesses to build quality backlinks to your website, which will increase your SEO and influence.

Optimize for mobile
Websites that are mobile-friendly rank higher organically on search engines. If you haven’t invested in mobile optimization, now is the time. When searching for information on the internet, most people use their smartphones. Give them a positive experience on mobile devices to get them to return to your website.

To increase your organic ranking on search engines, contact an SEO specialist to conduct a keyword research audit for your business. It’s the first step to improving your business’ local SEO and creating brand awareness within the community.

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