Businesses that have a storefront location only, such as retail stores, restaurants, or local service providers, may not think that local search optimization is important. However, research shows that people no longer turn to the phone book or newspaper when they are looking for a business. Instead, your potential customers are using search engines, particularly Google, to find places to shop and dine in their local neighborhood. While it seems that “everyone” has a web page these days, businesses that rely on customers to walk in to their establishments may be missing out if they are not creating search engine optimized pages for their local businesses.
The first thing that business owners should take advantage of is their Google Business Profile page. This is not the same as a Google map. Your customers can easily find you if they look up your specific business name, but what if they just look for “insurance in albany ga”? This is where Google Business Profile can make or break your next sale. When a customer looks for your business, having a Google Business Profile page means that in addition to showing up in Google maps, potential customers will also see your business hours, pictures, information about what you have to offer, videos, and your website address.
Even if you don’t have a website, local search optimization is crucial. Google Business Profile can still optimize your chances of being found online by the customers who want what you have to offer. Optimizing your site for Google Business Profile can be done even without linking to your existing web page. More customers are using internet-enabled cell phones and wireless devices to find local businesses and for a large majority of these devices, Google is the preferred search provider.
Google Business Profile is only one of many internet resources you should be listed in to ensure your potential customers find you. There are a number of local directories that list businesses and you should absolutely advertise on these sites to improve your chances of being found online. Internet advertising is no longer just a good idea; it is the only way to be sure that your target market finds your website. The internet has changed the way businesses reach their customers. In order to keep building your local business, you must reach out to the internet world.
Whether you already have a website for your business or are just ready to start advertising online, the first step is to optimize your page for local search engines. While phone book and newspaper ads have become increasingly less effective, the prices of those ads continue to rise. Local search engine optimization is often less costly and is always more effective. Next time your customers turn to their computer, iPhone, or wireless device to find a local business, what will they learn about your business? Local search engine optimization can help you reach new customers and remind your clients why they love to shop with you.
And now I'd like to invite you to take advantage of our Local Search Optimization package. We do all the work for you. We even do keyword research to ensure your business description is keyword-rich.
Here's a recent testimonial:
“Glennette did an excellent job working with me on getting my company to come up on page 1 of Google. I regularly receive telephone solicitations from providers telling me they can get me to the “top of the list” when a person searches for Insurance in my area. I decided to go with someone local that I could trust and I am glad Glennette is able to provide that service.”
