Local SEO

In this video, Brian from Black Health and Wealth talks about setting a local SEO foundation for your local business so that your business can be found online. The video discusses the basics of local SEO ranking and will give you an idea of what to do whether you implement the changes yourself or utilize local SEO services to do the work.

Local SEO Ranking Factors

Research Shows:

• 4 out of 5 Consumers Conduct Local Searches Online
• 68% of Searchers Click on the Top 5 Results
• 90% of Customers Say Buying Decisions are Influenced by Online Reviews

Google My Business Signals

• Categories
• Keywords in your Business Name
• Proximity of the person searching to your business

Directories

• Yelp, Business.com, Manta, Angie’s List, Home Advisor, Thumbtack, etc

Website

• Name, Address, and Phone Number on your website. Should have the business information coded in schema coding so that the Google Search engine can understand that you are a local business and where you are located
• Keywords in title and throughout the content
• Helpful content about your product or service that answers common customer questions
• Keywords in the file name and keywords in the “alt” text
• Mobile Friendly
• Testimonials and Reviews on your site

Reviews

Reviews provide social proof and affect local businesses substantially. You need to get reviews and manage your reviews if you are a local business

Links to Your Site

This means that other credible websites are linking to your site. It shows Google that you are credible and trust worthy. You can start with free directories and social media pages Google+, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter. at the very least

Social Signals

Likes, followers, shares, and links from social media have an impact

Keyword Research Tools

• Google Keyword Planner Tool
• Uber Suggest
• Google Suggest
• Keyword Finder Tool

Minimum Requirements to Establish a Local Business Presence Using Local SEO

• Get a Website Created

• Have someone optimize the website for search engines (SEO)

• Create free profiles on local directories such as Home Advisor, Angies List, Houzz, Yelp, Google My Business, Manta. Some of the sites have paid profiles but you don’t have to worry about that initially if you do not have the funds

• when you’re ready, run Google AdWords search ads for keywords that illustrate that someone wants what you sell. An example would be a keyword like “keyword near me”

• Optimize the local directory profiles

• Create profiles on social media with all of your business information. Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube