In today’s rapidly growing digital economy, whether you run a local store or a multi-location business, having a website is a necessity for businesses. Being a local business owner, you want the maximum foot traffic from your area and want people to see your business on top whenever they search for something in your neighborhood. In that case, you’ll need an SEO expert to promote your business in search results.
On top of that, if you want to be ahead of your competitors, hiring a specialist would be a wise decision.
However, before we get started with our reasons why you should hire a local SEO expert, let’s give you a quick introduction to what local SEO is.
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO is a branch of SEO that is more focused on local and geography-centric keywords. Local SEO focuses on improving your local search results for people looking for your services in your area. So that you show up on top – in local map pack, local searches, directories, etc. It’s one of the most important aspects of businesses whose target market is only within their area or city.
Local SEO allows you to win a targeted audience quickly and easily if done properly. On the other hand, if you’re targeting a whole region or a nationwide approach, it might take months for results to show up. When you hire skilled SEO experts, they use proven (area-focused) keywords and strategies that ensure your website ranks get found among the top results for local searches.
Here are some quick stats about the growing importance of local searches
- 46% of all Google searches are looking for local information.
- 76% of people who search for something nearby on their smartphones visit a related business the same day.
- 28% of those same-day searches result in a purchase.
People looking for something close by are often at the point of deciding whether they will go to your store, book a service, or buy something. That’s half the sale already done. In case your business doesn’t show up in these results, you are losing hundreds of customers daily, who are willing to buy from you.
How to Hire a Skilled Local SEO Expert?
To begin your search for a skilled expert, first, you have to define your budget. Once you’re clear about your spending, then find an expert who suits your budget and meets your requirements. For example, if you’re in Montreal, try your search with SEO Expert Montreal or [your city name] Local SEO Experts to get targeted experts in your area or city. Out of these experts, choose one that best matches your business requirements and start your local SEO project.
Reasons to Hire a Local SEO Expert for Your Business
So, the real question is this: why should you hire a professional for your local SEO? The answer is simple: with a dedicated person by your side, you can focus on your core business operations, while this expert handles all the SEO-related tasks.
1. Proper Google Business Profile Optimization
One of the key elements of local SEO is optimizing your Google Business Profile. A local SEO expert knows the tactics and keywords that best define your business and how you can use those keywords to your advantage. They’ll optimize your Google Business Profile in a way that both Google and customers find useful. Here are some things a local SEO expert can do to help you out:
- Accurate business information
- Relevant categories
- High-quality images
- Timely posts
- Handling customer reviews and responses
Having a well-optimized Google Business Profile means that your business shows up in the local pack and builds trust among your customers.
2. Better Keyword Targeting
Basic keywords can indeed be of great value. However, when you hire a local SEO expert, they use all the possible variations like long-tail, broad match, and geographically-focused keywords. These experts also use different data and stats from search engines and local trends to shape their strategy and approach your targeted audience the right way.
3. Local Link Building
Link building is one of the prime factors of SEO. Backlinks are still highly important to get higher and stable rankings, especially for local businesses. As local trends and approaches are changing constantly, you have to change your strategy and link building as well. A good local SEO expert would be sure to:
- Get your business listed in local directories and niche citations
- Build partnerships with other local businesses
- Get blog placements on relevant websites and blogs
- Earn mentions in local media or blogs
There are a few more strategies than these that your experts will use to get more link juice for better results.
4. Mobile Optimization
Today, 62% of all online searches are made through mobile devices. Over 70% of all eCommerce searches are done through mobile. Considering those big numbers, you have to optimize your website and local business profile for mobile users.
This means faster loading time, easier navigation, targeted and optimized content, and information that fits all screen sizes. That’s because people hate a negative mobile experience and would immediately bounce back if your website is not mobile-friendly, unoptimized, or too slow to open.
5. Managing Reviews and Reputation
The verdict on your business is often shaped by the reviews your customers leave. A professional SEO expert understands this and knows how to manage your reviews and improve your reputation:
- They’ll guide you on how to interact with your customers’ reviews nicely.
- You get to chat and solve the customer’s negative opinion directly
- You put the reviews on the same level as your overall SEO strategy.
In addition, they will manage your review profiles on multiple platforms correctly and professionally.
6. Competitive Advantage
Your competitors are definitely working on local SEO optimization, and if you are not, you are zoning out. When you hire a local SEO expert, they’ll help you with:
- They research and analyze what strategies your competitors are using and how you can overcome them
- Using advanced tactics to boost your website’s rankings and surpass your competition for every keyword possible
- Making your website more prominent and optimized for higher search results
Conclusion
Hiring a local SEO expert can transform your business completely. From getting no sales to hundreds of new leads every month. These experts have years of experience and expertise in local search optimization, technical skills, and proven tactics to give your website a boost in local search results to attract more customers.
