As many as 46% of all Google searches are related to a location. With local search engine optimization (SEO), you can reach nearby consumers online. The right local SEO strategies can help you generate leads and sales.
Without local SEO marketing, however, you’ll miss the chance to grow your business.
Here are five costly mistakes to avoid when using local SEO and internet marketing to reach customers online. Avoiding these errors can benefit your local rankings.
Start marketing with these tips today.
1. Neglecting Your Profile
Nearly 60% of mobile users have contacted a business directly using search results. The Google My Business marketing site saw a 2x increase in traffic year-over-year, too. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is neglecting your profile.
Your Google Business profile shows consumers your:
- Name
- Address/directions
- Business hours
- Phone number
- Websites
- Business category
- Consumer reviews
- Latest posts
- Photos and videos
Instead of neglecting your profile, use it to your advantage. Start by claiming your profile using a business Gmail address. Then, optimize your listing.
Make sure all the information is accurate and up-to-date. If you move addresses or change phone numbers, update the listing right away. Otherwise, inaccurate information might frustrate customers.
For example, they might visit your store during off-hours or arrive at your storefront, only to find out you’ve moved.
Though your profile is free to set up, local SEO marketing software can help you manage your listing.
2. Duplicate Listings
Make sure you don’t have duplicate Google Business profile pages or other duplicate listings online.
Google dislikes duplicate content. It doesn’t want users to see the same information twice. It also wastes Google’s resources to store the same data twice.
In fact, duplicate listings are against Google’s terms of service.
You can use local SEO marketing software like Moz Local to ensure you don’t have more than one page. If you do, it might hurt your rankings.
3. Inconsistent Information
Make sure the information on your Google Business profile matches exactly what appears on your website. That includes abbreviations like “Street” versus “St.”
Google will compare the information on your site with what appears on your profile. Consistency is essential to your local SEO marketing strategy. Otherwise, your rankings won’t improve.
4. No Reviews
Make sure to ask your customers to post their reviews on your Google Business page.
Positive reviews will boost your local SEO rankings and credibility.
5. Missing Citations
Citations are mentions of your name, address, and phone number on other websites. For example, perhaps you have your business listed on an industry-specific directory. Sites like Yelp count as citations, too.
Make sure your citations are consistent and accurate. You can learn more about citations in this post.
Love the Locals: 5 Costly Local SEO Marketing Mistakes to Avoid
Set your business up for success this year. Make sure to avoid these mistakes when developing your local SEO marketing strategy. With these tips, you can boost your rankings to reach local customers.
Expand your reach online with these tips today.
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