When we say the term “Local Search”, do you really know what that means? Local Search is the practice of building signals of relevance around a specific location when searching within a structured database of pre-existing, local business listings. Local Search adds a geographic component in order to filter out results closest to you when searching online.
So, to break it down, Local Search is all about putting your business on the map in places where customers are searching for a business, products, or services, just like yours. Making sure you are using accurate and consistent NAP (name, address, phone number) data, along with your company’s website URL, is the first step in allowing search engines, and customers, to know what you do, where you’re located, and that your business can be trusted.
46%
of all searches
performed on Google
are local
86%
of people look up the
location of a business
on Google Maps
78%
of location-based mobile
searches result in an
offline purchase
WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?
We claim and optimize your Google My Business (GMB) listing to ensure potential customers are shown accurate info. This also strengthens your chances of being found by customers searching for your services.
We manually create accounts and claim your listings on each major local directory. This ensures that you have full control to update your info, delete duplicate listings, as well as protects against inaccurate changes.
Consistency of your Business Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) across different platforms makes your online presence stronger, which increases your chances of ranking higher in Google searches.
Investing in Local Search helps creates an overall presence on the web, and puts your company information in as many places as possible. This means you have a better chance of being found online, no matter where your customers are searching.
There’s a lot your business can gain by implementing Local Search tactics into your marketing strategy.
Still have questions? We’ve got answers.
In the first year of working with us, Bluegrass Executive Transportation saw an increase of 831% in website traffic from Google due to implementing proper Local Search strategy!
“One Thing Marketing single handedly changed my life & my business. I needed local help from someone who actually cares about me and my business. With a new website & SEO, the business is pouring in! Sometimes, I even have more business than I can handle!”
Chris Hellmann - Owner, Bluegrass Executive Transportation
831%
1 Year Increase in Traffic from Google
You Focus on Your One Thing, Let Us Handle the Rest.
Are Local Customers Finding You Online?
Did you know that 97% of all consumers researching local products or services start by looking online?
And 90% of those use search engines.
Being found on Google Local, recently renamed Google My Business, is critical when it comes to being found by those customers actively searching for your products or services in your area. Not only does it drive people to your website, but it also drives calls and visits to your business.
Knowing 6 out of 10 local searches are completed with the intent to buy, how can you afford not to be found online?
Regardless of what types of products or services your business offers, potential customers are searching online for a business just like yours as you’re reading this.
How comfortable are you that these potential customers are finding your business?
Or are you nowhere to be found?
If your business doesn’t appear in the local search results, it might as well be invisible.
Don’t continue to lose business to your competitors! Make sure you are putting money aside in your marketing budget for Local Search Engine Optimization (Local SEO) services. By doing so, you will see an excellent return on your investment and continue to see the benefits over time.
I’m Already In The Yellow Pages
But what about the virtual Yellow Pages?
Google.
While it is still possible that people are finding your business in the Yellow Pages or other printed/paper local phone directories, that possibility is shrinking every day. Now, there is a much higher percentage of consumers searching online for local products and services exactly like yours.
And can you blame them?
It’s faster and often more accurate, but it’s up to you to make sure your online business information is completely accurate.
That may seem like an overwhelming task, but it is an advantage over offline directories which only print annually. If you move or change numbers, you have the ability to change that information immediately online.
Hooray, no more wrong phone numbers and outdated addresses published on important online listings!
Don’t forget, this makes for happier customers as well.
How Is Local SEO Different?
You may have done your research and know that you need to invest in online marketing this year. But do you know why Local SEO needs to be included in your plan?
Many companies invest a portion of their marketing budget into Search Engine Optimization (SEO), but they may not be getting everything they can out of it.
If they ignore local search or their online marketing company lacks the knowledge, they are unable to reap the full benefits and beat out their competition.
By building local search optimization into your online marketing strategy, your business can gain an advantage over many of your competitors.
And the sooner you do it, the better.
Go Where Your Customers Are
An effective Local SEO campaign is critical for any local business to succeed. Your customers are online and often perform searches to find products or services in the local area. The higher your business appears in the local search engine results, the more visits your site will receive.
If a homeowner’s roof started leaking, they would probably run to their computer or grab their mobile phone and search for “roofer”. Google will provide them with a list of local companies that can help.
The homeowner can then research, read reviews, and contact a business. This swift process is now the norm.
At One Thing Marketing, we will use the most effective local search optimization techniques and strategies to help your business be the one the customers call.
Local Search Optimization Elements
- Optimizing your website by developing search engine friendly pages for your business
- Optimizing your Google My Business listing
- Creating new business listings, claiming existing listings, and cleaning up incorrect data around the web
- Review campaigns to encourage reviews and make it easy for customers to leave reviews for your business
But What About Being Mobile Friendly?
We are so glad you asked!
New statistics show that more users are searching on their mobile devices rather than a computer daily. With this powerful tool, it is imperative that your business is user-friendly, meaning mobile friendly. We can help create a website that is responsive to this need and can format to any screen.
88% of consumers who search for a local business on a mobile device call or go to that business within 24 hours.
Since local results typically show up first in mobile searches, it’s even more important that your business is visible with local SEO.
If any local business wants to become successful or stay competitive, they need to have a mobile SEO strategy. Let us help you with that.
What If I Don’t Have Time To Learn Local SEO Myself?
Local SEO can be time-consuming, confusing, and aggravating for business owners trying to learn and manage their own.
That’s why we’re here.
We step in to assess the competitive landscape of your industry, give you a realistic picture of what to expect, and boost your local rankings and visibility. All of our local SEO services include Google Analytics tracking and reporting, allowing you to measure and evaluate your results.
Let us at One Thing Marketing take care of the grunt work, so you can take care of your business.
What’s My Investment?
So your website is up and running, and now you’re ready for the next step: making sure your local online presence is up to par. Whether you’ve been in business for years or you’ve just opened your doors, the key to success is making sure customers in your area can actually get in touch with you. Initial Local Search Optimization packages start at $4,500 (with payment options available). If you’ve ever moved locations or changed phone numbers, this is a service we will highly recommend to you, so you can make sure your company information is accurate and up to date, all across the web.
Want more customers? Join forces with our marketing team!