Local businesses have a lot to benefit from SEO. According to research, 97% of people learn about local businesses online. ‘Near me’ searches have also grown by more than 200% over two years. While many local businesses recognize SEO as an essential marketing strategy, most don’t know the basics of how to increase their sales.
SEO is a strategy no business with an online presence can do without. Moreover, the importance of SEO for local businesses grows from visibility. 46% of all Google searches are looking for local information. If you’re a local business trying to reach customers in your area, SEO is crucial because it enables them to find you first. Once your customers see your business, they may be interested in finding out more about it.
The following are reasons why SEO is valuable for your local business:
● Build brand awareness
This is the main reason why a local business should incorporate SEO. When your website appears on the first page of search engines like Google, customers will trust your brand. For this reason, local businesses that want to enhance brand awareness should invest in SEO to get higher rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs).
● Lead the competition
As a local business, there is no doubt competition will be tough. However, if your business has an SEO-optimized website, you’re likely to surpass the competition with those that don’t. If a visitor is searching for a company, they’ll likely go to the first or second website in the search engine. With an excellent SEO-optimized website, you will lead the competition.
● Increase conversion rates
Websites that are easy to read and navigate are more likely to grab the attention of readers and visitors. Moreover, they’re more likely to increase their number of potential customers and returning visitors. An SEO-optimized website loads faster and has a clear display on all devices.
● Increase number of customers
One of the reasons for having a website for your local business is to stand out from your competition and bring in more customers. Businesses that have an SEO website quickly increase their customer base. SEO is one of the most efficient and affordable marketing strategies available. Furthermore, it will only bring customers who are actively seeking to find your product or service.
● User-friendly websites
SEO helps local business owners create a faster and user-friendly website. This, in turn, will reduce the bounce rates. It also improves the user experience and optimizes search engines. A well-structured website will compel a casual visitor to stay longer, therefore, reducing bounce rates. Similarly, highly relevant content, like sales pages and writing blog articles, keeps the visitors engaged as they answer important questions about your local business.
In conclusion, SEO is an essential factor for your local business. It is crucial for companies that compete online and necessary for all local businesses. Having an optimized website is the bare minimum. Moreover, spending money on SEO should be regarded as an investment, not a cost.