Building a website is not enough to get your local business in front of local customers searching for your services.
You need good solid SEO to make sure your customers find your content and search engines know what you do and what you're writing about.
If you've dipped your toes into the sea of information about Search Engine Optimization you probably went cross-eyed and had that sinking feeling that accompanies a test you haven't studied for.
You may also have come across articles informing you that there are some differences between SEO and Local SEO for Small Businesses.
It's enough to make a grown man cry. But fear not. Rome wasn't built in a day and this problem can be solved with a few actionable steps.
So where do we start:
Rename your logo file. Include your business name and location in the file name. Don't forget to add this info to the Alt Tag as well. Remember, search engines can't read pictures. Don't neglect your Alt Tags.
Make sure you at least have your Name, Address, and Phone Number or NAP on your contact page. We highly recommend adding them to your footer as well so that information can show up on every page and post.
This might be too simple, but if you want people to visit your business tell them how to get there. And show them with a map.
Most themes have a map module and if they don't WordPress has tons of plugins to allow you to add a map to your site.
Page titles are a great place to sneak in your location. Leaving your title as "home page" is a wasted opportunity. Descriptions are another place you can include your locations as well as your services.
Make sure the information you are including on your pages and content is useful. Don't stuff keywords. Google is not buying your products. People who have a problem they need to be solved are.
Write for them. And, while you're writing for them you should include links to other useful information and other local businesses. The goal is to solve problems for customers and bring value. Not impress Google.
Let search engines know you are in the US. It's important to not leave them guessing.
Schema.org markup tells search engines what you provide, what your page is about, where you are located, which image is your logo, etc. It's important to know it make sure you have the correct information marked up.
Have your team on your website. Chances are if you're a local company your key employees are from near where your company operates. Their names are associated with your region.
Are you holding a seminar, offering a new product or service? Make sure you include them on your website.
Also,
Link to your social posts and be sure to drive traffic to your site with those posts.
Some of these tips may be too much for you to put to work. Schema markup can be confusing and Schema.org was created for geeks and not business owners.
So if you can't get all these put to work, focus on the following:
Once you have this done, head over to Schema.org and try to do the same thing using Schema markup. Remember though, you are writing for people.
If all else fails, talk about what you do, where you are located, and solve problems.
(click to tweet)
If all of this sounds like greek to you drop us a line. We would be happy to help you get your local SEO headed in the right direction.
