Google for Local Business: Why Does It Matter?

Local SEO has changed the game for the way customers stumble across businesses in their vicinity. Previously, local SEO has focused on cities and regions but today, hyperlocal SEO has been the game-changer.

Hyperlocal SEO focuses on businesses in specific areas like towns, streets, neighbourhoods and landmarks. For this intent, Google My Business (GMB) was created. This free service works with Google Maps and is intended for the creation of businesses with specific locations and contact information. Other information that can be included are amenities, photos, reviews, services, and posts.

What Is Local SEO?

Local SEO is a way for Google to come up with a search result based on the geographical area. For example, local citation can rank better than any generic keyword like “orthotics in Mississauga” website in the returned search. This sends a signal for the search engine to pull up the results within that area. If you have a Google My Business Page, your business details will also appear on top of the ranked return searches complete with contact information, URL, and business hours.

If you are starting to build the online presence of your small business, start with your GMB profile. Here are the reasons why:

The Internet Is Key for Local Customers to Find Businesses

A few decades ago, clients turn to the Yellow Pages to find the businesses offering products and services they need. With the advent of the internet, transactions became much more convenient. Unlike its predecessor that can only be updated periodically, local products and services, local SEO can be updated whenever possible.

In recent surveys by ChatMeter, 46% of searches are local. This means almost half of all the searches queued are those looking up information or businesses in the area. With that many potential prospects, stepping up with your local SEO game is necessary to lead them to your business instead of your competitor’s.

[Caption] Mobile devices made it easier for users to look for businesses in their area

Photo by Tim Douglas from Pexels

Local Businesses Attract Customers When they Have the Intention to Buy

Website visitors can have a variety of reasons for checking businesses: to do research, to read reviews, and to buy. Your top goal is to get your page in front of those who have the intention to buy.

A majority of clients who search for businesses, products, or services in their locality are ready to make purchasing decisions. It is also proven by several digital marketing studies that people click the first links on returned searches. If you put your business up in the front of the local returned search, these visitors would most likely buy from you.

Mobile Brings the Great Need for Local SEO

Jacksonville digital marketing is going to tell you that local SEO has become an urgent need for businesses because of the growth of mobile phones. Smartphones are exactly what they are — little computers that are handy and can be taken anywhere. Should anyone feel a specific need, a simple search can easily lead them to the businesses that cater to that need.

During the series of lockdowns in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, many small businesses flourished primarily because people were dependent on transactions they can do online. When they ran out of supplies, they can do a simple search of groceries offering delivery services around their area.

Local SEO Is Cost-Effective and Delivers

Part of every good SEO strategy is to complete your Google My Business Page profile. It is free and gets your business up and ready for local SEO. Other local business listings are also free, but knowing that Google is the largest search engine means your reach is also wider.

Aside from the relatively low cost of GMB, the return of investment in local SEO also tops other efforts. Several digital marketing studies conducted concluded that the majority of people who searched for local businesses online come up to the store to make a purchase within the same day.

Local SEO Is Easy to Set Up

All it takes is a simple registration to get your local business listed and verified on Google. The most important thing you need to do is make sure that the details are accurate, updated, and consistent with the details on other listings.

Setting up your digital marketing campaign focusing on Google is what companies like Local SEO Search Inc., a top SEO company in Toronto, can help you with. Hiring experts can help you set up your Google My Business profile for you and offer a wide range of other services to complement that listing. 

Local SEO is crucial for businesses. The good thing is, it does not cost as much to set up a Google My Business page. With the help of professionals, getting your business in front of competitors in local searches is fairly easy to achieve.