5 Easy Steps to Boost Local SEO

“Almost anything can be improved in some way.”

Julie Joyce, Owner of Link Fish Media

As a small business owner, the dream is simple: get noticed locally without having to bribe your cousin to post about you online (again). But here's the catch—your business doesn’t just need to exist on the internet; it needs to be found by the right people in your area who are looking for what you offer. And that’s where digital marketing, particularly local SEO, comes in. Local SEO is the superhero cape your business website needs to show up in local search results, turning clicks into visits and neighbors into customers. Even if you already have a bit of luck when it comes to your search rankings, there are some simple things that you can do to make some improvements that will translate to quick wins!

Here are five simple (and actually doable) local SEO tips to help you win over your local crowd:

1. Claim Your Google Business Profile (And Show It Some Love)

First up, let’s talk about Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). Claiming and optimizing your Google Business Profile is like introducing yourself to Google and saying, “Hey, this is what I do, and here’s how people can find me.” Fill in every detail: your name, address, hours, phone number, photos, and even business categories. Keep everything accurate and up-to-date, especially if you ever change hours or location (or take a random vacation). Customers rely on this info, and so does Google. Pro tip: update content regularly! Add pictures, experiment with videos, and encourage happy customers to leave reviews—Google LOVES reviews.

2. Use Local Keywords Naturally

Let’s say you’re a plumber in Smalltown, USA. When people search for “Smalltown plumber” or “emergency plumbing near me,” you want to be the name that comes up! Incorporate local keywords into your website content, like your services pages, blog posts, and headers, but do it naturally. Nobody likes reading “Smalltown plumber” six times in one paragraph. And remember, search engines are clever—use different forms, like “plumbing in Smalltown” or “Smalltown emergency plumber” to cover more ground without sounding like a broken record. If you don't know where to start, just ask yourself, what words or phrases you would search for if you were looking for your product/service on Google?

3. Get Listed in Local Directories (But Skip the Spammy Ones)

This one’s like an online scavenger hunt: get your business listed in local directories, like Yelp, Bing Places, and the local Chamber of Commerce website. Anywhere that a reputable website will post a link back to your website will help! Not only do these directories help customers find you, but they also build credibility for search engines. Just make sure the directories are in fact reputable! Search engines can tell if you’re on a shady, spammy site, and just like anyone, they don't like it...

Just be sure to keep your name, address, and phone number (NAP) consistent (as in exactly the same!) across all listings to boost your local SEO even further.

4. Optimize for Mobile (Your Customers Are Already on Their Phones)

Your customers are on their phones constantly (it’s just the way of the world now), so make sure your website looks and works perfectly on mobile. A mobile-friendly site is key for local SEO since Google gives bonus points to sites that are mobile-optimized. Don’t make customers pinch and zoom to read your phone number—give them a slick, seamless experience that makes it easy to find you, learn about your services, and, most importantly, call you up with ease.

5. Create Locally Relevant Content

Finally, give people in your area a reason to check out your site by creating locally relevant content. Maybe write a blog post on “5 Plumbing Hacks Every Smalltown Homeowner Should Know” or “Best Places to Visit in Smalltown (According to a Local Plumber)”. Content that speaks to local interests is a great way to engage your community and attract local traffic to your site. It doesn't all have to be business related. Share news stories, local high school sports updates, community events, etc. Anything that will draw attention and increase interaction! And then you can of course sprinkle some business in once and a while too.

Bottom Line: Keep It Local, Keep It Simple

Local SEO doesn’t need to be complicated or overwhelming. By following some simple steps, you’ll set up your small business to be seen by the people who matter most—your local customers. And who knows? With these local SEO tricks, your website might just become the next best thing to that word-of-mouth buzz small businesses are always after!

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Best wishes,

Dr. Travis Lange