Local search optimization is all about making your business easier for local consumers to find. It can give you a real advantage in a competitive marketplace. Use the tips presented here to start building a powerful local SEO strategy for your business.

1) Use A Physical Address Within Your Target Region

Effective local optimization depends on forging a truthful link between your business and the area you’re targeting. A physical address within or close to your target community is an absolute necessity. This address needs to be incorporated into your website thoroughly. This allows Google to more accurately match your site with local users who are searching for it.

2) Take Full Advantage Of Google My Business (GMB)

Google My Business, or GMB, gives you a convenient platform for managing local search performance across three important tools: Google Search, Google Maps, and Google+. Optimizing your GMB presence is an excellent idea because it can make you easier to find across a full spread of devices from desktop computers to smartphones. Business information you manage through GMB will automatically spread to all of the search modules it touches.

When you enroll in GMB, provide as much information as you possibly can. Make sure that you verify your business’s location, and include complete location data (such as regional and neighborhood names) whenever possible.

3) Use Consistent NAP Data

You absolutely must use the same name, address, and phone number for your business wherever possible. This combination is so important that it’s usually summarized with the acronym “NAP.” GMB is an excellent tool for keeping your NAP data straight; the data you add manually should show up across all of Google’s different platforms. Advanced maps marketing experts suggest you keep your NAP consistent on GMB, on your own website, and anywhere else it appears online (like social media profiles).

4) Make Sure Your Website Includes A Map

This tip touches on one of those places where good optimization meets good usability. Your website should provide a clear and accurate map that will make it easy for visitors to find your physical location. Your website’s “contacts” page is a perfect place for this. While you’re looking at it, make sure that that contacts page is as complete as you can make it. Useful information to add includes multiple phone numbers, office hours, driving directions, and social media links. The easier you make it for users to contact you, the better.

5) Give Each Physical Location A Distinct Web Presence

If your business has multiple branches or office locations, you can improve your local reach by giving each location a unique web page. Put this plan into action with professional support from your web developer and search engine optimization specialist. You want to make sure each of your locations presents unique content so that Google does not penalize you for duplication.

6) Make Each Product/Service Into Its Own Web Page

Virtually every business offers a range of products and services to its customers. If your website crams all of your company’s offerings onto a list on a single page, it’s significantly impeding your site’s search engine performance. As much as possible, break down your products and services into more focused pages. Make each page as detailed as possible while keeping it strictly relevant to the subject product or service. Turn that comprehensive service list page into an index leading to all of your in-depth pages!

7) Use Intelligent Citations

Citations can pay off in a big way when it comes to local SEO. They can deliver more organic traffic to your site and make your business look more credible and reliable. This effect works on search engines, industry peers, and potential customers. Work to place quality citations in both general and local directories to make your site more prominent. Citations on local domains will be particularly effective for local SEO. Remember to keep these citations consistent; as noted above, your NAP data should always stay the same.

8) Deliver Original Content And A Valuable Experience

Your website should, of course, contain original content. More than just being unique, your content needs to be engaging and informative. Pushing your site higher on the search engine results page isn’t effective if most visitors find your site useless and leave just seconds after they arrive. Besides quality content that delivers value to your visitors, your site also needs fast loading times, a friendly user interface, and engaging design.

9) Reviews Are Key

The internet doesn’t just enable consumers to look at information that businesses provide about their brands. It also makes it easy for them to look at other consumers’ experiences with those brands. Reviews are taken seriously by Google and, more importantly, by potential customers. Encourage satisfied users to give your business positive reviews, and do what you can (within ethical limits) to mitigate the impact of negative ones.

10) Use The Right Keywords And Do It Wisely

A core component of search engine optimization is picking out accurate keywords that will guide search engine users to your site. You need to choose keywords that reasonably relate to the products and services you provide and that are popular with users. These need to be employed frequently – but naturally – throughout your online presence. This includes your website and also your profiles on other platforms, including GMB and social media.