When it comes to local SEO, it’s more important than ever that you optimize your on-site and off-site SEO strategies for prospective customers searching for your local business.
Local competition is hotter than ever, and if you’re not on top of your rankings, you’re sure to be losing out to your competitors.
Here are six local SEO tactics you can apply to help your business rank higher for local search terms.

1. Relevant Title and description tags.
Title and description tags are HTML elements that you can customize to reflect the content of your web-pages. The text of your title and description tags is displayed in search results.
 Think of this text as a “mini-ad” that you need to craft carefully. Ensure its relevancy.

​Your title and description are your one shot at grabbing a searcher’s attention and getting them to click on your link in the search results to go to your website – so put careful thought into what you put in these areas on your web pages.
 
If your title and description tags are missing or Google thinks they’re not good enough, Google often makes something up or “rewrites” them. But it may not be as compelling.
Both should describe the content of the page and should include keywords so they stand out on the search engine result pages.
 
The generally acceptable length for title tags is approximately 50 to 60 characters, and description tags can be approximately 160 to 200 characters. Take advantage of this and use it wisely.
 
Speak to your audience in these areas. What will stand out to them? What will make them want to click on your link versus all the other links on the page? These are important questions to ask yourself when writing title and description tags.
 
If you aren’t sure how your title and meta description tags will look or how many characters you can get away with, If you are using WordPress, try using an emulator like Yoast’s SEO Plugin. You can see what your title and description will look like on both a mobile device and desktop:

​In a sea of competing search results, if your descriptive texts aren’t unique, compelling and descriptive, your click-through rate will suffer and will hurt your rankings.
Additionally, too many words or characters could cut off your text with ellipses (…). 
Now, this may not be a true tragedy. Some SEOs even encourage you to go over the recommended max character count. But I think this looks unprofessional, especially when it appears in the middle of a sentence, cutting off your thoughts mid-sentence.

This space is precious, and every character counts. Here are some tips:
Never waste space on page names or words that don’t provide helpful information to the searcher about what your web-page – or business – is about.

​If you want to stand out to local customers, include the name of the city your business is in and/or the area your business serves (e.g., “Serving Iowa City and Cedar Rapids”).
Focus on using one targeted keyword and carefully place that keyword as close to the beginning of the tag as possible.
Remember, if your business shows up in the search results, you have one shot at getting that person to click on your link. Your title and description are the determining factor.

Don’t blow it by wasting characters that won’t help convince a searcher your site is worth visiting.

2. Claim and optimize Your Google Business Profile.
Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the best local SEO strategies for local businesses that meet with customers face to face.
If your business qualifies for a GBP listing, you need to claim and optimize your Google Business Profile. (It’s one of the best ways to get your company to rank high on Google!) With GBP, you can post updates and manage it to attract more visitors which will increase your ranking.

​Google Business Profile is free, and your business can get incredible exposure if you’re optimized enough to show up in Google’s local three-pack:

​To claim your Google Business Profile listing, visit google.com/business. There’s a claiming and verification process you’ll need to go through. Or you can Google your company name and location and see if it appears.  If you see it then click on “Own this business?” to claim it.

​This verification process is necessary because Google wants to confirm that your business is a legitimate, real company. The business owner should claim the GBP listing.
 
If you’re working with a digital marketing agency on your SEO efforts, you can grant them permission to be a manager of your Business Profile later. This way, you – as the owner of the business – remain in control of your profile if you end your relationship with the agency.
 
The next step is to optimize – and continue to improve – your GBP listing by:
 
Selecting categories.
Adding business hours.
Writing a solid description.
Uploading photos and videos.
Creating posts/updates.
Link to your official website.
Answering questions potential customers ask.
Include any products or services you sell.
Replying to reviews you receive.
And more!
Google Business Profiles/Knowledge Panels are full of information about your business, so make sure you fully populate every relevant section to complete your Google Business Profile.
 

​3.Online reviews matter.

Up to 84% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, according to Bright Local's 2023 Local Consumer Review Survey.

Online reviews are like gold to a business – especially when they are 5-star reviews. Generally, you want at least ten 5-star reviews on your Google Business Profile. But your goal is not to stop there.
You want to continually ask your happy customers to leave GBP reviews. Why? Reviews are what visitors rely on to make a decision.  Online reviews are a known ranking factor – so getting great reviews should be one of your top priorities!
According to Google: “High-quality, positive reviews from your customers can improve your business visibility and increase the likelihood that a shopper will visit your location.” 
Two places where you should focus on getting reviews are your Google Business Profile and your Facebook page. These are big ones.

Many people turn to social media to see what their friends and family think about a business, so having good feedback on your business’ Facebook page can help draw prospective customers.

Whenever a review is left about your business, positive or negative, be sure to respond to it. That shows other people reading the reviews that you, the business owner, care what your customers think.

4.Build out separate service pages.
If you run a service-based business, one of the best things you can do is build out individual pages for each service you offer instead of just putting a list of your services on one page.
​

Creating service pages allows you to optimize for the location you’re targeting and for keywords associated with the specific service you offer in a much more targeted way.

Instead of a line list or only having a short paragraph on a “Services” page, you have an entire page to talk about each service that you offer,  and the benefits of each service.  This means you have much more room for content and ways to optimize the text to serve your readers and Google (for SEO purposes).

So spend some time creating individual pages for each service you offer – even if you only have time to create the pages one at a time. It will be worth it in the end. 

5.Online directories and citations.
You must get your business listed correctly and consistently on top online business directories (a.k.a. citations) like Yelp, Facebook, Merchant Circle, City-search, etc.
Why? Because online directories often show high organic search results.
If your business isn’t listed on these directories, when a potential customer clicks on those links in search results, they won’t find your company’s information.

You will also want to try and find high-quality local directories to get your business listed. The links from directories also serve as back-links to your website which is advantages for SEO.
Check with your local newspaper’s website and your Chamber of Commerce to see if they have a local business directory you can get listed on.

You can also search for keywords like “[your city] directory” to find other local citation sites or directories.

It’s also essential to get your business’s name, address and phone number (NAP) on the major citation data aggregators like Foursquare, Data Axle and Neustar Localeze.

Data aggregators distribute your company’s information to hundreds of other online directories.

Always ensure your company’s NAP is consistent on as many of these directories and citation sites as possible.

​6.Leverage social media.
If you’ve been avoiding social media until now, it’s time to get social! Google Business Profiles now allow you to add social media links to your Business Profile.

​You can add one social media profile for each of the following platforms:

Facebook
Instagram
TikTok
Pinterest
LinkedIn
YouTube

To make things even more interesting, Google recently started showing actual social media posts on Google Business Profiles! (Note: This is a brand-new feature that may not be available in your Business Profile yet.)

Having social media posts on your GBP listing helps build engagement on your Business Profile listing – and Google loves engagement!
 
These six local SEO strategies are just the tip of the iceberg regarding local SEO. Implementing the six local search tactics above will give you a head start on your competition. Get started today!


Resource:https://searchengineland.com/local-seo-dominate-local-search-this-year-428339

Google Business Profile, otherwise known as GBP (and formerly known as Google My Business), is a valuable free Google marketing tool that’s underused.
But taking advantage of this free listing can help you boost brand awareness on the world’s most popular search engine and gain more customers.

Here’s how you can make the most of your GBP:

2.Set Up Direct Messaging:
Set up direct messaging to answer questions, get feedback, and engage with potential customers. 
This GBP feature allows searchers to contact you directly. So, you can quickly provide information and respond to questions that can boost sales and encourage more business.

Responding to each customer’s concern personally shows that you value them. This helps build trust and satisfaction. And happy customers are likely to recommend your business to others.

​Click the “Turn on” button and add your contact info so customers can use it to reach out to you.  Then, you’ll receive a verification code from Google to confirm your identity. Enter that code, and you’re all set.

Automate Basic Replies:
Even if you can’t get to a customer inquiry right away, people want to know their message has been received. According to a 2022 survey, 70% of consumers expect a same-day response after contacting a company. 

Automated replies give customers a reasonable expectation of when they can expect to hear from you so they don’t think you’re ignoring them.
GBP has an automated, customizable “away message” feature you can use to initially reply to users.

Go to “Messages” > “Chat settings” > “Away mode” to set yours up.

Make sure to keep your away messages up-to-date—especially if you add any details like: 

Away for the holidays
On vacation until …
We’re moving to a new location!

3.Add Compelling Photos That Represent Your Brand:
Whether you’re adding to your GBP photo album or uploading a post or product, you want high-quality pictures that show off the best of your brand.

These visuals are key to hooking in new customers and driving engagement.

Here are some best practices:
Ensure your pictures adhere to Google’s photo guidelines: Following Google’s standards for file sizes and formatting makes sure they’re clear and upload correctly

Post different types of photos: From exterior shots to staff and customer interactions, strive to show a 360-view of your business

Add new photos to share updates: Keep things fresh and keep shoppers in the loop on your latest products, specials, and events
​
Showcase your business’ unique features: Share pictures of the things your customers will want to take pictures of, whether it’s a unique dish or a vivid mural.

4.Regularly Post to Your Google Business Profile.

Think of your GBP as an extension of your existing social media marketing strategy. Taking the time to regularly update your GBP helps you enhance brand visibility and customer engagement.
Posting frequently shows that your business is active and gives searchers an idea of what your brand is all about. And you can use your posts to encourage users to move down the marketing funnel.

GBP offer three different kinds of posts:
Update: Use this for regular posts. 
Offer: Use this for specials and promos.
Event: Use this to promote any kind of special event. 

How to Create and Publish a Google Post
Sign into your GBP account. 

Click the “Add update” button on your dashboard. You might have to click on the drop-down arrow if you don’t initially see it as an option.

Choose “Add update,” “Add offer,” or “Add event.” For this example, we’ll use “Add update.” 

Create Detailed Descriptions.

Like your business description, your product descriptions can make or break customer interest. 
So, you need  to be concise, thoughtful, and keyword friendly.
Start by adding the product name, price, and web-page URL in the relevant fields.
Then, highlight the core features of your product or service that’ll resonate with your target audience.
 
Let’s say we were selling candles. Some notable elements to hone in on could include:
The basics: A rose-gold, vanilla-scented candle with a four-hour burn time, perfect for intimate dinners or a relaxing bath.
Product components: Blend of natural soy wax and high-grade vanilla essence for a clean, authentic fragrance.
Stand-out features:
Made locally by company founder, Julia, and her sister, Maria, ensuring each candle has a personal touch.
Packaged in eco-friendly materials to reduce environmental footprint.
Don’t forget to integrate relevant keywords into these descriptions (e.g., “vanilla candle,” “eco-friendly candle”). Use them naturally in your writing so you can boost your SEO without sacrificing readability.
 
Crafting engaging, SEO-friendly descriptions from scratch for each of your products can take a lot of time and brain power. Save yours by using AI Writing Assistants.

Choose the Most Relevant Product Categories.

Think of your product categories like keywords. The right categories can get you in front of people who’re the most likely to use your products or services. 
To choose yours, click the “Select a category” drop-down and hit “Create a new category.”

​Type in a relevant product category under 58 characters.
 
Once all your fields are filled out and you’ve uploaded a photo, click “Publish.”
If you have any errors (like a dollar sign symbol in the product price), you’ll be asked to edit them. If not, you’ll see a screen that says “Your product is being added.”
If you have more products to add, click the “Add next product” button and repeat the same process. 

5.Respond to Customer Reviews.

Managing and responding to customer reviews—both positive and negative—shows you value customer feedback. In fact, a Google study found that businesses that respond to reviews are considered nearly two times more trustworthy than those that don't.
Your responses also contribute to establishing your brand’s trustworthiness with search engines. This is a key factor in how Google evaluates and ranks content.

Allocate time to:
Thank your customers for positive reviews;
Address concerns mentioned in negative or bad reviews with professionalism;
Actively communicate any misconceptions and offer solutions if required.

​Here’s an example of the owner of a small, local bakery responding to a negative review: 

​And the same business owner responding to a positive review: 

​While it’s important to acknowledge reviews, it can be time consuming. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Often Should I Update My Google Business Profile?

There isn’t a specific “right” number when it comes to posting. But we recommend publishing at least once a week to show searchers you’re active. And make updates as needed on key info like your business hours, new products, events, etc.

Incorporating fresh content also sends activity signals to Google. These signals indicate that your business is engaged and interactive, which boosts your credibility in the eyes of the search engine.

Does Running Google Ads Help My Google Business Profile?
Yes, It can!

While you can’t place ads directly on your GBP, Google Ads can still help increase your brand visibility and traffic. So, your profile will also benefit.

And if you’re a local business, your local SEO will get a boost through targeting specific areas. Which helps you reach more relevant potential customers.

What's the Most Efficient Way to Update My GBP?

The quickest way to update and maintain your Google Business Profile is by using a central management tool. 

Instead of juggling updates, posts, and reviews manually—which can be overwhelming, especially for small teams or busy business owners—a tool like this Listing Management tool that centralizes all the tasks.
Skip the duplicate efforts. Keep a close eye on your GBP and all your other business listings in one spot.

​Social media’s popularity and dominance has many of us spend endless hours and resources on social media marketing, but we tend to end up ignoring the most preliminary step, and that’s optimizing our search rankings.

No matter how active you are on many social media platforms, Google search still remains the favorite go-to option for making vital buying decisions. One of the first things that customers looking for your products and services online will do is an in-depth Google search. Thus the phrase : “just Google it!”

But how do you ensure you pop up in the search results with the relevant information across multiple devices?  Having a Google Business Profile listing profile is the easiest and fastest way to show up in the search feeds.
Google Business Profile’s ability to incorporate search engine results into marketing ventures is a huge advantage for all local businesses. It is not just any ordinary business listing but a robust tool giving you benefits from appearing on Google search.

What is a Google Business Profile?
Google Business Profile is a free local marketing tool that allows business owners and marketers to manage how their business pops up on Google Search and Google Maps. It allow a business to display vital business details like your business name, address, contact information, website link, and hours of operation, not forgetting images of your business services, products and events.

To get your GBP listing, you need to verify your business data by creating your Google Business Profile or claiming an existing auto-generated profile.
This is a critical step in any local SEO strategy as it makes it easier for customers to find information about your business and allows them to review it too. Therefore, it’s important that the information provided is accurate, complete, and optimized.

How do Google Business Profile Listings work?
The first step is to create a GBP listing by either claiming your page (as shown in image above) or creating a new one and then verifying it. It’s essential to optimize your GBP listing by adding relevant keywords, CTA (calls to action), frequently asked Q&A, and relevant photos/videos. You will also be able to link to your business website.
 
When someone searches for products or services, the local search listings dominate the results. So the next time when users search for your products or services within your locality, your Google Business Profile page will be displayed among the listings. The information from your page will be shown in the following three different places:
Google’s sidebar
Local results
Google maps
Therefore, potential customers will be able to see your location, contacts, and other details from your page itself.

How do Brands use Google Business Profile?
Millions of brands across the world are using GBP to stand apart from competitors and attract more leads. Brands use the platform to engage with customers and learn more about them. 
They can know the kind of crowd that shows the most interest in their business, where they come from, and what appeals to them. Brands can also gauge their overall business performance with GBP.

Why it’s a must to use Google Business Profile for Local Marketing.
 Here are 6 reasons to convince you to start a set-up with GBP right away:

1.Increase your visibility on the Web.

• One of the biggest benefits of using a Google Business Profile for marketing is that it improves your business’s visibility on the web. When prospects search for a product or service on Google, the first two or three listings are usually Google Adwords advertisements, followed by a map with the Local 3-pack, then the organic results appear.

​​2. Share appropriate Information with your Potential Customers.

3. Answer the queries of your Potential Customers in Real-Time. 

4. Attract more prospects with Reviews.

5. GBP Increases Visitor Traffic and Sales.

6. Free Google Advertising.

• ​There are several ways to promote your business and get it on the first page of Google search results. One way is to run a Google Ads campaign, but you need to have a hefty budget for that. The other way is to improve your SEO, but it takes time to build your authority and ranking. However, a GBP listing offers a faster and cheaper way to get targeted exposure on the biggest search engine. Creating, claiming, and verifying your listing costs you nothing.

 

• The listing puts your business in front of potential customers and gives them easy access to your contacts, direction, website, and hours of operation. Therefore, having such a valuable asset without incurring any cost lets you invest your resources in other business aspects.

​Local marketing is about targeting people in a small geographical location, and Google Business Profile features help you do just that. However, to rank in the local 3-pack, you need regular engagement, and you must keep optimizing your GBP listing. Using the top social media management tools makes it easy for you to maintain a consistent presence on GBP, helping your business beat competition, drive more traffic, and ultimately make more sales.