How You Can Use Local SEO to Dictate Search Engine Results in 2017

In case you are a keen follower of SEO strategies, one thing is likely to come to your mind: the strategies change regularly. Local SEO has particularly gained prominence since it can help you optimize your website. With local competition getting tougher, there is need to formulate SEO strategies that can enable you reach a wider market base. The following are some of the best SEO strategies that you should incorporate in your business setup.

Meta and Title Description Tags

 

Meta description and title description tags are basic HTML elements, which still matter. These elements come in handy when you wish to customize your webpage’s content. Normally, the text found in your description and title tags gets displayed in search engine results. Therefore, this is a mini-advert that you should carefully craft.

Recently, Google enlarged the search result’s main area to 600px. This means that your title tags should contain a maximum of 60 characters. On the other hand, description tags should contain between 160 to 200 characters. When formulating an SEO strategy, you should take advantage of the increased space. This will ensure that your description and tags aren’t reduced in search results.

Listing Your Business in Online Directories

 

Google estimates that four-fifths of Internet users use search engines whenever they conduct local searches. Despite this, small firms do not see the need of listing their services and products on online directories. Listing your business constantly and appropriately in notable online directories such as Yelp, Citysearch, and Merchant Circle can give you that much-needed boost.

When listing your business in online citations and directories, it is advisable to include pertinent info such as physical addresses, phone numbers, and business name. Ensure that the contact addresses that you provide are consistent in all directories. This is because any discrepancies can create confusion among Internet uses.

Create a GMB Page

 

In as much as Google My Business (GMB) is regarded as a directory, it offers you more benefits. To accentuate your online presence, consider opening a GMB page for free. This will enable you gain incredible exposure. GMB listings can be optimized using solid descriptions. Besides this, you can upload your business logos, photos, and descriptions of services that are on offer. It is advisable to populate all relevant sections to complete your listing. Service businesses that do not have physical addresses can also open GMB pages.

Be Wary of Online Reviews

 

Businesses are increasingly realizing how important customers’ online reviews are. A recent business survey established that nearly 84 percent of would-be buyers rate online reviews highly. The availability of reputation marketing software makes it easy for you to proactively track and manage online reviews. These include Reputation Loop, Get Five Stars, Vendasta, and Trust Pilot.

Besides this, you can use social media platforms such as Tiny Torch to monitor your website and receive alerts every time your brand gets an online mention. You should always respond to both positive and negative reviews. This will go a long way in boosting your rankings.

Utilizing Localized Data Markups

 

Structured data markups or schema markups can be incorporated to websites codes with the objective of providing search engines with clearly-defined info about your business. This includes clients’ reviews and services that you offer. This will make your business to gain an upper hand over competitors.

Google encourages web developers to use localized structured data markups so that its spiders can easily establish the context of your content. You should regularly monitor your website to ensure that your markups are properly implemented.