What is local SEO?
Local SEO is the process of optimising your website and online presence so that it ranks higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for local searches. This means that when people in your area search for keywords related to your business, your website is more likely to appear at the top of the page.
Why is local SEO important?
Local SEO is important for businesses of all sizes, but it is especially important for small businesses that rely on local customers. A study by BrightEdge found that 73% of all searches on Google have local intent, meaning that people are searching for businesses and services in their area.
By ranking high in local SERPs, you can attract more visitors to your website and generate more leads and sales for your business.
What are the benefits of local SEO?
There are many benefits to local SEO, including:
- Increased website traffic: Local SEO can help you to attract more visitors to your website from your local area.
- More leads and sales: By generating more traffic to your website, you are likely to generate more leads and sales for your business.
- Improved brand awareness: Local SEO can help you to improve your brand awareness in your local area.
- Increased trust and credibility: When people see your website ranking high in local SERPs, they are more likely to trust and believe in your business.
Competitive advantage: Local SEO can give you a competitive advantage over other businesses in your area that are not investing in local SEO.
How is local SEO done?
There are a number of things you can do to improve your local SEO, including:
- Claim and verify your Google Business Profile (GBP): Your GBP is your free listing on Google that appears in local search results. It is important to claim and verify your GBP so that you can control your listing and make sure that the information is accurate.
- Optimise your website for local keywords: Make sure that your website is optimised for the keywords that your local customers are likely to use when searching for businesses like yours. You can use tools like Google Keyword Planner to research relevant keywords.
- Get local reviews: Positive reviews from your customers can help to improve your local SEO ranking. Encourage your customers to leave reviews on Google and other online directories.
- Create local content: Create content that is relevant to your local area, such as blog posts about local events or news articles about your business. This can help to improve your website’s authority and ranking in local SERPs.
Build local backlinks: Backlinks from other high-quality websites in your local area can help to improve your local SEO ranking. You can build local backlinks by guest blogging on other websites, participating in local business directories, and networking with other local businesses.
What are the Local SEO tips for UK businesses?
Here are some tips for local SEO in the UK:
- Make sure your website is mobile-friendly: More and more people are using their smartphones and tablets to search for local businesses, so it is important to make sure that your website is mobile-friendly.
- Use location extensions in your Google Ads campaigns: Location extensions allow you to add your address, phone number, and other location information to your Google Ads ads. This can help to improve the click-through rate (CTR) and conversion rate of your ads.
- List your business in local directories: There are a number of online and offline directories where you can list your business. This can help to improve your visibility in local search results and make it easier for potential customers to find you.
- Get involved in your local community: Get involved in your local community by sponsoring local events, donating to local charities, and participating in local business associations. This can help to improve your brand awareness and reputation in your local area.
Local SEO is an important part of any digital marketing strategy for businesses that serve local customers. By following the tips above, you can improve your local SEO ranking and attract more visitors to your website, generate more leads and sales, and improve your brand awareness and reputation in your local area.
How long does it take to see results from local SEO?
The amount of time it takes to see results from local SEO will vary depending on a number of factors, such as the competitiveness of your industry and the quality of your competition. However, most businesses start to see results within a few months of implementing local SEO strategies.
How much does local SEO cost in the UK?
The cost of local SEO in the UK varies depending on a number of factors, such as the size and scope of your business, the level of competition in your industry, and the services you need. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from £100 to £2,500 per month for local SEO services from a reputable agency.
Here is a breakdown of the average cost of local SEO in the UK by pricing model:
- Monthly retainer: £400-£2,500+
- Hourly rate: £50-£300+
- Project-based: £1,000-£30,000+
It is important to note that these are just averages, and the actual cost of your local SEO campaign may vary depending on your specific needs.
DoLocal’s Local SEO services in Liverpool start from only £300+VAT/month/location and you only have to sign up for 3 months.
This image shows the positions where your Google Business Profile appears for the same keyword at different locations.
Our GBP optimisation service aims to change most of these to GREEN.