How To Combine Local SEO With Social Networking To Build Local Business
August 6, 2021
Local SEO drives higher conversion because prospects search online for offerings in their own neighborhood, while social networking extends a local business’s reach to a growing global audience. Combining the two turns nearby search intent into real customers and amplifies that growth through shares, follows, and local event participation.
Why local SEO matters for small businesses
Targeting searches for your specific product or service is one of the most efficient ways to grow website traffic and profitability. Searchers typically type phrases such as “restaurants near me” or “my next door salon.” Drilling into those searches reveals industry-specific keywords that work as anchor text in webpages and social media posts, drawing more attention to your pages.
How can local directories boost your visibility?
List business profiles on sites that let you specify a location. Local directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and Super Pages let you choose a city or state and select from a range of categories. In most cases, businesses run a profile on one of these sites alongside their website, tapping into targeted search engine traffic.
Why is mobile marketing part of local SEO?
Mobile devices now make up a large portion of the internet user population, and cell phones are more convenient than desktops for people on the go. Even without owning a mobile device, a business can use mobile-friendly sites that place links which bring users directly to the company’s website when tapped in the search engine. This can significantly increase traffic.
Does fresh content help local search rankings?
Search engines reward websites with up-to-date content. New content gets picked up by search engines and can lead to a rise in traffic. Like mobile marketing, providing relevant, current content typically results in higher search engine rankings.
How do Facebook and Twitter support local SEO?
Small business owners use Facebook and Twitter to share news about products and services. Sharing business-related information attracts new followers interested in the business. These searches also tend to provide web visitors with information on the locations of local businesses. Adding your location to your business’ Facebook and Twitter pages strengthens local SEO strategies.
Why participate in local events?
Joining local events such as parades and festivals draws potential customers to a small business location. People searching for a local shop often include a location search. As spectators gather around a parade or live music, they become interested in the business’s location and what events it holds. This strategy is especially useful for businesses that hold multiple events.
Putting the strategies together
Each of these strategies improves local SEO through organic search and local events. Beyond stronger organic rankings, participating in local events can give you an advantage in local SEM. As the business grows, other ways to use local SEO to expand reach can be explored.
FAQ
What is the simplest way to start combining local SEO with social networking?
Add your location to your business’ Facebook and Twitter pages, then post content using neighborhood-style keywords such as “restaurants near me” or “my next door salon” as anchor text in your updates and webpages.
Which local directories should a small business list on?
Yelp, Yellow Pages, and Super Pages all let you specify a city or state and pick categories, putting your profile alongside your website and pulling in targeted search traffic.
How do local events help SEO?
When people search for a local shop, they often include a location search. Being present at parades, festivals, and similar events puts your business in front of those location-based searches and is especially useful for businesses that run multiple events.
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