For business owners in the Spokane WA area who want to attract more customers, your local SEO should not be over looked. The internet is proving to be a valuable resource. As more people, especially those in the younger generation use the web to find stores and shops in their area, the power of local search engine optimization or SEO is growing as well. Here are the main reasons why local SEO is important, and how you can improve it.
What is Local SEO?
Search engine optimization is the use of keywords or key phrases in web content that attracts people interested in the products, services, or information that you offer. Local SEO further targets those that live in and around your community. This means that when someone living nearby your store is looking for the products or services you offer, they will use search engines like Google to see what store or shop offers what they want.
Using local SEO Spokane WA stores can help ensure that they are listed at or near the top of the search results. This means that your store will be one of the first they see when using a search engine. This means that more people will walk through your door to purchase what they want. But how effective is local SEO and is it right for your business?
The Importance of SEO for Local Businesses
There are good reasons to establish an online presence with your business, even if you have been around for a long time. Plus, you’ll want to ensure that your business is seen on search engine sites when people look for the products or services that you offer.
Less Traditional Marketing: In other words, the traditional markets such as radio, television, and newspapers are less effective today than ten years ago. This is because younger generations now get most of their information off the internet. This means that while your traditional advertising in the Spokane WA area still has some effect, the audience which primarily relies on it is fading away. That is why local SEO is important.
If you want your business to stay relevant, you’ll need to appeal to younger generations who primarily use the internet. This is why local SEO is important and can be most effective in bringing younger customers to you.
Mobile Internet Users: Today, mobile searches of the internet represent about 60% of the total number of searches and that percentage is climbing. Over the past several years, mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets have taken over and now most people surf the web using such devices. So, when they look for nearby businesses for the products or services they want, they are most likely using their mobile devices to do so.
Without local SEO, you are missing out on a growing number of potential customers finding your business. And, these customers are usually on the road near your location which means that the proper use of SEO can bring them to you when your doors are open.
Branding: A strong presence in your community helps your business brand. Even if a consumer chooses not to purchase from you, they are still seeing your business name, location, and understand what you offer. This helps you build your brand so that tomorrow that same consumer might shop at your store, eat at your restaurant, or order from your business.
Building up your brand is important and doing so with local SEO Spokane WA residents will see, you will help improve the status of your company and gain more customers in the long run.
How to Implement Local SEO
Now that you are aware of the importance, the next step is to ensure that you are being seen by local consumers on the web. There are a few steps that you should take to get your business name well known in the community.
Local Directories: This is an easy first step as you identify the local directories and hubs on the web that allow you to post basic contact information, including your address, menu, product selection, and so forth. Getting posted on local directories and hubs is the first step towards establishing your SEO in your area.
Content: Your website should have content which includes your city or community. This means inserting Spokane WA if your business is within the city limits on all relevant content, including your web pages, blog, and social media. Don’t just inject the city name repeatedly, but rather use it effectively in the content that you post.
Social Media: Maintaining a healthy social media networks boosts the effectiveness of your SEO efforts. So, you’ll want accounts on the prominent social media sites, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to name a few. This not only boosts your search engine results, but also allows you to stay in contact with your customers. Effective use of social media is quite important to help bring customers in through the door. If you want to know more about social media for businesses, check out this article here.
Publicity: For many small businesses on a tight budget, effective publicity can be achieved with less money online. Compared to using traditional media sources. For your coupons, discounts, announcements, and events where traditional media is too expensive, you can use your social media and local SEO to help bring customers to you. Simply optimize your marketing content to emphasize your city and that will draw in a larger audience.
Still not convinced?
If you are still wondering if local SEO in Spokane WA will help build your customer base, and is worth the effort, consider the following facts;
- Search results are geared for local businesses – proximity search
- Half of those searching from smartphones visit the store within 24 hours
- Almost 90% of smartphone users search on the internet at least once each day
- Over 70% search for a business on the internet before they visit
- Local searches result in more purchases compared to non-local searches
With the world turning to the internet for information, you will need to make the most out of the web to maintain and build your customer base. If you have a business in the Spokane WA area and want more customers coming through your door, then you’ll need to use local SEO. I Hope that I was able to outline why local SEO is important in this article. If you have any questions, please leave them below, or feel free to contact us.