by 
Local Businesses are probably aware of search engine optimization but may think it is only for big business or national companies. But with fewer viable and affordable options for advertising, local SEO practices should be implemented, for large and small businesses alike. Below are our seven factors that weigh into local search engine optimization and steps you can take to ensure your business is positioned properly.
1. Website Content
In 2024, quality content is still the foundation of good SEO. Focus on informative, unique, and regularly updated content that genuinely helps your audience. Update regularly to stay relevant.
2. Social Media
Social media remains vital for SEO. Engage actively with users, encourage shares, and use platforms like Facebook and Instagram to drive traffic to your site. Use local-specific hashtags and geotags for more visibility.
3. Local Citations & Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile is essential. Ensure your business is verified and your profile is complete with accurate information. Maintain NAP consistency across all citation listings (e.g., Yelp, Apple Maps, Bing Places) and use local directories.
4. Reviews
In 2024, reviews are crucial for local SEO. Positive reviews signal trust to search engines, boosting rankings. Encourage reviews on Google and Yelp and respond to both positive and negative feedback to show customer care. This improves engagement and ranking in local searches.
5. Website Optimization
Local SEO isn’t just about keywords; it’s about user experience. Your site must be mobile-friendly, fast, and easy to navigate. Mobile usability is critical as over half of searches come from mobile devices. Use Schema markup to help search engines better understand your content, and ensure local, geo-specific keywords are embedded into your site. Domain authority matters, too—build trust with quality backlinks and a good user experience.
6. Local Backlinks
Backlinks from local, reputable sites help build your domain authority. Reach out to local blogs, news outlets, and other businesses to earn these links, which signal relevance to your geographic area.
7. Voice Search Optimization
With the rise of voice search, optimize your content for conversational queries and long-tail keywords. People using voice search often ask questions differently than they would type, so adapting content to meet this trend is key.
If you need assistance in implementing any of these items, please contact Evoke Strategy for your local SEO and marketing needs.
