Why local search engine optimisation is good for business

We talked recently about tips for local search engine optimisation, which included adding your address to every page of your website, using Google Places and submitting your business to online directories. Local SEO is becoming more popular but it’s still in its infancy, and there’s still time for you to benefit from it before your competitors start using it. But why should you think about local SEO? In this article we’ll explain why local search engine optimisation is good for business.

As more and more of us become smart phone users the number of web searches done on the move is growing. Google estimates that 2 in every five searches are currently done on a mobile phone, and that by this time next year we’ll do more web browsing from our phones than from our computers. And while a lot of those searches will be for random information – for example, resolving a football discussion in the pub or finding out whether a celebrity is alive or dead – at least 25% of web searches are directly related to searching for information on local businesses.  It’s also thought that around 95% of people use the internet to find local information where once they would have turned to the Yellow Pages. Whether you are on your way to the hairdressers and need directions, or you want to check the menu of a restaurant before you arrive, or you need to find a local plumber or garage, you’ll probably have done local searches yourself. If you have a business that trades locally and you’re not using local SEO you’ll miss out on these kinds of enquiries.

Another reason why local search engine optimisation is good for business is that it’s a lot easier to target competitive search terms when you add your location. Using HodgesNet as an example, a search for “internet marketing company” throws up 122 million results – there’s no way our website will be found easily among so many other web pages! But when we add “Swindon” to the search term – internet marketing company Swindon – the number drops to 554,000 and there we are, second hit on the first page.

Whatever industry you are in, when you focus on local SEO you stand a much better chance of being found by potential customers. Google is starting to place less importance on SEO expertise and more on quality content, but if you have a website with useful information that also focuses on local SEO you are in a great position to rank highly and attract more visitors – local visitors who are already searching for the products and services you offer.  At HodgesNet we offer a Pay on Results SEO service where we help you find the right keywords for your business and then work to get you ranking well in Google – and you only pay when your website gets to the position you choose. For more information have a look at our Pay on Results SEO packages or give us a call on 01793 608777.

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