Discover how your customers are looking for you.
In today's digital landscape where everything is changing at incredible speed, one thing remains constant: the importance of local keywords for your business. If you're a business owner trying to stand out locally, this article is your ultimate guide to understanding and harnessing the power of local SEO keywords. We'll delve into what they are, why they matter, and how to make them work for you. Get ready to upgrade your online presence and boost your business visibility right where it matters - in your area.
What are the local keywords and why should you care?
Local keywords are specific terms or phrases people use when searching for products or services in a particular geographical area. As a local business owner, these keywords should be at the forefront of your digital marketing strategy. Here's why they matter so much to your success:
Relevance
Local keywords are your ticket to standing out in local search results. When users search with local keywords, search engines aim to provide results that are more relevant to their location. Optimizing your content for local keywords, you increase your chances of appearing in these local search results. Even if someone doesn't search by place name or region, Google understands that the user is looking for something close to them.
Targeted traffic
Local keywords attract users who actively seeking products or services in your area. These are users who are looking for something very specific and in a very specific area as well. For example, you are a restaurant owner in Athens and someone searches for "restaurant Athens" and "food Athens". Or you own a hotel in Thessaloniki and they are looking for "hotels Thessaloniki" and "accommodation Thessaloniki". We would agree that it is your potential customers?
Competitive advantage
Many businesses underestimate the power of local SEO. We personally guarantee this as we see it every day. By focusing on local keywords, you can gain a competitive advantage and stand out in your location, even against larger competitors!
Best practices for optimizing local keywords
Now that you understand why local keywords are vital, let's explore some best practices for optimizing your content and web presence:
Keyword research
Start by conducting thorough keyword research to identify terms and phrases that are not only relevant to your business, but also frequently used by local customers. There are tools that can help you discover exactly what people are searching for and how many are searching for it. For example, one of our clients was very happy at the beginning as for the keyword "best restaurants Thessaloniki" appeared very high in users' search results. But once we showed him that only 100 people per month search for this term, he changed his mind.
What could you do with a keyword search tool? Let's look at the example below. So you are a restaurant in Thessaloniki. So we'll see that the term "restaurant thessaloniki" has 12,100 searches per month.
Below will suggest the tool and similar keywords like "italian restaurant" and "olympos restaurant". In an even more specific step, we could take the websites of our competitors, such as www.olymposnaoussa.gr and see what keywords users find this business with. Always studying the competition is a key element.
Optimization on your website
Incorporate local keywords naturally into your website content, including titles, headings and body text. Make sure the information NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) is consistent across all online platforms, including your website, social media profiles and postings on third party websites.
Google My Business (GMB)
Claim and optimise the your Google My Business listing. He is the cornerstone of local SEO, as it boosts your visibility in Google Maps and local search results. Fully populate your profile, add high quality photos and encourage customer reviews.
Quality content
Create high-quality, informative content that not only incorporates local keywords, but also addresses the specific needs and interests of your local audience. Start writing blog posts, articles and create videos that showcase your expertise and promote your products or services in a local context. The very important part here is that Google considers fresh content a post on your Google My Business profile for only 7 days. So the more often you post, the better.
Upgrade your business with local keywords
Local keywords are not just empty words. They are the the backbone of your local business success. By following the best practices mentioned you can unleash the full potential of local keywords for your local business. In today's digital age, local SEO is key to standing out in your region, expanding your customer base and establishing your reputation in the industry you operate in. Start the content optimisation today and watch your local business grow steadily.
From all of the above it has become clear that local businesses cannot fail to do a comprehensive study of the keywords that relate to their own business. These two strategies, when used effectively, can significantly increase the visibility, confidence and long-term success of your business.
If you need help understanding how we could help your local business too, we are at your disposal. With no obligation, we can do a free consultation session and suggest improvement strategies so that even more of your customers discover you. It doesn't take any effort or time. It takes a way.
