Local SEO (search engine optimization) is a type of search engine optimization that focuses on optimizing a business’s website and other digital properties for local search results. By utilizing localized content, local citations, and other local SEO tactics, businesses can increase their visibility in local search results.
Local SEO is especially necessary for businesses that depend on local customers, such as restaurants, retailers, and service providers. Despite its importance, there are a lot of misconceptions that surround local SEO. Many people believe that local SEO is too difficult, too expensive, or not worth the effort.
Online resources abound with useful knowledge about local SEO, but there are also plenty of fallacies presented as truths. Discover four local SEO fallacies you should no longer accept by reading on.
Local SEO Myth #1: Similar Techniques Apply to Local and Organic SEO
The two items are considered synonymous by many people. After all, both require enhancing a person’s online visibility on search engines. Local SEO, on the other hand, is a more focused subtype of organic search and uses various strategies.
To rank higher in search engine results, organic search places a strong emphasis on improving content and information. It is intended for people who are looking for information and solutions without necessarily trying to find a local provider.
On the contrary, local SEO includes a geographic element. It aims to increase your company’s visibility in local searches to increase traffic. Local SEO focuses on people searching for goods and services in their immediate area.
In order to get results that people act upon when making their purchases, searchers with local intent frequently include the sort of product or business as well as the intended area in their searches.
Just remember: Ranking locally and organically is highly different from one another, even though some strategies are similar.
Local SEO Myth #2: Customers Are Happy to Travel for Goods and Services
According to research, 90 percent of shoppers travel for twenty minutes or less to complete everyday transactions. Although consumers may want the best, they also want the closest access to the goods or services they need, which explains the rise in local searches.
Moreover, Google has a proximity bias that favors businesses that are located close to the searcher. To give your company the best opportunity of succeeding online, it is even more crucial to have all your search engine optimization ducks in a row.
Local SEO Myth #3: Large Companies Get Priority on Google
Contrary to popular belief, Google does not indiscriminately favor large corporations over smaller ones. Backlinks are one of the many variables that Google takes into account.
Every time your company’s website receives a backlink from another pertinent website, it’s like a handshake where the linked website passes credibility to yours. Big franchises have an advantage over small firms with a single location since they naturally have a lot of backlinks because they have hundreds or thousands of locations throughout different towns.
Backlinks are just one element among many, though. Smaller companies also possess the extraordinary capacity to pivot far more quickly than large corporations.
To get simple changes accomplished, large businesses must overcome several obstacles and internal audits. Small firms can use their speed and flexibility to outrank larger brands if quality SEO is addressed.
Conclusion
Local SEO is not a new concept, and businesses should not be afraid to invest in it. Yes, it can be time-consuming, and yes, it requires a bit of work upfront, but the payoff is worth it.
Local SEO is an effective way to reach new customers, and it’s a great way to improve your visibility online. If you’re not already using local SEO to promote your business, now is the time to start!
Get Found Local can assist if you need help with your local SEO in Gainesville, GA! We’re a digital marketing agency that focuses on helping small businesses get found online.
We offer search engine optimization, website design, social media marketing, and online advertising. Contact us today to increase profits through effective online marketing!