7 Tips For Mastering Google's Local SEO Algorithm

Are you tired of seeing your website rank on page five of Google for your target keywords? Wouldn't you prefer to show up on the first page, where prospective customers are more likely to see you?

If so, you need to learn to master Google's local SEO algorithm. Do so and you can expect your site to infiltrate the top rankings for your main keywords and receive a steady, growing stream of targeted traffic.

Following are seven tips for harnessing one of the most effective SEO strategies for local businesses. What you're about to read is a quick local SEO guide that'll make your site more visible and drive more customers to your storefront.

#1 – Obtain Links

Links continue to be the currency of search engine optimization. The more you have, the higher their quality, and the more relevant they are to your content, the better your pages will rank.

The best links for local SEO will come from the following sources:

• local .gov and .edu websites
• local business directories
• your city's Chamber of Commerce website

#2 – Load Up On Content

Google has displayed a penchant for deep content for years, awarding pages that offer it with higher rankings. That fondness seems to work for local SEO, too. If your location pages are sparse, beef them up with rich, engaging content that Google can feast upon.

#3 – Optimize Your Google My Business Listing

Google will display your business listing whenever people use search terms that are closely related to it. This page doesn't reside on your site. It resides on Google's servers. But you still control the information displayed on it.

Optimize your listing by claiming and verifying it, getting rid of duplicates, and shoring up the basic details, such as your business name, physical address, and phone number. Also, add high-resolution images of your storefront. Finally, be sure to choose appropriate categories under which your listing can be found.

#4 – Address On-Page SEO Factors

Here, you should focus on four areas: code, keywords, titles and descriptions, and keyword-friendly URLs.

The cleaner your code, the more easily Google will be able to read your pages. It's also helpful to sprinkle your location-based keywords – your top keyword along with thematically-related phrases – throughout the page. Each page's title and meta description, along with its URL, should also include your main keyword.

#5 – Conduct Smart Keyword Research

Keywords signal where an individual is in the buying process. For example, someone in the market for a new sedan might use any of the following search phrases:

• Toyota Camry reviews
• Toyota Camry prices
• Toyota Camry financing options
• Best deal on Toyota Camry

Each phrase indicates a different intent. A search for financing options suggests the individual is further along the process than a search for reviews would suggest.

Focus on the local versions of keywords that'll connect you with people at your preferred stage of the buying process. For example, if you operate a Toyota dealership in Fountain Valley, CA, and want to attract buyers, you might target the following phrases:

• Fountain Valley Toyota Camry financing options
• 92728 Toyota Camry financing options
• 92708 Toyota Camry financing options

Note: 92728 and 92708 are the zip codes for Fountain Valley.

#6 – Experiment With Local Business Cards

Local Business Cards (LBCs) are a new feature in Google's system. They're expected to play a major role in how pages rank in the future.

The cards are displayed in a carousel. Users can leave comments, post reviews, and upload images and videos. The more popular your business card, the more visibility it'll receive.

At the time of writing, LBCs are in a test phase as Google works out the kinks. But keep your eyes peeled for them in the future.

#7 – Put Citations On The Back Burner (For Now)

Citations used to play a major role in local search visibility. Current data show that's becoming less the case. They still help, but their value as a ranking factor seems to be in steady decline as other factors gain importance.

Because citations can help your pages rank, they're worth obtaining when you have extra time. But don't consider them a top priority. If they begin to have a huge influence on local rankings down the road, you can revisit them at that time. For now, if you lack time, put them on the back burner and focus on other tactics.

This small business guide to local SEO isn't meant to be comprehensive. Rather, it's designed to highlight the most important things you can do right now to boost your search visibility. If you do nothing more than the things outlined above, you can expect your business to show up on Google when people search for you.