Top 14 Local SEO Factors You Should Know About

Do you have a local business and want to boost its strength on the search engine?

Well, your goals are achievable, if you know these below-mentioned local search ranking signals.

In this article, you find a list of top 14 local search ranking signals which could be vital for the online presence of your business.

1. List in Online Directories/Citations

If you want your local business excel online, ensure it is listed on popular online directories like Apple Maps, Yellowpages, Foursquare and many more.

Citations won’t impact local search rankings, but they are still important.

2. Listings on Review Sites

Don’t limit yourself to few directories or just one kind of directories, try something different like review sites.

You can list your local business on sites like Yelp, Glassdoor, Angie’s List, and, BBB.

These review sites let your audience know your business in a righteous way.

Google also prefer these websites for their great reviewing algorithm.

3. Earn As Many Positive Reviews as You can

Listing to review sites is not only the solution to rank well on the search engine, rather get more and more positive reviews for your business.

Google says high-quality reviews enhance visibility of your business.

If you ask for reviews in exchange for something or set review stations, you’re going against review policies of Google. Yelp and other review sites have same policies like Google.

4. Reviews with Keywords & Location

A Local SEO study says the language used by reviewers always matters for search engine ranking.

The keywords or city used by reviewers send signals to Google that the business is a trusted one.

5. Reviews with Responses

When the same Local SEO Guide did a study, then revealed that the number of reviews with a response also matters to local SEO.

So, ensure your reviews get responses.

6. Ensure Less Negative Reviews on the Board

It is good to have responses on your reviews, but it won’t be great to have negative reviews with responses.

So, you might be clear now that you’ve to plan in place for following all online reviews, especially for Google.

7.  List in Social Listings

Have you listed on popular social listing sites?

Not yet, then don’t make it more late now and list on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Make this happen even if you don’t plan to be active on these sites.

Retweet, tweet or add post inviting users to visit your website or follow your business on all social platforms.

Your users would expect a quick response from your business on social, so ensure to leave a note or other contact information.

8. Consistent NAP

When you’re listing your business at number of sites, ensure your name, address, and contact information are consistent on all the listings including review sites, maps, and social media.

Also, Google will go to make sure that the given information is authentic.

If given information is same across the channels also makes easy for your customers to connect with your business.

9. Mobile Responsiveness

Google gives more preference to mobile users and mobile searches.

So, make it sure your business in not only online, but also mobile responsive.

You can check various mobile-indexing guides for getting your site indexed in Google.

You can use Google’s mobile-friendly test.

10. Structured Data Markup

There are numbers of way structured data markups can be used for local SEO, including for:

• Menu.
• Address.
• Website.
• Phone number.

Google highly recommends these things and you can add markups by using tool like Schema.

11. Earn CTR from Search Results

Increase your CTR value through search results. This can be achieved if you have performed SEO work in detail.

Make sure your meta titles and descriptions are relevant and matching the context of the page.

This is because when users search your web page, they find relevancy to their search.

12. Localized Content

When you’re promoting your local business, you need to focus on curating localized content.

Content helps your audience know your business in a better way. So, keep publishing your content consistently with all keywords and location.

For instance, write about whatever makes sense for your brand and also connecting to local people.

13. On-page Location & Keyword Optimization

On page optimization is critical thing for SEO, but when you’re optimizing it, you need to consider the importance of location as well.

For instance, don’t optimize the keyword only like, “digital marketing institute”, rather go for “top 10 digital marketing institutes in Delhi”.

14. Grab High-Quality Inbound Links

Earn high-quality inbound links for SEO goals.

Get those links which are trusted by Google.

Google says having a strong link profile can help you earn a secured place on the search engine.

Conclusion

Local SEO is a great way to excel local businesses online, but there are certain things which are critically important.

Here are the 14 local SEO factors one should take care of while doing local searching.