local seo tactics

Every day, about 8.5 billion Google searches are made, with 46% having a local intent. In simple words, people turn to Google to find a local option to their inquiries. And did you know that there are two versions of Google? When you search for something like “Universal Studios Hollywood,” Google uses its standard algorithm to provide you with the most suitable websites from all over the internet, but when your search has local intent—directly referring to something like “Best Tacos in Los Angeles” or “Pizza Near Me”—Google taps into its local algorithm to present you the relevant results. So to rank higher in these SERPs, companies must harness search engine optimization. In this guide, we will explore fundamental local SEO marketing strategies to help you skyrocket your LA business and draw more customers. 1. Set Up Google My Business Profile Google My Business (GMB) is a terrific complimentary tool for local businesses and firms, allowing them to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Google Maps.  How to Sign Up/Register Your Business for GMB? Go to Google My Business and tap “Start Now.” Sign in with the Google account you want to use or create a new one. Search for your business by name and address in the prompted area. Once you find or create your correct business location, click on it. Google will require verification, so choose “Mail me my code.” Your code will be sent to your business address, usually taking around two weeks to arrive. You can also hire someone for GMB services if you don’t want to do it on your own. 2. Create Local Listings One of the most effective local SEO tactics is creating local listings. Consider it an indication to Google that your business is reputable and trustworthy. It’s clever to list your business on other local listing sites to gain more citations, such as Yelp, Citysearch, Manta, and Yellow Pages.  3. Maintain Consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) Once you’ve set up your Google My Business listing and local citations, the next step in your local SEO strategy is to ensure your business information is consistent and 100% accurate across all platforms. So, how do you do this? It’s simple! Keep the same details—name, address, and phone number—on every local listing, your website, and anywhere else your business is mentioned. Consistent NAP information helps your business appear trustworthy to Google. Be meticulous about this; even small discrepancies can create confusion. For instance, if your GMB listing ends with “LTD,” make sure that’s included everywhere! 4. Get Reviews Another indispensable local SEO tactic is to encourage customers to leave online reviews for your listings. Customer reviews are a pivotal ranking factor for local SEO; in fact, over 88% of consumers trust businesses with real, legitimate reviews. Ask your customers kindly for reviews after they’ve received your product or service. You could even offer something valuable for free in exchange for an honest review. Remember to reply to every review, even the negative ones. This demonstrates your concern and willingness to grow. 5. Optimize Website Content for Local Keywords With your external factors set up, it’s time to focus on your website’s local content. This will impact your local search rankings strongly. Local keywords are the terms related to your area, falling into two categories: “Near Me” keywords and generic location keywords. “Near Me” keywords are those that start with your business type followed by “Near Me.” For example, “Local SEO Company Near Me” Generic location keywords include the location name with your business type, like “SEO Agency Los Angeles” 6. Amplify Local Signals on Your Site This local SEO tip isn’t discussed often, but it’s vital for improving your local ranking and visibility. Beyond using GMB, local listings, and optimizing content, amplifying local signals on your site will further convince Google of your site’s location. This approach also helps optimize for “Near Me” keywords, which depend on the searcher’s location. For instance, if you live in LA and search “Plumber near me,” you’ll get results for local plumbers. 7. Make Local Pages If you have multiple business branches at different locations, consider creating different pages targeting those areas in your content marketing strategies. Use main keywords plus specific locations. For example, if your business is based in Los Angeles and you also serve nearby areas like Las Vegas and Phoenix, create pages for those locations in addition to your LA page. Tip: Don’t just copy-paste descriptions across these pages, as plagiarized content can harm your rankings. Each local page should be unique but share a common theme. 8. Start a Blog A blog is an exceptional way to display your expertise, provide valuable knowledge, drive traffic, and establish trust with Google. Adding a blog to your site is good for local search content marketing. When you write blog posts, try to focus on providing value—like how-to guides, business achievements, and local news. Or you can hire an agency for these local SEO services. 9. Get Some Local Backlink Juice You might already know that backlinks are a major ranking factor for SEO. Building backlinks to your local site can considerably boost your rankings, making this a crucial local SEO tip. How to Acquire Local Links? Avoid black-hat techniques like using PBNs or buying links. Instead, focus on white-hat SEO. Here are some effective strategies: List your site in local directories. Make worthwhile content that people wish to link to. Reach out to other businesses for links. Appear on podcasts that will link back to your site. Collaborate with other local business owners. Additionally, consider investing in a white-hat link-building package from local SEO agencies for guest posts and blogger outreach. 10. Get Involved in Local Forums or Q&A Platforms Engaging in online communities like forums can help you build a reputation and drive traffic to your site by citing your URL. Plus, it opens doors to connect with other business owners, both online and offline. For example, platforms like