Ever feel like you’re yelling into the void when it comes to attracting new customers? Improving Local SEO is definitely a pathway that can take your business to a whole new level in terms of engagement and conversion rates.
This EasyHosting blog is about improving local SEO and focuses on Canadian small businesses that are spread out of the country.
- What is Local SEO?
- What is the Difference Between Local SEO and SEO?
- The Problem with Local SEO and Local Visibility
- The Importance of Local SEO for Canadian Small Businesses
- How to Optimize for Local SEO? Simple Steps to Improve Your Business Outline
- Are There Any Ranking Factors That Can Improve Local SEO?
- Frequently Asked Questions about Local SEO for Canadian Small Businesses
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO stands for Local Search Engine Optimization, and it’s all about making sure your small business shows up at the top of local search results.
So, if you’re a bakery owner and someone in your area searches for the “best bakery near me,” guess who they’ll see first? You, with your mouthwatering pastries and warm hospitality!
But there’s a lot more to this subject of local search engine optimization, which we’ll discuss further below.
What is the Difference Between Local SEO and SEO?
Both local SEO and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) help websites rank higher in search results. However, they differ in their target audience and approach.
- Regular SEO focuses on improving a website’s overall visibility in search results, regardless of the searcher’s location. It aims to rank well for keywords relevant to your industry or niche, potentially attracting a broader audience even from outside your local area.
- Local SEO is a targeted approach specifically designed to increase your online visibility within your local area. It helps you connect with potential customers actively searching for businesses in your city, town, or surrounding area.
The Problem with Local SEO and Local Visibility
Imagine this scenario: Sarah runs a charming bakery in a cozy Toronto neighbourhood.
Her croissants are legendary, and the aroma of freshly baked and buttery bread draws smiles from passersby every morning. But lately, Sarah’s been feeling a little discouraged. Business seems slower than usual.
One afternoon, a new customer walks in, looking for a bakery specializing in sourdough bread. “Oh, there’s this fantastic place a few blocks down,” Sarah says, a pang of disappointment in her voice. “It didn’t even pop up on my phone’s map search,” the customer replies with a shrug, heading out the door.
Unfortunately, this is a common scenario for many small businesses in Canada. Today, when people turn to their phones to find everything from the nearest coffee shop to the best plumber, having a strong online presence is crucial.
A local business must do a complete local SEO audit and fine-tune its campaigns to match the audience they’re aiming for in the first place.
But for Sarah, who owns this charming bakery, the answer might be a little simpler. It’s all about ensuring her bakery has decent online visibility, for instance, that her business shows up on local listings and local search rankings. In turn, this will help bring people to her store more easily.
The Importance of Local SEO for Canadian Small Businesses
Did you know that around 93% of consumers use search engines to find local businesses like yours? That’s a massive potential customer base you could be missing out on without proper local SEO.
Here’s how a well-executed local SEO strategy can supercharge your Canadian small business (and Sarah’s, too!):
- Boost website traffic from local customers: Imagine customers searching for “[your product or service] near me” and your website popping right up! Local SEO helps you rank higher in local search results, driving more qualified traffic to your website from potential customers in your area. EasyHosting’s OneList Plus ensures you’re on every popular online directory always so you won’t miss out on any traffic. Plus, it’s one of the most affordable local SEO services you can have for your small business in Canada.
- Dominate local search results: Ever heard of a Google Business Profile? It’s a free tool that allows you to manage your business listing on Google Search and Google Maps. By optimizing your Google My Business profile with accurate information, positive reviews, and engaging content, you’ll increase your chances of appearing at the top of local search results and grabbing the attention of nearby customers. Even locals use Google Maps to find new places around them very often.
- Become a local brand powerhouse: Strong local SEO isn’t just about website clicks – it’s about building brand awareness within your community. The more you appear in local searches, the more familiar customers become with your business, fostering trust and brand recognition.
- More leads, more conversions, more success! Ultimately, the goal is to convert website traffic into paying customers. Local SEO helps you attract qualified leads who are actively searching for what you offer. This targeted approach means a higher chance of converting those leads into sales and growing your business. For physical stores, this means helping people find you and come to the store to buy some of your products.
Don’t let your competitors steal the local spotlight! Consider investing in local SEO services from a reputable local SEO company or explore local SEO strategies you can implement yourself.
By taking control of your local SEO, you’ll open the door to a world of new customers and success for your Canadian small business. To learn more about local SEO and how to boost your business’s online visibility with local listing management, check out EasyHosting’s website.
How to Optimize for Local SEO? Simple Steps to Improve Your Business Outline
Free & Easy Win-Wins
- Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing: This is a golden opportunity! Claim your free Google Business local listing and fill it out with accurate and complete information. Include high-quality photos of your business, your service area, your menu (if applicable) and even happy customers. Don’t forget to regularly update your listing with any changes and respond to customer reviews (both positive and negative).
- NAP consistency is key: NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone number. This has to be on the top of your local SEO checklist. Make sure this information is consistent across all online directories and listings you’re on. Inconsistencies can confuse search engines and hurt your local SEO ranking.
- Harness the power of reviews: Encourage your happy customers to leave positive reviews on your Google Business Profile, Facebook page, and other relevant platforms. Positive reviews build trust and credibility with potential local customers searching for local businesses in the area.
Going a Step Further for Maximum Impact
- Partner with a Local SEO company: For a more comprehensive and time-saving approach, consider partnering with a reputable local SEO agency. One specific example would be EasyHosting. They have the local SEO experts and resources to develop a customized local SEO strategy that gets results. Local search optimization shouldn’t be neglected regardless of your business type.
- Local keyword research magic: Optimizing your website content with relevant local keywords can significantly improve your local search ranking. However, keyword stuffing is a big no-no! Focus on integrating local keywords naturally throughout your website content; otherwise, you might have negative results.
- Build local citations: Citations are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number on other websites. Building citations on local directories and business listing websites is a great way to signal your local presence to search engines.
- Engage with your local community online: Join local social media groups and participate in conversations relevant to your business. Respond to customer questions and concerns, and establish yourself as a valuable resource within the local community. This online engagement can boost your local SEO and brand awareness.
- Local link-building: Linking to relevant companies is a well-known tactic for improving your local SEO and achieving success online. Link building for local businesses usually involves outreach, community interaction, and participating in local activities. It also includes creating blog posts and appearing in videos by local creators. You can find local links in various places, such as local newspapers, business chambers, directory sites, and community organizations.
Are There Any Ranking Factors That Can Improve Local SEO?
The specific details of the most popular search engines are not known; however, you can identify some aspects that can help a business using simple logic.
Some of the ranking factors are mentioned above, but this section is specifically created to help you identify the ones that not only improve your business’s visibility but also help it rank online.
- Engaging with the local community: Being active on social media platforms demonstrates your engagement and helps establish your local presence.
- Having a mobile-friendly website: Rankings will improve if your website is mobile-friendly. Since most users are on their phones nowadays, a mobile-friendly website that loads quickly will help you outrank your slower-loading competitors.
- Local keywords: One of the most important metrics is ensuring the use of the right keywords. Conduct thorough keyword research to discover the terms your customers are searching for, and then tailor your content accordingly.
- Positive reviews: On EasyHosting, we’ve mentioned that around 98% of people read reviews online before making a purchase or even trusting a company. Search engines view this metric very fondly, so the better the reviews, the higher you can potentially rank on a search engine. Our Reviews Promoter service can also help drive results more effectively by tracking customer satisfaction and encouraging customers to leave a review while keeping an eye on your competition.
Frequently Asked Questions about Local SEO for Canadian Small Businesses
I already have a website; isn’t that enough?
A website for your local business is a great start, especially if you sided with a reputable web host. But local SEO takes it a step further. It helps your website rank specifically in local searches, attracting customers actively looking for businesses in your area. Look for local SEO services through your web host to pair your website to unlock all these additional possibilities and unlock the pathway to a more robust local SEO campaign.
Is local SEO expensive?
While Local SEO can be very cost-effective, publishing your company in all the trending online directories can take a substantial chunk of your time. That’s where local SEO agencies come to help, but they can get significantly expensive.
There are many free strategies you can implement yourself, like optimizing your Google Business Profile, building local citations or asking for people to leave reviews in online search directories.
However, for a more comprehensive approach, local SEO and web hosting companies like EasyHosting can offer various packages at different price points. One such tool is OneList Plus, which can help your business appear in up to 15 directories for maximum exposure!
Is local SEO just like typical marketing?
Yes, local SEO is a specific digital marketing strategy. It focuses on increasing your online visibility within your local area. Overall marketing encompasses a wider range of strategies to promote your business and attract customers, both online and offline and through organic traffic or paid traffic.
How long does it take to see results from local SEO?
The timeframe depends on your current local SEO ranking and competition level. However, with consistent effort, you can start seeing improvements within a few weeks to a few months.
Can I do local SEO myself, or do I need a professional?
You can definitely get started with local SEO on your own. There are many resources available online, such as our own blog! However, for a more advanced strategy or faster results, partnering with a local SEO company can be a great option.
What are some of the best local SEO practices?
Here are a few key things to focus on:
- Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile.
- Claim all the other online directories you want. EasyHosting can surely help with our OneList Plus service.
- Ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) is consistent across all online directories.
- Encourage positive customer reviews on Google, Facebook, and other relevant platforms.
- Optimize your website content with local keywords relevant to your area (local keyword research).
- Build citations on local directories and business listing websites.
Where can I find more information about local SEO?
EasyHosting is, without a doubt, the perfect place to start! Whether you’re looking to build a local business or ready to improve your local search efforts, EasyHosting has you covered with plenty of local SEO packages.
Need to learn more? Join EasyHosting to try our Local SEO services today! Contact us at support@easyhosting.com or call us at 1-888-390-1210 to find out more.
