Search Engine Optimization (SEO) makes it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to drive local traffic to their stores and websites. By optimizing their content for search engines, they will rank higher in potential customers’ search results. With the majority of customers using online tools, such as search engines, to find new products and businesses, being at the top of the search list is a major advantage.
Most small and medium-size businesses struggled to capitalize on SEO and reputation management. Although they are important to driving traffic, these companies don't have the time or the resources to dedicate to managing their listings online. Fortunately, there are companies that can help SMB's experience the benefits of local SEO. Here is how SMB's can succeed by focusing on local SEO and reputation management.
What is Local SEO?
If you have been running your company for a while, then you likely heard of SEO. This is especially true if your main method of getting customers is their online sources. However, most people have not heard of local SEO, unless a party had a need for it. Local SEO is focused on optimizing content for search engines while focusing on attracting a local audience. This means that you focus on elements of your business that are local, like its location and marketing to the surrounding areas.
In many ways, local SEO launches the same way as any other optimization method. Much of the work focuses on tying your listings to keywords that will show up on local searches. If you have a brick-and-mortar store, this is one of the ways you can drive a lot of foot traffic to your location.
The benefits of SEO for local businesses are mainly focused on bringing in more customers. Many of your customers will begin searching for products and services using their smartphones or other devices that can connect to the Internet. Because of that, having an online presence is crucial to your success. However, you may not show up in searches focused on finding local resources unless you try to connect your content to the keywords that local searches are most likely to use.
A good example of this is the "search [insert interest here] near me" search feature on Google. Many customers use this or similar research methods to look for a product or service of the need from a vendor that is located near them, or in a specific area. If you can tie your products and services to the specific area that they are searching in, then you will show up higher on the list that other options
The Benefits of Reputation Management
Reputation management focuses on maintaining positive reviews and testimonials about your products or services as a part of your online presence. Social proof, the evidence that other people have used and liked your products or services, is a major part of how people decide on a company to shop with. Having positive social proof can be the difference between acquiring new customers and losing customers to your competitors.
If you have an online presence, then you have a reputation to protect. Reputation management lets you play an active role in how people view your company online. For example, taking an active role in your managing reputation means answering customers questions and responding positively to criticism. For many products and services, you can find questions that other customers are asking on businesses' online profiles.
Being communicative with your customers is important, but how you respond to them is just as important. By implementing reputation management methods, you can use your reputation as a way to drive traffic to stores.
Capitalizing on Your Online Presence
By combining reputation management and local SEO, you can have a strong online presence. Once this has been achieved, you can capitalize on that online presence to stand out from your competitors. This is a significant advantage as it allows you to differentiate yourself from other options with positive and effective methods. The larger your online presences and the more positive influence. They can have, the more likely you are to be the top choice for new customers. This can dramatically reduce the cost of acquiring new customers while raising your ability to attract customers to your store. Ultimately, the benefit of local SEO for small businesses combined with reputation management can ensure that you are a leading choice for customers in an increasingly competitive market.
Partnering with KitelyTech
Local SEO and reputation management can be time-consuming, which is a problem for SMBs. To get the benefits without drastically increasing your workload, partner with KitelyTech. We offer reputation management and local SEO management services, which can help you grow your business without a lot of extra work. Call KitelyTech at (800) 274 2908 for a consultation with our SEO specialists.
