Local SEO services: What to use for better search rankings

Local SEO services often serve as a lifeline for busy businesses that need to stand out in competitive industries. From agency services to tools that automate your local marketing, there are plenty of options to help your rankings. Here’s a breakdown of what’s available so you can choose the right local SEO services for your business.

What are local SEO services?

Local search engine optimization (SEO) services are experts or digital tools that help businesses with their local search presence. Local SEO services work to give your business maximum visibility for searches like “best [your product/service] near me.”

The top Google result for “best cocktail bar in Boston”

These services include various strategies such as:

• Optimizing Google Business Profiles (GBP)
• Name, address, and phone number (NAP) consistency
• Managing online reviews
• Local keyword research and targeting
• On-page optimization
• Creating localized content
• Local link building

You might contract monthly local SEO services from an agency or freelancer to take care of everything.Or if you prefer to keep things in-house, you can subscribe to affordable tools that give you everything you need.Take the time to understand the different local SEO services available and choose what’s best for your situation.

How local SEO services benefit your business

Local SEO services can significantly boost the revenue businesses attract from search engines. Because it’s a more targeted approach, good local SEO strategies often lead to higher conversion rates. For brick-and-mortar stores, local SEO attracts potential customers within walking distance looking for immediate solutions.

A Google Business Profile for a restaurant

For small businesses that need to focus on the day-to-day, local SEO services reduce the marketing workload and take the pressure off. Getting help with your local SEO removes the need to constantly check in on rankings and update directories yourself.

Ultimately, robust local SEO strategies provide a competitive edge, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. Without a strong local strategy, smaller businesses might struggle to compete effectively against larger enterprises in their area. Quality local SEO services get more eyes on your business and are an investment in the company’s growth.

Agency local SEO services or local SEO tools?

Without in-house resources to improve your local visibility, hiring experts could be the way to go. Local SEO packages with agencies range from basic Google Business Profile setup to full-service management. Agencies can create local content for your blog, run review campaigns, and keep you informed of their progress. It pays to do your due diligence when outsourcing your local SEO. For example, avoid agencies that promise a high number of local backlinks every month. Obtaining quality local links is hard work and not simply a monthly quota to hit.

If you prefer to keep your local SEO closer to home, use online tools to make your strategy more manageable. Leveraging these tools enables businesses to streamline their efforts, identify optimization opportunities, and stay ahead in local search. A good place to start is a free local SEO audit. This will give you a better understanding of where you currently stand and which local SEO services will be most useful to you.

Semrush’s free local audit tool

From there, you can work out what needs to happen to get your local citations and reviews in better shape. Whether you choose to use an agency or SEO tools, the same local ranking factors apply. You just need to be consistent and follow best practices.

What good local SEO services should offer

As you weigh up various local SEO services, check that the options you’re considering offer the essential features. At the top of your list of priorities should be Google Business Profile management. A significant 60% of local customers find everything they are looking for right there on the SERP (search engine results page). This makes GBP, Bing Places, and other rich results a key focus for local SEO.
 

Local results for breakfast places

Google Business Profile management should include access to analytics so you can see your progress over a given period. While GBP is the most important listing, you can’t ignore management of other local citations. The service should ensure accurate NAP data across multiple high-authority directories and local listings.

Business listings are also a good way to start local link building. An agency local SEO service might offer to submit press releases and guest posts to further develop your profile. Or you can use a tool like Semrush to uncover link building opportunities. Local SEO services should include in-depth local keyword research to target region-specific search queries. You can use your target keywords for content marketing, listings descriptions, landing pages, and social media.

Review management is another essential local SEO service. You need to monitor online reviews across various platforms, replying to both positive reviews and negative feedback. A thorough competitor analysis will generate profitable local keywords and give insights into rival review strategies. Whether you use an agency or a tool, track local SEO performance with insightful reports to help refine strategies.