If you have a physical location that you want customers to visit, local SEO is a key component of your online marketing strategy. Local SEO refers to the practice of optimising your online presence to attract customers in your immediate area. This includes optimizing your website and social media profiles for local keywords and phrases, as well as ensuring that your business is listed accurately on local business directories and review sites.
The importance of local SEO can't be overstated, especially for small businesses. According to a survey by BrightLocal, a staggering 97% of consumers use the internet to search for local businesses. And of those, 88% read reviews, 85% use search engines, and 84% use maps to find local businesses.
In addition to attracting customers, local SEO is also important for driving foot traffic to your physical location. By optimizing for local keywords and phrases, you're more likely to show up in the "3-pack" of local business listings that appear at the top of search engine results.
This makes it more likely that potential customers will choose your business over a competitor when they're in the area.
But don't just take our word for it. According to a study by Google, 50% of consumers who conducted a local search on their smartphone visited a store within a day, and 34% of those searches resulted in a purchase.
In short, local SEO is essential for driving foot traffic to your physical location. By optimizing for local keywords and phrases, you can attract more customers and increase the chances of them visiting your business in person.