SEO Local Search Checklist

Local Search 

Local search is one of the most effective methods of inbound lead generation for many product and service-based businesses. 

When customers discover businesses in an organic and ad-free environment, it is easier to establish trust and authority during sales. 

Of course, local search is not a simple process. Because it’s a relatively new concept it can be challenging to understand and execute as well. 

Birdeye’s SEO local search checklist gives you a quick overview of the local search optimization process with a detailed checklist to help you put the process into practice. 

Local SEO vs. SEO 

Before we dive into the world of local search, it’s essential to understand the differences between local SEO and global SEO (or SEO). They belong to the same marketing category but require vastly different approaches and techniques. 

SEO is a practice that improves the web traffic for a business by improving the website's visibility in search engines like Google. You can choose keywords that suit your business and optimize your website and content so customers from anywhere in the world can find you faster. SEO success depends on a few technical factors and the quality of content you produce.

On the other hand, local SEO is a practice that helps businesses generate locally-relevant traffic to their website and business. The focus of local SEO is ensuring the local target audience can find a business when they look for a particular product or service. Many factors play a vital role in the success of local SEO, like the accuracy of location, local citations, reviews, and Google Business profile status. 

What are the benefits of local search?

It’s important to note that even if a business has a solid SEO strategy, investment in local SEO is essential - especially if they serve a particular location. Even for businesses with multiple location outlets, local SEO can provide several benefits: 

• Optimizing a business profile can boost traffic, as local and organic searches account for 69% of overall web traffic. 
• Improve brand visibility in your locality, as 42% of local searches result in clicks on the Google Map Pack.
• Businesses can reduce ad spending as local searches have become the top source to find a local business as of 2020. 
• Local SEO efforts lead to more phone calls and direct contact by the lead, according to a survey on local search marketing in 2021. 

When ad spots are becoming more expensive by the minute and trust in advertising is at an all-time low, optimizing for local search can help keep the lead funnel occupied. 

Who needs local SEO?

Local SEO is incredibly effective, but it’s not equally important for all businesses. Some industries and businesses need local SEO more than others do. 

If a business's scope is confined to a particular area, it may benefit from local SEO more than any other marketing practice. Local SEO can make sure these businesses reach their target audience in their time of need for faster conversions. 

Some industries and businesses that typically benefit from local SEO are: 

-Dentists 

-Restaurants

-Retail stores

-Self-storage units 

-Real estate agents

-Property management firms 

-Home Services 

-Automotive dealerships

-Hospitality businesses

-Health and wellness businesses

How to succeed in Local SEO 

Many local businesses struggle with optimizing their content and listings for local search. It’s also a relatively new practice for businesses to focus wholly on local searches as a marketing tool. So even if businesses recognize the importance of local SEO, they may not know where to begin, or how to use it to their advantage.

Luckily, our local search checklist can give you a comprehensive understanding of local SEO to be successful. But before you get started, here are a few basic principles you can focus on to use local SEO properly: 

-Consistency: Ensure that the data you upload about your business is consistent in all aspects. Google values accurate and consistent listing information, and any form of discrepancy impacts the results. 

-Attention to detail: Local SEO has over five to six components beyond the location and listing data. Each of these components is equally important, so when you go live, all of them must be current at all times. This means paying attention to detail and monitoring all information closely is crucial. 

-Systemic approach: Since consistency and attention to detail play a vital role in the overall success of local search campaigns, businesses need a system. Human error is far too probable to be left to chance. Developing a system can ensure local search campaigns run smoothly. 

Why do you need this local search checklist? 

Many things must work for your business to show up in Google’s local map pack. As we said, a system would help ensure things run smoothly and that no critical element is left unattended. 

This checklist by Birdeye is one of the most comprehensive checklists you will find on local SEO 

This checklist lists the steps to use local SEO effectively and behaves as a problem-solving tool to combat the most common local SEO challenges. 

Some of the most common challenges in local SEO are:

-Google Business Profile management 

-On-page optimization 

-Review management 

-Local content creation 

Accordingly, this local search checklist takes a business through the following: 

-A detailed location data checklist 

-Local website checklist 

-Reputation management

-Optimization of Google Business profile 

-Locally-relevant content creation 

-Tips on how to improve local search rankings 

Birdeye: The best review management software for local businesses

Monitor your local listings, citations, reviews, and online reputation from a straightforward dashboard with Birdeye. Local search is challenging, but Birdeye ensures that you have a strong review generation and management system in place to rank higher for your target keywords. 

Download now and boost your local presence with Birdeye's local SEO checklist.