Unleashing Local SEO Magic: The Benefits of Local SEO for a Small Business

Why Optimise SEO for Local Results?

Understanding the significance of optimising SEO for local results is rooted in Google's utilization of local search algorithms, on top of its usual ranking factors. Google doesn't limit displaying pertinent local results solely to queries incorporating city names, states, or "near me" keywords. Interestingly, even if the search intent isn't explicitly local, Google recognizes and responds to local contexts, offering users results that align with their geographical proximity.

In the vast digital landscape, small local businesses often face the challenge of standing out among their competitors. This is where the magic of local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes into play. Local SEO is a powerful tool that empowers businesses to enhance their online presence by being visible to the right audience, connecting with their local community, and attracting valuable clients. Let's explore the benefits of local SEO for small businesses.

SEO challenges:

This client is a well-established local office and coworking business with over a decade of experience. In the aftermath of the pandemic, which significantly impacted their customers' habits, many of whom preferred working from home rather than commuting to the office, they faced the challenge of attracting more clients and businesses from the immediate local area. Recognizing the importance of local SEO, they embarked on a journey to optimise their online presence for enhanced visibility within their London Borough.

Strategies:

Optimized Google Business Profile (GBP):

A fully optimized GBP (previously Google My Business) is the cornerstone of successful local SEO. We ensured that the client's profile was complete with accurate business information, compelling images, and positive customer reviews. We helped the business remind their clients to leave new reviews by sharing their GBP link via a newsletter campaign.

Local Keyword On-Page Optimization:

By conducting thorough keyword research specific to the client's location and industry, we strategically integrated relevant keywords into their website content, meta tags, and other key elements. This targeted approach improved their visibility for local searches, increasing the likelihood of attracting potential clients looking for office spaces in the area.

Mobile Optimization for SEO Benefits:

Recognising the importance of mobile searches in the realm of local SEO, we optimized the client's website for mobile devices. This involved increasing the mobile speed score, adjusting the text for easier readability, image optimisation and utilizing a more mobile-friendly website builder template.

Leverage Local Directories and Other Local Listings:

Leveraging the power of local link building, we obtained high-quality backlinks from local directories, businesses and community websites. The presence of multiple local listings from reputable sources increases the business's credibility in the eyes of search engines. This not only strengthened the client's website authority but also contributed to improved search engine rankings for location-based queries and enhanced the visibility of the client's listings.

Ensured NAP consistency

NAP refers to the name, address, and phone number (including area code) of a business. We ensured that the business NAP was displayed as crawlable HTML text throughout the website to optimize its visibility in location-based search results.

The Results:

Implementing these local SEO strategies yielded tangible results for this business, which saw an overall performance boost, not just in increased traffic from local searches, but also in growing brand awareness. Since working with The Creative Shak, all the KPIs improved and helped the business recover from the pandemic hit.

- 100% Year-over-Year (YoY) Sessions Increase: a substantial surge in traffic acquisition coming from organic search and direct channels.

- More than 130% YoY Total Revenue Increase: Online bookings for the coworking space rose steadily, as well as inquiries and viewings for offices, indicating heightened engagement and visibility.

Conclusion:

The case study stands as a testament to the transformative power of local SEO for small businesses, showcasing how strategic optimization can lead to enhanced visibility, increased engagement, and, ultimately, business growth. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, embracing the magic of local SEO is not just a strategy; it's a necessity for small businesses aiming to thrive in their local communities.