If you own a small business, you need to pay attention to local seo. Getting ranked high in search engine results should be an important part of your e-commerce strategy. The phrase Search Engine Optimization, or SEO for short, is thrown around a lot, and with good reason. But how much do you know about Local SEO? Is this an aspect of online marketing that’s gone unnoticed? Read on …

To paraphrase an old bumper sticker: “Think locally, search locally”

What’s a Local Search?

Though the definition is up to a little interpretation, it can be narrowed down to this: a local search is conducted in order to find results within a particular geographical area, such as “pet shops in Boston”.

The big search engines such as Google or Bing let you conduct local searches, sure, but you can also access local search engines to find goods and services in your area. Some of them may sound familiar: Local.com, Google Maps, and Yahoo Local. There’s even a Yellow Pages online.

How To Do Local SEO

So, for local search engines and local searches, you need appropriate SEO. In your ongoing quest to rank first on Google, consider these Local SEO strategies.

Consistent, Correct Information

It’s easy for company information to get confused, considering how many different information databases you can put that sort of thing in. Be completely sure that your business’ information, key stuff like company name, address, phone numbers, and operating hours are all up to date and consistent throughout all of your online listings (like the aforementioned Yahoo Local and Google Plus Local).

Google Plus Local Listing

Your business can have a free listing on Google Plus Local. All you need to do is claim and verify it. It’s as easy as that.

Make Sure You’re Listed EVERYwhere

Don’t just settle for a Google Plus Local listing; make sure that your business is listed in other local directories such as Facebook Business Pages, Merchant Circle, GetListed, ReferLocal, TrueLocal, Best of the Web Local, and Izito.com.

Build Links To Peers

Consider getting links from other local businesses and organizations. For instance, check out the local Chamber of Commerce, local media (television, radio, cable access, and newspapers), civic organizations, local colleges and schools, and places of worship. Touch base with other businesses that complement yours, creating a sort of symbiotic relationship.

Good Word of Mouth

In terms of effectiveness, the best ad campaign in the world can still be trumped by a single glowing recommendation from a trusted friend. If your customers are happy, encourage them to give feedback and post it on sites like Yelp, Citysearch, and of course Google Plus. Asking for this kind of feedback needs to become a habit for you and your business.

It’s true that a lot of these strategies take time and dedication, but considering how much your business could benefit from these tips, it’s well worth the trouble. Local searches conducted on mobile devices, for instance, have increased fourfold. In fact, Mobile Path to Purchase indicates that half of mobile user activity ended up with a purchase. Don’t let local seo pass you by.