One thing we know about digital marketing is that it’s constantly changing and evolving depending on the needs of consumers. Despite that, businesses continue to thrive with the help of search engine optimization that boosts their online presence; it’s only a matter of who’s at the top, which also changes constantly. But the basics of SEO are no longer enough to keep you in competition; you need to make use of advanced local SEO tactics if you want to stay at the top and continue to propel your brand forward.
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What are some of the advanced strategies for local SEO dominance?
There are many different ways to assert your dominance over local SEO, which include the following:
Building trust and credibility through local authority. One of the best ways to market yourself in the market is to become a trusted local. Authority. Of course, this feat isn’t easily done overnight, so here are some things you can start doing to achieve it:
- Focus on local content marketing. There’s an adage that reads, “Even the tallest towers start from the ground.” Likewise, if you want to make it big in the competitive market, you should start small. Focus on crafting high-quality content targeting the locals’ interests and needs. For example, if you live in Sydney, you could write practically anything about the locality, such as hidden tourist spots in the city, SEO companies in Sydney you could work with, must-try local cuisines, or even activities people should try during different seasons. You can even write about the current happenings or the struggles of the locals and your target customers.
- Utilize customer reviews and testimonials. Speaking of customers, their feedback is crucial to your business since leaving positive online reviews and testimonials will not only serve as proof of how good your services are but will also help you establish a good relationship with your customers. With that said, encourage them to leave positive reviews on different platforms, whether it’s Yelp or Google My Business. Make sure you engage with the reviews, both positive and negative, to showcase your dedication toward achieving customer satisfaction.
- Engage in communities. Similar to reviews, you also need to be proactive and take part in the local community. Make yourself visible by partnering with local charities, sponsoring events, or tapping into local influencers to work with your brand. By doing this, you’re boosting your brand’s visibility, and you can also know your target market better.
Mastering online citations and local business listings.
Now that you’ve gotten yourself out there, literally, it’s time to do your due work and enhance your online presence, starting with citations. Your name and brand must be consistent in all directories and websites, so make sure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are all in order. Once you’ve done work on those aspects, here’s how you can use them as an advantage in the market:
- Optimize your Google My Business listing. The very foundation of your local SEO strategy is your business listing. Make sure that your Google My Business is verified and optimized with the correct information that includes a complete list of your services and everything tied to your business. If it’s not verified, then all your efforts could end up in vain, no matter how many optimization tools or strategies you use.
- Make your NAP consistent across all directories. Your NAP should be verified and correct because it’s posted across different directories where your business is listed, and it’s tied to your ranking factor when it comes to your local SEO.
- Broaden your citation footprint. It’s not enough to list your brand under Yelp or Yellow Pages; you should expand it and put your name out more; list it on MerchantCircle, Trustpilot, or even OpenTable. Look for local business associations or industry-specific directories relevant to your niche to streamline your listing claim and management.
Focus on micro-communities and embrace hyperlocal SEO.
Sometimes, markets where the competition is pretty high tend to focus on hyperlocal SEO. This strategy focuses on communities or neighborhoods located within your larger city. To do so, here are the things you can do:
- Craft hyperlocal content.
- Use long-tail keywords with geographic precision.
- Collaborate with local micro-influencers.
Although all these tips have shown great results once consistently applied, you should do your part as a business owner to constantly monitor the market to be updated on the latest events. After all, the digital marketing landscape is constantly changing, so you must also continuously adapt and evolve along with it.
I am an SEO professional and writer at VOCSO Digital Agency. I love to learn and write about digital marketing terms like SEO, social media, and SEM.
