Getting a Grip on 2018’s Local SEO Ranking Factors

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SEO is an important component of marketing since the internet came to life. Many businesses, if not all, have used it at one point to bolster their sites’ traffic and increase conversion rates. However, some of them have failed to get the most out of their SEO optimization strategies. The main reason for their failure is not how they implement these strategies. Rather, it is about where they use them. This post will focus on key factors that will shape up SEO in 2018.

Google My Business

Google My Business is a platform that enables you to develop and update your listing. This way, prospective customers and any other person who searches your business on Google will find you more easily. Make sure you create a Google My Business page. The process is quite simple and will not take you more than 20 minutes. You simply need to input your contacts, operating hours and directions to your business premises. These details will then be added to Google Search and Google Maps. You might want to include attractive pictures of your business and a comprehensive description of what you do to attract more customers.

Local Directories

Never ignore the impact of local directories this year. Local directories make it easier for people in your local community to find your business. People who are still new in the area may also use the directories to locate your business. Just like Google My Business, you must include a brief description of your business and list your contacts, address and operating hours. There are hundreds of apps out there that can help you create a good template for your local directory. They can also help you submit your listings automatically to hundreds of directories.

Reviews

The internet is a free world. One can say whatever he wants about your business. You need to keep track of reviews about your business out there and try as much as possible to address the negative ones. When you address a negative review, you are simply telling the dissatisfied customer that you care and that you are empathetic about his bad experience. This might convince him to remove the negative review. Also, you need to encourage reviews on your Google My Business page. Increasing the number of reviews on your page will increase the click-through rate, which is an important Google search ranking factor.

Backlinks

Backlinks refer to links that come from other websites to your site. Backlinks not only drive more traffic to your site, but they also increase your search engine rankings. However, you need high-quality backlinks to increase the popularity of your site. If you operate locally, for instance, as a local satellite internet company, then you need to have local links that redirect users to your website. Entice all your vendors and close business associates to link back to your site from their websites. If you have corporate clients, encourage them to link back to you too.

SEO Optimization

Search engine optimization will still play a key role in 2018. Make sure your site is fully optimized for search engines web crawlers. Make sure you provide relevant and quality content. Use relevant keywords and do not engage in keyword stuffing, as you might be penalized by Google. Your content should not only be relevant. It must also provide value to the users. Improve user experience. Make it easier for users to navigate and interact with your site. This includes developing a responsive website for mobile users. The more you optimize your SEO, the higher your chances of ranking highly in search engine results pages (SERPs). This means more traffic, increased conversion rates and improved sales.

The SEO factors mentioned above will play a key role in your business’ search rankings in 2018. Do not ignore them. Doing so is like telling people you are closed. You need to tell Google you are open for business and serious about getting more customers to visit your website and possibly convert.


Author Bio:  Jeremy is a tech and business writer from Simi Valley, CA. He’s worked for  Adobe, Google, and himself. He lives for success stories, and hopes to be one someday.

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