1. Your potential customers are using the internet to find local businesses
Billions of local searches are performed each day by millions of users (your potential customers) on desktop AND, more importantly, on mobile.
Yes, some still use printed phone books (I’m not sure why)… but more and more people are turning to the internet to get information about the services and products they need. Where are you showing up in their search results? Here are some local SEO statistics to consider:
- 900% growth in “near me” searches
- 46% of all Google searches are local
- 64% of local searchers use search engines and directories as their primary way to find local business
- 50% of local mobile searchers look for business information (like a company’s address or phone number)
2. Mobile search is now outgrowing desktop
More and more customers favor using mobile phones (now being called phablets) or tablets to find the best local businesses while they’re on the go. This trend ushered in the keyphrase “Near Me.”
Mobile queries in the U.S. are now higher at 63% in comparison to desktop use at 37%. Local SEO works on optimizing both desktop and mobile internet access indicating you never miss out on a potential customer.
3. Local search marketing is super geo-targeted and timely
The main reason for a local search is to find a specific local business. The second most common reason is to get information about a product or service. Many local searchers are looking for a particular business’s name, but many times when the searcher begins their search, they don’t have a specific business in mind.
By using SEO-friendly local search tactics, you can better position your practice and advocate what you do or provide to local customers when they’re looking for you. After all, there is no better time to connect with a potential customer than when they need and want you.
4. Highest conversion levels of all local advertising channels
Online directories (like Yelp, Citysearch, Foursquare, etc.) exhibit a business’ NAP (name, address, phone number) and sometimes additional information (like a menu, business description, or list of services). Local directories many times dominate the first page of geo-targeted local search results.
Local directory marketing, which is just one avenue of local SEO, has a higher than normal conversion rate compared to other more traditional advertising options – up to 50% conversion on some directories. What this all means is that by getting your business listed as accurately as possible on as many high-quality online directory sites as you can, you’ll be able to convert one out of every two leads into actual customers.
5. Great return on investment (ROI)
Unlike conventional local advertising (e.g., local newspapers, leaflets, direct mail, etc.), with local SEO there is little wasted exposure. You communicate with potential customers when they need you — not when they don’t, which makes local SEO both practical and very affordable in terms of ROI (return on investment).
6. Claimed listings help outrank your local competition
Want to get ahead of your local competition? Only 44% of businesses have actually claimed their Google My Business listing, so start there.
Google My Business is a FREE listing (citation) that Google makes available for almost any type of business. Getting indexed on Google My Business can help bolster your chances of showing up higher in local search results on Google.
7. People tend to trust businesses with healthy reviews more
Are you surprised that 84% of consumers trust online reviews as much as a friend’s referral? You shouldn’t be. Are you surprised that 84% of consumers trust online reviews as much as a friend’s referral? You shouldn’t be.
Word-of-mouth is a vital factor in the success of many local businesses. To enhance your company’s online reputation, ask trusted customers to leave reviews about your business online — you could potentially attract hundreds of new patients since reviews from one’s vicinity feature prominently on search results.
8. Protect and control your business data online
The fact that local customers rely on the internet to obtain information on your business can be a two-edged sword. Claiming and maintaining your local listings gives you a measure of control so that public users may not accidentally “suggest” an incorrect edit to your business address, phone number, or practice name.
If you do not control access to many of these public database listings, a disgruntled competitor could potentially change your phone number to theirs, thus stealing your incoming phone calls and business!
Users will often have their first experience with your brand via a directory before ever visiting your website.
These days, people turn to the internet to obtain information about all types of products and services. If your business is not visible in local search results, you’ll miss out on any new customers. By using a variety of local SEO strategies for your practice it can help you show up on the online map for future patients to see!
If you don’t know how to start, you can check my list of free SEO courses and guides.
