Local SEO is the strategic practice which focuses on optimizing the web presence of a brick and mortar business for a local audience. Essentially, Local SEO helps businesses be found in local search results.
The strategy behind it involves implementing on-page optimizations, citations, writing strategic content, local link building, factoring localized intent and other tactics.
In addition, the strategy also involves optimizing a website’s Google My Business Listing. Like a featured Snippet, Google’s Map Pack shows a listing of different businesses in some local Google search results. Google Map Pack has an entirely different algorithm and rules.
When utilized and optimized correctly, implementing a Local SEO strategy can provide a powerful advantage for local business owners. Appearing on the first page can potentially drive thousands of ready to buy customers for local businesses.
Almost half of Google searches contain “local intent” and 4 out of 5 potential buyers use local search when they’re interested in more information about a local business (Source). A business without a proper local SEO plan could easily lose out on 80% of potential customers in the long term. They’ll often elect to choose a competitor that is visible in the search engines.
Some examples of a local search intent are “yoga studio near me” or “tax attorney for in New Orleans.” Often, local search queries don’t require geo-qualifiers, such as “gym near Corona California.” The intent of the search is often factored in to find local information. Attracting these potential customers opens an avenue of endless droves of ready to buy customers.