Nearly 70% of all online traffic comes from local and organic searches. In fact, search engines generate 300% more website traffic than social media. Nearly four in five consumers use search engines to find information about local businesses.

With a local search engine optimization (SEO) strategy, you can discover how to attract customers to your business this summer. What exactly is the importance of SEO for summer businesses?

Read on to find out!

What Is Local SEO?

First, let’s cover the basics. Local SEO is a type of search engine optimization. It allows businesses to appear before consumers who are conducting relevant searches online.

When a nearby shopper looks for your product or service, your business could appear. The consumer can visit your website or explore your Google Business profile. There, they can learn more about your business and offerings.

Google considers four parameters when determining local rankings:

  • Relevance: is the business relevant to the search?
  • Proximity: is the business nearby and practical to reach?
  • Prominence: how prominent is the business?
  • Distance: what is the distance from the user’s location?

You’ll need to utilize multiple SEO strategies to appear in front of relevant consumers.

For example, you can target location-specific keywords on your website. You can also use location pages or take advantage of online directories.

The Importance of SEO

As a local business, you’re likely competing with international companies and large organizations. Local SEO marketing can level the playing field. You can gain more visibility online to reach nearby consumers.

Here are a few ways a local SEO strategy can benefit your summer business.

Visibility

It takes seven to five brand impressions for someone to remember a business. The more often consumers see your business online, the more likely they’ll recall it. When they want to purchase your product or service later, they’ll remember your business.

Local SEO marketing can help you generate more brand visibility.

In time, your website and business name will appear at the top of search engine result pages (SERPs). Ranking at the top of a page will help you gain visibility. Consumers will see your brand before another local business.

If consumers can’t find your business online, however, they’ll choose one of your competitors instead.

Your Google Business listing will take up prominent space on SERPs. Consumers will immediately see your business, including your name and photos.

As brand visibility grows, you’ll have an easier time attracting customers to your store.

Foot Traffic

About 76% of people who make a local search visit a local business within five miles of their location. In fact, 28% of these searches result in purchases. With local SEO, you can attract local customers to your store.

Generating more foot traffic will help you generate more sales.

As more people visit and shop from your store, you’ll generate a buzz. You can leverage word-of-mouth marketing to reach even more customers.

You can also use SEO strategies to generate more website traffic. As more people visit your website, your organic rankings will improve. You’ll rank at the top of SERPs for more keywords.

As you rank for more search queries, you’ll generate even more brand awareness and traffic.

Credibility

As part of your local SEO strategy, it’s important to generate customer reviews. Reviews will help your Google Business profile appear for more searches. Positive reviews can also help you gain a strong reputation.

Consumers read reviews to determine which local businesses they can trust. As you generate reviews, brand trust will grow.

Generating brand trust will help you generate more foot traffic and sales.

Ranking at the top of SERPs can also help your business appear more credible. Consumers are more likely to trust a business on the first page of search results.

Engagement

You can use SEO strategies to encourage consumers to engage with your brand.

For example, consumers can comment on your blog posts. They can leave reviews on your profile, allowing you to generate feedback. You can use these comments to make informed changes to your business to boost customer satisfaction.

Consumers can also interact with your Google Business listing. They can call your business or make reservations from your profile. Generating more engagement can lead to more sales.

Leads

Recognizing the importance of SEO marketing will help your business grow.

As your rankings improve, you’ll reach even more customers. Each customer you reach is a sales opportunity.

SEO is also a cost-effective marketing strategy. You can generate leads and sales without blowing through your marketing budget.

Once you improve your local SERP rankings, it can take months or even years for competing businesses to knock you down. You can experience these benefits long-term to continue experiencing growth.

How To Get Started

If you want to attract local customers using SEO, you need a multi-faceted strategy. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Gather Keyword Research

Gather keyword research using tools like Keyword Planner, Google Trends, or Answer the Public. Focus on longer phrases that contain location-specific keywords.

Use these keywords to optimize your website. Create new blog content that targets location-specific phrases. Your website pages and blog content will start appearing for relevant searches.

Try creating content based on local news and events to remain timely. This content can also help you generate backlinks. Share your content on social media to reach more customers.

Embed a Google map onto your website’s Contact Us page.

Claim and Optimize Your Listing

Claim and optimize your Google Business listing. Confirm that the information matches what appears on your website.

Share updates and keep generating reviews to keep the content fresh.

If you need help, consider partnering with a local SEO marketing agency.

Discover How to Attract Customers Today

Learn how to attract customers to your business during the summer with local SEO. With the right SEO strategies, you can appear in front of potential customers online. As you generate more brand awareness, you can appeal to customers who want your offerings.

Remember, you don’t have to develop your local SEO strategy alone. We can help.

Contact our team at Optic Marketing Group today to attract local customers to your business!