The Basics of Strong Local SEO Content

Business owners tend to think of SEO (aka search engine marketing) as a mystical thing, some complex mixture of unknown elements that causes websites to bubble up in the search engine rankings. While plenty of information exists on the intricacies of writing strong search engine optimization content, the most successful websites stick to a few basic principles, carried out very well:

• Create an excellent, user-friendly website
• Promote through social media and word of mouth
• Take control of business information online
• Become mobile-friendly

Create an Excellent, User-Friendly Website

First, make sure your website has a clear structure for users. The home page should link directly to every other page, and each page should be accessible for Google to view. This includes internal links between the pages and an XML sitemap that allows Google crawlers to locate and identify the most important URLs in your local search engine optimization strategy.

Once the structure is in place, focus on writing the best content possible. While this means incorporating search terms people will use to find your website, the primary driver should be good, informative writing that flows smoothly and reads naturally. The site should provide all of the information a customer might need to research and access your product or service.

Add new content periodically via updates or blog posts, which both increases your Google ranking and allows backlinks to other sections of your site. And each page should include your contact information, so potential customers don’t have to expend extra effort to find you—because most will not.

Promote Yourself through Social Media and Word of Mouth

Social media now commands a large portion of public attention. Registering your business with pages on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ can significantly boost traffic to your website. You can then offer perks to follow your Twitter and subscribe to your Facebook page. You should also add tags that encourage visitors to tweet and/or share your site.

Be sure to link this social media activity to your site content. Think of social media as a promotional tool for your business. Promotions and business milestones should automatically become posts. Tie occasional specials into proactive customer activity, whether it’s by re-tweeting, Facebook sharing, or blog linking.

Encourage customers to leave reviews: on your website, on Yelp, on Google+, and any other source of online reviews that encompasses your business. Word of mouth, in any medium, serves as a powerful driver of customer activity.

Take Control of Your Business Information Online

Many online directories exist for local business information. Take the time to list your company on as many as possible, either individually or through data aggregators, so that your business name and contact information are widely available.

When spreading your listing information, it’s your responsibility to ensure that the listing is correct. Submit it directly if you can—if not, contact listing services with any corrections and follow up to ensure that they’re made. You can and should claim your profile with as many directories as possible to maintain control over updates to your information. When in doubt, contact your preferred seo company for assistance to help ensure things get done right.

Become Mobile-Friendly

Today, people use smartphones almost as much as they use computers. Creating a mobile version of your website is crucial to reaching as many potential customers as possible. Be sure to list your business on Apple Maps and Google Maps as well, extending your reach further into your potential customer base.