Local Search and Local SEO Services.
As we move into 2024, the importance of local Search has never been greater. With the rise of mobile search and voice search and the continued dominance of Google, businesses focus more on optimizing their online presence for local Searches. This article will explore why local Search is exploding in 2024 and what companies can do to exploit this trend.
The Growth of Mobile Search
Mobile devices are now the primary means of accessing the internet for many people. This means that people use their phones to search for local businesses and services while on the go. Google reports that nearly 80% of local searches on mobile devices turn into purchases. This is a massive opportunity for businesses to capture the attention of potential customers looking for what they have to offer.
Voice Search Is on the Rise
Voice search is becoming more popular as people use voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant to search for information. It’s estimated that by 2024, 8 billion voice assistants will be used worldwide. This means businesses need to optimize their online presence for voice search by using natural language and answering common questions related to their business.
The Importance of Google Maps
Google Maps is a powerful tool for local Search. When people search for businesses on Google, they often see a map pack at the top of the search results. This map pack shows local companies that match the search query and includes information like the business’s name, address, phone number, and reviews. Getting your business listed in the map pack can be a game-changer for local SEO, as it puts your business right in front of potential customers.
Personalization of Search Results
Google is continually refining its search algorithm to provide more personalized results for users. Search results are tailored to the user’s location, search history, and other factors. Optimizing for local Search is essential for businesses to ensure their business is visible to potential customers.
The Importance of Reviews
Reviews are an essential part of local SEO. Positive reviews can improve your business’s visibility in local search results, while negative reviews can harm your business’s reputation. Encouraging customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook can help improve your online presence and attract more customers.
Things are heating up and are all set to boil over this year. Several rising factors suggest that local Search in 2023 should deserve your complete attention. Now, more than ever before, you have to meet the increasing demands of mobile users.
Trust us—this is something you do not want to miss.
Why You Should Focus on Local Search in 2024
Mobile is moving up in the world. Users spend most of their online time on mobile—51% compared to 42% on desktop as of last year. Why the steady increase? It’s easy to assume that it’s because more people use mobile devices like smartphones. But that doesn’t explain why you should focus so much on mobile this year. You need some genuine reasons.
Of course, you don’t need an excuse to make your site the best to rank on Local SEO. But if that’s not enough, here are significant reasons to focus on local Search in 2024 based on recent news and trends:
Wearable devices. As if we needed another reason to distance ourselves from desktop searches. Wearable devices like the Apple Watch are becoming more than just conveniences; they’re becoming fashion accessories. Customers are asking Siri, Cortana, and whomever else to help them find the closest burger joint, nearest gas station, etc. A haptic feedback feature tells the wearer exactly where and when to turn to locate their destination. With that kind of power at the customer’s disposal, your business info MUST be kept up to date if you want to be found.
No more Google Location tool. By December last year, almost every SEO company noticed that Google had removed its Location search tool. The implications for this are enormous: Google is now only—or primarily—showing local results to search queries. This shift away from global search results means many key terms may suddenly have less reach. For example, “SEO company” is a general term, while “San Diego SEO Company” is more location-focused. This poses a potential problem for businesses that serve on a global scale (like ours), as it means users who search for “SEO company” may only get results based on what’s close by.
Removing this tool may cause severe issues for your bottom line if your business doesn’t have a brick-and-mortar location. And with Google Map Pack to work with, you’ve got to vie for the top ad spots to ensure you stay on top of competitors.
Google’s continuing focus on User Experience. No surprise here—Google is continuing its focus on better UX into 2023. And considering how many users are now on mobile, that experience had better be pretty good. We saved it for last on this list because, despite Google’s efforts, user experience is still something many websites aren’t prioritizing. It seems almost too simplistic and vague, so it’s still overlooked. Your mobile site must first and foremost serve the user and make it easy for them to find what they need. That means your site has got to be fast and informative.
How You Can Improve Your Local Presence
So, how do you get into the Google Map Pack? How do you get users to find and choose your company over the others out there? First, you must take advantage of the changes we’ve already seen. And you have to get started now.
Here are some quick and straightforward steps you can take. Implement them right away, and your business will benefit.
Verify your business on Google My Business. Yes—you need a Google My Business account, even if you already have a website. Submitting your robots.txt file is a step you need to take to get indexed; putting your info in Google My Business is essential for your business info to show up on Google’s Web results and Google Map Pack.
Get more Google reviews. Five-star reviews and short blurbs on the local search results can significantly increase your website’s clickthrough. But you shouldn’t just write them yourself. Sure, you could, but asking your clients is much less work (and far more gratifying). On the other hand, if they’re happy with the work you’ve been doing—and why wouldn’t they be?—more often than not, they’ll be glad to write you a glowing review. Moreover, whatever they have to say will be a thousand times more honest than if you had written the study yourself.
Add location schema. Location schema and the Place type allow Google to add your business’s info to the search results quickly. For example, you can include your address, business hours, and geographical coordinates to make it easy for anyone to find you. Schema is an excellent idea because it helps Google understand what kind of site it is. It’s great when a repeat customer tries to remember your business but can’t remember the name!
Maintain your Facebook business page. Facebook recently launched its Professional Services page. Like Yelp or Angie’s List, this directory can help users search for a service by acting as an international or local business listing. Will it replace Google as a primary search function?
Have questions about what you can do to improve your 2024 Google local search? Contact us.
What is local search and local SEO?
Local search refers to the use of search engines to find local businesses or services. Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) involves optimizing a business’s online presence to appear more prominently in these local search results.
Why is local search gaining popularity?
The increase in mobile device usage has led to more people searching for products and services “near me.” This trend makes local search crucial for businesses wanting to attract nearby customers.
How does local SEO benefit businesses?
Local SEO helps businesses increase their visibility to a local audience, which is more likely to convert into store visits, phone calls, or immediate online purchases.
Why are local SEO services in high demand?
With the growing importance of local search, businesses seek professional help to improve their local rankings and outperform competitors.
What role does Google My Business play in local SEO?
Google My Business is a critical tool for local SEO. It allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps, helping them to be found more easily.
Are customer reviews important for local SEO?
Yes, customer reviews significantly impact local search rankings. Positive reviews can improve a business’s credibility and attract more local customers.
How do local SEO and traditional SEO differ?
Local SEO focuses on optimizing for geographically related searches and a local audience, while traditional SEO targets broader, non-location-specific keywords.
Is local SEO important for all businesses?
Local SEO is especially important for businesses with a physical location or those serving a specific geographic area. However, online businesses without a physical location might focus more on traditional SEO.
Can social media impact local SEO?
Yes, active social media engagement can enhance local SEO by driving local traffic, increasing brand awareness, and contributing to reputation management.
How does technology affect local SEO?
Advances in AI and voice search technology are shaping the way local searches are conducted. Businesses must adapt their SEO strategies to stay relevant in this evolving landscape.
Is local SEO a one-time task?
No, local SEO requires ongoing effort. Regular updates, consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) information, and fresh content are necessary for maintaining and improving local search rankings.
How does local search impact e-commerce businesses?
Even for e-commerce businesses, local SEO can drive traffic from areas where they have a significant customer base, enhancing brand presence and potentially increasing sales.
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Garry Grant is a distinguished expert in search engine optimization and digital marketing, boasting over 25 years of experience in the industry. As the founder of SEO, Inc., Garry has successfully expanded the company’s offerings by developing innovative technologies and strategic solutions to address complex challenges. Please visit our SEO Company.
Garry provides specialized consulting services to select organizations with established in-house SEO and Paid Search teams. His expertise has proven instrumental in enhancing team performance, introducing cutting-edge strategies, and optimizing page speed, thereby equipping internal teams with industry-leading techniques. His client portfolio includes renowned enterprises such as SC Johnson, 20th Century Fox, Vegas.com, IGN, Walmart, Target, and Pacific Gas and Electric, among others. To schedule an initial consultation with Garry, please utilize the provided calendar link.