Do I need local Search Engine Optimization

SEO companies in Toronto believe that one of the most effective ways to market your business is through local SEO. Whether you are a small or multi-location company, you have the ability to gain more exposure to customers by using the strategies of local search engine optimization.

Do you need to start using local search engine optimization? Any web design company in Toronto that also specializes in on-line marketing would say yes. There are many benefits to moving into this method of marketing. If you have the opportunity to grow your business, why wouldn’t you? Local SEO is becoming increasingly more competitive. If you’re not doing it and your competitors in the area are, you are probably even losing business. Not only are you missing out on capturing new customers, you’re giving them to someone else.

What is Local SEO?

Local Search Engine Optimization helps you rank higher in search engine results. Say you’re in the Toronto area, you can have a digital agency in Toronto use strategies to get you found by locals in your area. The aim is to help you as a local business appear higher in search results. When a customer searches for a business or business type (auto mechanic, dentist, or indoor lighting) near their location, this is local SEO.

Effectiveness of Local SEO

Statistics are showing how effective local SEO is. For example, 60% of customers who do a local search on their phone will visit a store within a day. Of those people who visit the store, 18% of the time it will lead to a sale. Of the people searching locally on their mobile, half of them are looking for local business information. This includes the business’ address. SEO companies in Toronto want all local businesses to know that you have to get your information out there or you’re losing out.

Here are some more facts. 71% of people will seek out the physical location of a business before going to it physically for the first time. And not surprisingly, nearly 50% of searches on Google are people looking for things in their area.

Local SEO-The New Yellow Pages

Your current and potential customers may find you from other marketing ventures you’ve been working on. Maybe referrals, newspaper ads or billboards. While they might see your brand, know your name and understand your value, there is something missing. SEO companies in Toronto explain that through your other methods of marketing, customers still don’t know where you’re physically located.

If you’re a brick-and-mortar company, it’s important that people know where you are. Local SEO in Toronto and beyond lets your customers know what your phone number is, what your company offers, and where it’s located. This was once the work of the Yellow Pages just to give you a gauge of how important local SEO is for reaching out to customers.

Google Will Love You For It

Google appreciates small, localized businesses. It’s been shown they actually favor businesses that are popularized by the public. Currently, just under half the number of small businesses have set-up their Google “My Business” listing. This puts you at an advantage ahead of your competition and can really be the spring board to your business growth. Google is putting a great deal of focus on local SEO. Google My Business is free and gives you the opportunity to show up in local search results that Google offer.

The Mobile/Local SEO Connection

Proximity based searches are one of the easiest ways for customers to find what they need in the most convenient location for them. So it goes without saying that you would want to make it easy for them to find you. People are doing mobile searches while they’re out and about, which equates to an immediate opportunity to get customers into your store.

Local SEO helps you get seen when people are doing proximity-based searches. This is really the power of local SEO. SEO companies in Toronto know that the future of local search engine optimization and being seen only will have a lot to do with the location information available online.

Customers Finding You When They Need To

When a customer is faced with a problem, they will search for types of businesses that will solve it. If you use a top SEO company in Toronto to implement local SEO strategies, your chances of exposure for customers that need you are far greater. The information customers will be searching for will likely include the following:

• Business type
• The phone number
• What the products or services are
• Opening hours
• Driving directions (how to get there)
• Special offers
• Ratings from customers
• Past reviews
• Accurate Local SEO Listing

Part of any local SEO Toronto strategy will include local directory marketing. This is one of the many strategies but it is superior in a sense. Online directories like Foursquare or Yelp have a higher conversion rate than the traditional means of advertising. In some directories, the conversion is almost half. By displaying the business name, address, phone number and other business details, you are put on page 1 of local directories. Also, your business is being represented accurately so customers know what you do, where you are, how to get in touch with you and when you’re open.

Reliability Factor on the Internet

Reviews are helping people to gauge businesses before they decide to walk through the doors. If you don’t set yourself up for reviews like this, you will miss out on being relevant. Word of mouth really matters when it comes to local business success through SEO. A digital agency in Toronto will help increase your company’s reputation by getting customers to leave positive reviews about your business. First though, you need to have the presence in the first place.

People are depending on the internet to get the information they need about local businesses. If people can’t find you on local search results, you don’t come off as professional. This is a sure way to miss out on new customers. Local SEO strategies are the best way to get the right people into your store. Right now is the perfect time to get on the local search trend. It’s in high demand but not everybody is doing it. Getting a top SEO agency in Toronto will take the guess work out of implementing the right strategies for your business.