Optimize Your Site for Local SEO

Local SEO is the new buzzword. The Internet is full of businesses from all over the globe. Websites that try to compete with all related websites have little chance of getting visibility in front of their target audience without investing a lot of time and resources.

You can benefit from local SEO services if you are a startup or a micro, small, or medium business operating in a locality. Even big brands are reaping the benefits of local SEO strategies.

Optimizing your site for local searches helps you create a local community that believes in your business. And we all know customer trust is everything in business.

If you don't know where to start, read this blog, as it discusses simple local SEO strategies to show up in local searches.

6 Local SEO Strategies for Your Business

1- Create a Google My Business Profile

Google provides information about businesses with their location, niche, business hours, etc. If a company doesn't claim its GMB listing, its business information will remain at Google’s and users’ mercy.
According to Smart Bug, 56% of local businesses haven’t claimed their GMB listing. So, there is a high chance that your competitors also haven’t done that.
You can stand out by claiming your Google My Business listing and optimizing it with accurate details.
Also, you can use a post scheduler to schedule GMB posts for maintaining an active, engaging presence. Scheduling posts regularly inform your audience about the latest offers, events, and updates, enhancing visibility and interaction with your business.
Furthermore, you should go through your listing on and off to ensure everything is up to date and correct. Google users can suggest edits and modify your business listing if you don’t keep checking and updating it.

2- Use Schema Markup

Schema markup aids Google in presenting your business to local searchers. Schema markup isn't a ranking factor, but it may improve ranking as it allows Google to organize your information.
It also allows your business details to be displayed in related search results. Although the best SEO company in Dubai place schema markup where they demonstrate their client’s brand on their website.
Also, businesses that serve many locations should add schema to each location’s page.

3- Update NAP Citations on your Website

You should update your pages’ NAP (name, address, and phone number with area code) information. It makes it easier for customers and search engines to spot you.
Also, ensure NAP information is the same in all places it shows on your site, as well as, on the internet in general. Make your NAP crawlable HTML text so that google can display it better as per area-based search results.
Some businesses only add NAP within a picture, forgetting that search engines don’t crawl images like they do HTML text. The “Contact Us” page, footer, or header are some optimum places to locate NAP.

4- Add Your Key Business Information to Local Directories

GMB isn’t the only online directory listing where businesses can submit their details.

Some other trustworthy directories include:

Dubai Business Directory
Reach UAE
UAE Business Network
Yello
Local Search
Anglo Info
Etisalat Yellow Pages

These directories are authoritative and localized ones in UAE. You can get backlinks, attract traffic and boost your local SEO by submitting your company’s details to them.

Ensure your organization’s legal name, contact number, address, and site URL are the same in all directory listings.

5- Add Reviews on Your Site

Only having a maintained GMB listing isn't enough. Google notices how many customers have left positive feedback under your listings and offers your business higher rankings if you have many.
Customers might not give reviews on their own. You should request them to offer an honest customer testimonial after you take client exit interviews.
Always encourage satisfied clients to share experiences; discover how to answer a good review.
Sending follow-up emails also helps businesses earn reviews on Facebook, GMB, and Yelp. It's best to get positive reviews on all your directory listings.
And how should you tackle negative reviews? We recommend you immediately give a professional response showing your concern about their bad experience.
It's natural to get upset with a negative review, but your kind response can prevent your reputation from getting ruined.

6- Create content for Local Audiences

Local businesses can catch the eyes of Google by creating content on local events or news.
For example, local real estate agencies can publish content on whatever is buzzing in their neighborhood, especially related to the properties. Content that speaks to local people immensely affects people’s attention.

What kind of local content can you create?

Articles about local events, activities, and news stories
Videos about local NGOs, charities, or causes that your company supports
Web pages for specific areas with valuable local content if you operate in various parts of a country/region

Bottom Line

Some essential tips to consider while hiring a local search engine optimization agency.
Firstly, search engine optimization revolves around on-page SEO for area-specific searches, as well as, claiming and maintaining your GMB listing.
You might have noticed that we haven’t added local keyword research to our list of local SEO strategies.
Secondly, keyword research is a no-brainer for any SEO strategy. But appearing in top local search results asks for more focussed strategies than common ones like keyword research.
Lastly, optimizing your website for local searches isn’t as difficult as it sounds. You only need to implement the above strategies and stay vigilant about what your local community is doing and liking.