One of the key aspects of local SEO is targeting specific locations like cities. But what if you want to target multiple cities at once? Well, using local SEO is one way to do this. However, it’s easy to wrong and actually end up hurting your search result ranking. When it’s done the right way, though, it can be a great way to boost your rank and increase traffic. In this article, we’ll go over some of the best strategies for local SEO in multiple cities, as well as some of the common missteps that can make a strategy ineffective.
The Importance of Local SEO
You may be wondering why you should even try to use local SEO if there’s a risk it might be the opposite of helpful. Well, there are two main reasons: increasing local foot traffic and increasing your google search rank. Let’s start with local traffic. More than 50% of local searches result in a visit to a physical store, and nearly as many total searches on Google include a local keyword. These numbers on their own make a big argument for the importance of local SEO, and that’s before we even go over the second reason.
Ranking high in search results is the ultimate goal of an SEO strategy, and local SEO can be a huge part of its success or failure. Two of the main key performance indicators (KPIs) of SEO are increased clicks and the increase of your keyword ranking. Local SEO is one of the best ways to hit both of these KPIs on the head.
What About City Pages?
It used to be that city pages were basically spam, used to stuff results with local keywords. However, once Google rolled out an update that flagged these repetitive pages, they became a hindrance and fell out of favor. If you do them in a boring, repetitive, copy and paste style, then city pages can definitely damage your search ranking. However, if you make your pages unique, they can be a great way to increase your rank. This may mean you decide to simply list all your locations on your main page. Or, you can create original and interesting content for each individual city or location that you serve.
How to Optimize for Local Searches
Now that we’ve gone over why local searches and local SEO are important, let’s go over a few ways you can actually put the theory into practice.
Google My Business
Google is run by an algorithm designed to organize search results in the best, most effective, and most accessible format for its users. Because of this, they have a vested interest in having accurate and useful information about businesses. That’s where Google My Business comes in. Getting your business verified on Google My Business because it gives Google an accurate set of information that the algorithm knows is accurate and is therefore more likely to share your content with searchers.
Getting into the Local Map Pack
When you put a local search into google, you almost always get three businesses recommended at the top of the page. One of the best ways to increase traffic to your business is to get on this coveted list. Signing up for Google My Business is the first step as Google prioritizes the businesses it knows it has accurate information about. It will also help you to make sure that all of your details on Google are listed correctly. The last step is to use reviews to your advantage. Good reviews and responses are a large factor in who gets put in the Google Map Pack.
Building an Internal Linking Structure
External links are important to driving clicks, but the internal structure of your website can also be a factor in boosting your SEO. Internal links on your page not only make it easier for consumers to navigate your site, but they tell Google which of your pages is important. Combined with improving your website’s structure, a strong internal linking structure is a great way to improve rank.
NAP Citations
NAP stands for name, address, and phone number. Basically, it’s your business’s contact information that’s listed online. For optimal local SEO, your NAP should be listed on your website as well as on data aggregators that provide contact information to sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp.
If you’re not sure what your next steps should be to improve your local SEO strategy, contact Local SEO Tampa Company, for the best SEO advice and strategies in Tampa, FL.