DO YOU WANT TO RANK HIGHER ON GOOGLE?
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Local SEO is becoming increasingly important for businesses looking to rank higher in search results and attract more customers. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll discuss the top 7 local SEO ranking factors for 2023, based on data collected by Darren Shaw. We’ll break down these factors in plain English, making it easy for business owners to understand and implement the necessary steps to optimize their online presence.
1. Google Business Profile (GBP) Signals:
The most important ranking factor in local SEO is your Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business). A well-optimized GBP can significantly improve your local search rankings. Make sure you fill out your profile correctly and completely, including accurate business information, images, and service details. To help you optimize your GBP, consider using a cheat sheet or other resources available online.
2. On-Page Signals:
Your website plays a crucial role in both local pack rankings (Google Maps) and organic search rankings. Ensure your website has relevant content, proper keyword usage, and appropriate metadata to improve your local SEO efforts. Create a dedicated page for each service you offer, as this can help you rank for specific search terms related to those services.
3. Review Signals:
Positive Google reviews can greatly influence your local search rankings. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and respond to both positive and negative feedback professionally.
4. Link Signals:
Backlinks, or links from other websites to your site, can help improve your local SEO. Focus on obtaining quality backlinks from authoritative websites in your industry or niche.
5. Behavioral Signals:
Google considers user behavior on your website and GBP when determining rankings. To improve behavioral signals, create engaging content that encourages users to spend more time on your site, watch videos, and read reviews.
6. Citation Signals:
Citations are mentions of your business on other websites, such as Facebook, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau. While not as important as they once were, citations still play a role in local SEO. Ensure your business information is consistent and accurate across all citation sources.
7. Personalization:
Google takes into account a user’s location and search history when determining local search rankings. Although you have limited control over this factor, optimizing your website and GBP can help improve your visibility to users in your service area.
Website Optimization Tips:
To help improve your local SEO, consider implementing the following website optimization strategies:
- Create dedicated pages for each service you offer
- Use internal linking to connect related pages on your site
- Include geographic keywords in your content, such as city names or service areas
- Publish quality content that answers common customer questions and provides valuable information
- Ensure your content is human-edited, even if you use AI tools like ChatGPT to generate content
Other Ranking Factors:
In addition to optimizing your website, consider these off-site factors that can influence your local SEO:
- Choose the best Google category and subcategories for your business
- Include relevant keywords in your GBP business title (only if it’s your actual business name)
- Ensure your physical address is accurate and consistent across all platforms
- Consider proximity to the city center or other relevant geographic locations
Local SEO is a critical component of your overall digital marketing strategy. By focusing on the top 7 ranking factors for 2023 and implementing the website optimization tips provided in this guide, you can improve your local search rankings and attract more customers to your business. Stay informed about the latest SEO trends and best practices to maintain a strong online presence in an ever-changing digital landscape.