We often discuss the varying levels of importance for different types of businesses to utilize different marketing strategies. Something we always recommend for smaller, local businesses – regardless of the industry – is SEO. Though many business owners view it as a way for larger companies to compete for the top spot, SEO is an incredibly effective tool to capitalize on consumers looking for things in specific geographic locations. Here are a few tips for our Milwaukee area business owners to help you implement an effective strategy.
Get those local directories up and running.
Some people look to the same source for reviews and info about businesses in their area – things like Yelp, YP, Google Businesses, etc. A great way to improve your local SEO rankings is by making sure you’ve set up and updated local directories so the information is up-to-date and relevant. The key is making sure your website is listed on the directory so it links back to you!
For some industries, it pays look into the more targeted directories too. Sites like Angie’s List, TripAdvisor, Better Business Bureau, Home Advisor, or Houzz are worth looking into if they’re relevant to your business.
Don’t guess your keywords, research them!
One of the most important elements of SEO is keywords. Though “keyword stuffing” is a thing of the past, knowing what potential customers are searching for can help you better tailor your content towards their searches. After all, website traffic from organic searches is the best way to boost your overall ranking.
Take some time to get to know the Keyword Planner Tool in Google Adwords. Try different combinations, orders, and configurations of search terms and phrases, and see which ones have the highest volume and lowest competition. You can also check out alternate configurations suggested by Google – they’ll likely be helpful.
Ask for reviews!
Unfortunately, it’s generally the people who have poor experiences that are most likely to leave a review for a business online. This is (hopefully) not the norm, so it won’t paint the right picture for you! Don’t be afraid to ask your existing customers to leave a friendly review if they’ve had a good experience. Places with more reviews are more likely to rank better.
If you’re struggling to optimize your website and boost localized SEO rankings for your small business in Milwaukee, don’t fret – we can help! Get in touch with us today to schedule a complimentary consultation. We’re here for you!