Local SEO - 10 things to put you on the map!

Search engine optimization (SEO) is one of those terms that most businesses hate to think of.

But as much as SEO may seem confusing at times, it’s something that all businesses need to consider if they want to improve their organic reach.

Sure, print ads work, but in today’s digital age, 4 out of 5 potential customers use online search engines to find local information. Don’t miss out and read on to get your local business to the top of the search results on Google.

1: A Worthwhile Website

Before you can improve your Toronto SEO rankings, you need a solid website.

Ensure your business’s name, phone number, and physical address are displayed prominently. In order for Google to index this information properly, have these listed in text form instead of an image and use the real address instead of a P.O. Box.

Include a descriptive title and Meta description for your site. This is what users will see in your business’s search result entry on Google.

Give your site a mobile-friendly version. Studies show that 57% of users won’t recommend a business with a bad mobile site.

2: Keywords Are Key

When it comes to content, use relevant keywords in your writing and page tags. In particular, use tags relevant to your current location. For instance, if you serve ice cream on Bloor Street, include “ice cream,” “Toronto,” and “Bloor” to fit in with common search queries.

Finding the right keywords requires you to understand the kind of language your potential customers would search for. And remember, if you’re in Toronto, it pays to hire an SEO company from Toronto.

3: Backlinks Have Your Back

A backlink is essentially another website linking to yours. Backlinks play an integral role in improving SEO.

Write quality articles for your site. The attention you’ll receive from other sites can result in backlinks.

Find ways to collaborate with other businesses. For example, give a presentation detailing your industry at a nearby university and convince the school to link to your website on their website.

Have your business listed in local directories and review websites such as the Yellow Pages, Yahoo, Bing, and other local listings.

4: News Coverage for New Links

On the topic of backlinks, getting your company mentioned in a local news publication can go a long way to improving SEO. Maybe the local travel magazine would be interested in discovering the new restaurant in town?

5: The Importance of Internal Linking

An internal link occurs when two pages on the same website link to one another. Since internal links result in better SEO, improve the navigation on your website by letting blog posts and different pages link to one another. Avoid having pages linked solely from the home page.

6: Broadcasting on Google My Business

To get your business listed on Google Maps, you need to register a page on Google My Business. Statistics show that Google My Business has the highest effect on your company’s local SEO than any other factor. The service is fast and free too.

Set up a profile for your organization by providing a description, a physical address, several relevant categories, a phone number, several images (especially of your store interior), and opening hours.

The categories are important. Say for instance you have “restaurant” as one of your categories. If a user searches “restaurants near me” while in your vicinity, your business will show up in the results. Choose a small set of categories relevant to your company.

7. Building a Reputation with Reviewers

Having reviews for your business can help build trust in your consumer base and make search engines more confident in recommending your site.

Ask your customers directly to review your business. There is simply no better way to receive feedback. Email is the preferred method, as the link to review is provided upfront.

Do not write fake reviews nor incentivize positive reviews. Insincere reviews are easy to spot and damage your trustworthiness.

Scoring a valuable review from a reputable reviewer provides a great boost to your SEO in Toronto.

8: Supplementing with Social Media

While not much evidence suggests social media directly affects SEO, generating exposure on Facebook and Twitter can certainly help. Plus, it gives you a chance to back-link to your website.

9: Multiple Sites for Multiple Locations

If your local business has a handful of locations in different cities, keep a separate website for each location. Do more than just change the address; engage with each community by writing a unique website that tailors to each city’s culture, interests, and people. This strategy increases your “area of coverage” when it comes to search engine results.

10: When it’s Time to Hire an SEO Agency in Toronto

If you wish, you can outsource your SEO to a third party. Search online for various services. You can trust that the first few results are the most effective ones.

Local SEO Ten things to put you on the mapLocal SEO A worthwhile websiteLocal SEO Keywords are key Local SEO Backlinks have your backLocal SEO News coverage for new linksLocal SEO The importance of internal linkingLocal SEO Broadcasting on Google My BusinessLocal SEO Building a reputation with reviewersLocal SEO Supplementing with social mediaLocal SEO Multiple sites for multiple locationsLocal SEO When it's time to hire an SEO agency in Toronto
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