Near me searches on Google is when someone searches online to find local businesses or services that are close to their current location.
We all use our mobile devices to search for things near us at any given moment. Getting found in “near me” searches is essential for local businesses looking to attract nearby customers.
People might add near me to their search or they might add the actual location name.
For example, pizza near Petoskey would help people in the Petoskey area at that moment find restaurants that serve pizza. They’ll see a map and pins of local businesses that rank well for the keyword pizza.
Google also uses their phone location to provide search results that are geographically relevant.
To get your small business found, the following local SEO strategies should help you improve your visibility in local searches.
Google Business Profile Optimization
- Claim and optimize your Google Business Profile listing.
- Make sure your business name, address, phone number, and business hours are accurate.
- Choose relevant categories for your business, and provide a detailed business description.
- Add high-quality photos of your business, products, and services.
Local Keywords
- Use local keywords in your website content.
- Include the city, neighborhood, or region you serve in your meta tags, headers, and content.
- Create location-specific landing pages on your website.
Mobile Optimization
- Optimize your website for mobile devices.
- Google often prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in near me searches since most searches are on smartphones.
Local Link Building
- Build local backlinks by partnering with other local businesses, joining local chambers of commerce, and participating in community events.
- Encourage customers to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile listing. Positive reviews can improve your local search rankings.
Online Directories
- Get your business listed on relevant online directories and industry-specific directories.
- Maintain consistency in your business information that’s listed on every directory.
Local Structured Data Markup
- Add local structured data markup to your website content. This helps search engines understand your business information and can improve your chances of appearing in local search results.
Content Localization
- Create localized content that caters to the interests and needs of your local audience.
- Include local landmarks, events, and topics in your content to make it more relevant to your community.
Social Media Presence
- Be active on social media platforms, especially those popular in your local area.
- Share local events, promotions, and community engagement activities.
Consistent NAP Citations
- Be consistent in how your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) appear on all of your online profiles.
- Inaccurate or inconsistent information can negatively impact your local search rankings.
Optimizing for near me searches involves implementing local search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to ensure that your business appears prominently in the local search results when users perform these location-specific queries.
Remember: It takes time for a search engine like Google to recognize and reflect changes in local search rankings. Be patient and consistent when it comes to working to improve your local online presence.
