What is Local Search?

Local search is when people look for businesses, services, or products in a specific area. For example, when someone searches for “restaurants near me” or “plumbers in Baltimore,” search engines show results based on their location.

Key parts of local search include:

  1. Google My Business (GMB): Businesses can claim their listing to appear in local search results and on Google Maps.
  2. Local SEO: Optimizing your website with local keywords and accurate location info to show up in local search.
  3. Mobile Search: Many local searches are done on mobile devices, helping people find services nearby.
  4. Local Directories: Listings on sites like Yelp or Yellow Pages can improve local visibility.
  5. Localized Content: Creating content that focuses on your area can help attract local customers.

Local search is important for small businesses to connect with customers in their area.

What does Google Local Search look like?

 

Say, for example, you were searching for Harford County Plumbing Services. The page might look like the image above, with a map and 3 local businesses. Those are local search results. Further down the page are the organic search results. Ideally, your web pages will appear in both local and organic search results.

The Importance of Optimizing with Local Intent

Let’s check out some statistics from Think With Google that show why local is so important for your small business.

  • 30% of all mobile searches have local intent.
  • 76% of people who search for something nearby on their smartphone visit a business within a day.
  • 28% of local searches for a product or service result in a purchase.
  • “Near Me” searches grew by more than 200% between 2017-2019.

What We Provide: Local SEO Services

Our SEO plans are designed to help businesses with a physical location or those serving a specific area improve their visibility in local search results. We focus on getting your business into the Google 3-Pack, the top three local listings, which include key details like hours, address, phone number, photos, and reviews.

Coverage typically ranges from 1-40 miles, depending on competition and SEO effectiveness. While it may take time to catch up with competitors who have been optimizing longer, our goal is to get your business on page 1 and ideally in the top 3. Reaching #1 boosts visibility and drives more customer traffic.

Three Main Criteria for Local Search Ranking

  • Relevance: How relevant are your products and services to the search query?
  • Distance: How close are you to the person searching?
  • Prominence: Do you have a lot of good reviews? More reviews and 5-star ratings may place you higher. So, it will be listed in local directories.

Maximize Local Visibility with Local SEO Services

Running a small business is demanding, and marketing budgets can be tight. One of the most cost-effective ways to attract local customers is through local SEO services.

Local SEO helps businesses with physical locations or defined service areas rank higher in local search results. By optimizing your website for local keywords and building local citations and reviews, you can increase your visibility and attract more customers searching for your services nearby.