With 2023 unfurling fresh opportunities, local SEO has emerged as a powerhouse tool to bridge the digital-physical divide, driving increased footfall to these traditional stores. Local SEO Trends to Follow in 2023 will shed light on the dynamic shifts in localised search strategies, offering insights that can turn your physical storefront into a bustling hub of activity in the digital age.
To help demystify the crossover between online and offline SEO, here are a few things you can do to boost visits and sales to both.
Voice Search Optimisation
With the increasing popularity of voice assistants like Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant, voice search is here to stay. And it's having a significant impact on local SEO. According to Google, 55% of teens and 41% of adults use voice search more than once a day.
But how can your business take advantage of this trend? One easy way is to incorporate long-tail keywords into your website content. These are far more conversational and mimic the way people speak, matching their search queries more precisely. Additionally, creating FAQ pages can help answer voice-search queries concisely.
By optimising your website for voice search and avoiding these common pitfalls, you can ensure that your business shows up in voice-assisted results, driving more footfall to your physical stores.
Mobile-Friendly User Experience
Let’s face it; the vast majority of us are always on our smartphones. In Australia, an astounding 92% of adults access the internet via mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, mobile watches and voice devices. And when it comes to local searches, mobiles account for 88%. Because of this, Google has prioritised mobile-friendliness in its ranking algorithm.
What can you do to optimise for mobile? Start by testing your website on Google's Mobile-Friendly Test. This will identify any mobile responsiveness issues and help you fix them. You should consider implementing responsive design, which adapts your website to fit different screen sizes.
You should also aim to improve page load speeds. Users expect websites to load fast, so don't give them a reason to abandon your website before they’ve even seen it. Yep. People really are that impatient nowadays.
Google My Business Optimisation
Google My Business (GMB) is a crucial tool for local businesses to improve their online presence. It allows businesses to display essential information about themselves when customers search for them on Google. By optimising your GMB listing, you can ensure that customers get the right information about your business, such as opening hours, website, and phone number.
So, what can you do to optimise your GMB listing? Start by verifying and claiming your listing. Then make sure to provide accurate and up-to-date information about your business, including address, phone number, and website. Also, make sure to monitor and respond to customer reviews regularly. Leveraging Google Posts can also help to improve your visibility in local search results.
Local Content Creation
Creating localised content is critical for attracting local customers to your business. People search online for information and inspiration, so make sure your content resonates with local customers. This can mean writing location-specific blog posts, featuring local events and businesses, and utilising local keywords.
A great way to create localised content is to pinpoint a customer pain point, offer a simple solution, and enrich it with local intelligence. For example, if you find people in your area commonly suffering from allergies, write a blog post on the best local remedies for hay fever.
By providing useful, localised content, you'll increase your reach, stimulate engagement, and create trust with your target market.
Online Reviews and Reputation Management
Online reviews hold enormous sway over customer behaviour. According to BrightLocal, 91% of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business. And 84% of people trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation.
So how can you manage your online reputation? Firstly, make sure you have a system in place to actively solicit reviews from satisfied customers. Encourage them to leave reviews on your GMB listing or other relevant online review platforms. You should also respond to both positive and negative feedback. Responding to negative reviews shows that you care about customer satisfaction and are willing to address any issues. By monitoring your online reputation regularly and responding to customer feedback promptly, you can turn your reputation management into a competitive advantage.
Schema Markup Implementation
Lastly, let’s talk about the importance of Schema Markup for local SEO. Schema Markup is structured data that enables search engines to provide more detailed and informative results in the form of rich snippets. By implementing structured data into your website, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of your business, products, and services in search engines such as Google.
Implementing schema markup can seem like a daunting task, but it's worth it. Structured data can help your business appear in rich snippets that provide more relevant and informative results for potential customers. For example, a rich snippet for a restaurant could showcase menu items, prices, review ratings, and reservation options.
Bridging The Online—offline Gap
And that's it, dear marketers! By following these top local SEO trends for 2023, you’ll be firing up more footfall to your bricks and mortar stores in no time. Remember, voice search optimisation, mobile user experience, GMB optimisation, localised content creation, online reviews management, and schema markup implementation are critical facets of local SEO that you can't ignore.
To stay ahead, start implementing these actionable tips and tricks right away. By optimising your website for local SEO, you’ll drive more targeted traffic to your physical stores, increase footfall, and stimulate growth. That's what we call a win-win solution!
From Clicks to Bricks
In the evolving landscape of digital marketing, bridging the gap between online engagement and real-world conversions is an art and a science. As boundaries blur between virtual interest and tangible transactions, there's a need for strategies that seamlessly weave both worlds.
At Talk Agency, we've perfected this blend. Our innovative local SEO approaches are designed to amplify your online presence while driving genuine foot traffic to your physical establishments.
By aligning your digital campaigns with real-world aspirations, we transform casual online browsers into loyal in-store customers. Together, let's redefine what it means to merge the virtual with the tangible and elevate your brand to unparalleled heights.
