Local SEO for New York City

WHAT is LOCAL SEO?

Local SEO aims to achieve a high ranking in search engines for website operators who offer products or services and have target groups and customers close to their company. The so-called “SEO Local” probably plays the most essential role in search engine optimization because a provider or a retail store is searched for as close as possible, especially regarding services, commodities, or even everyday products.

As an example, let’s take a search query for a “sushi restaurant”. It is logical, that the person searching would like to see results of corresponding restaurants in the immediate vicinity of his or her current location.

LISTED IN LOCAL SEARCH RESULTS

IMPORTANT POINTS OF LOCAL SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION

How do you define "Local SEO"? Local search engine optimization is optimizing a web presence for local search queries. It does not matter whether the user enters queries in combination with a local term or generally uses very frequently used search terms.

Because today, Google recognizes every kind of search intention: Based on the IP address or the Google+ profile, Google can find out the user's location and thus preferably shows him local search results.

GOOGLE AS A PRESENTATION PLATFORM

There are different ways to list a website in the search results in the best possible way. On the one hand, there is the option to pay for the ranking on the first page (via PPC ads). This option is called, for example, Google Adwords.

On the other hand, there is, of course, the ranking in the so-called organic search results. These are natural results, which display 10 results per page by default.

As an additional measure, there is the option of being additionally listed in the local listings with a Google+ Local entry. Google often independently creates Google+ Local entries based on the data of business directories. The company presentation can be optimized via the Google MyBusiness service. Google partly takes over listings to optimize recognition for the search.

For this purpose, the business must be verified as one's own. Google+Local Listings also provides this data in Google+Local Listings Knowledge Graph. This possibility lets you see detailed information about your search and other related options. Google Maps is also included.

Suppose you are looking for a specific location, such as a leisure attraction or sights. In that case, you will be shown various locations in the city. Detailed sections of the Google+Local listings are provided on the left side by clicking on the info boxes in the individual pins.

There is also the option that no image is displayed when clicking. Instead, a Street View image is then displayed. This happens mostly with profiles not actively maintained or partly created by Google itself. If you own the page, you can change this by managing the page in the dropdown menu.

NAP - A GREAT HELP OF LOCAL SEO

"Name", "Address" and "Phone Number", or NAP, is one of the most important points in optimization in Local SEO. The identity of the data on the different websites is of great importance. It must be identical everywhere.

Name: The name of the company- if possible, with a concretization word, also services offered can be indicated.
Address: Actual and fully specified address from all websites, social media, etc.
Phone: Consistent spelling of the phone number (the standard spelling)

Reviews, which are created through Google Places, are also important. In addition, complete information accuracy is advantageous for a good ranking on the company's page. Say photos, opening hours, etc. This should always be promoted and reviewed.

SMARTPHONE USERS ARE OFTEN THE MOST IMPORTANT CUSTOMERS

Since 2010, the mobile search has increased by 86%. If a website is optimized for mobile devices, the number of hits increases significantly. Why? The distribution of mobile websites increases as people recommend them through word-of-mouth or by showing them on-site during meetings. Ultimately, an optimized page gains more hits, clicks, and customers.

When customers browse the internet on their mobile devices, search engines prioritize showing them websites optimized for mobile viewing. This means that these customers are more likely to come across easily readable and navigable websites on their mobile devices without even realizing it. Local optimization is becoming increasingly important for companies that mainly want to address a local clientele.

ONPAGE FACTORS FOR LOCAL WEBSITES

On-page optimization helps the company increase the visibility index of the website based on location. For this, one should equip the website with local content and data. Integrating directions or Google Maps is also an important component of on-page optimization. However, the local reference should always be established. Here, the name, city, industry, or type of company/product in the URL, title, and description play a weighty role. To increase Google’s rankings, it is advantageous to stand out from the competition.

IMPORTANT CRITERIA OF LOCAL SEO

The essential components of local search engine optimization include 3 factors. The first is the on-page optimization, which is specifically geared toward mobile devices. The second is Google + Local Pages, and the most important is the so-called citations, which include entries in industry and topic-relevant directories. Of course, the relevance and quality of the directories must always be taken into account. In addition, the company data in the citations should be consistent with the company data on the website and the Google+ Local page.

GOOGLE MYBUSINESS WEBSITE

A verified Google MyBusiness website positively supports the further development of the ranking. It includes, among others, well-known services like Google Maps, Google Street View, and Google+.

This site must be maintained and complete, as well as have a consistent NAP, a detailed description, and relevant industry listings. The MyBusiness site should also include information, such as appealing photos and working hours so that Google can use the content for rankings of local searches.

WAS ARE LOCAL CITATIONS ?

Local Citations are entries and info data on business directories of a localized company. The reach of these entries in the local and thematic directories is an important factor for Google. They improve the awareness of the company in general, and they also have a positive effect on local search engine optimization. Well-known directories are of great importance. Priority is again given to both NAP and Google MyBusinessSite. These data should always be maintained via common tools. To be safe, one should inquire about various directories in advance and obtain information regarding Google’s relevance.

LOCAL SEO - SMALL HELP FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES

The goal is the optimal placement in local search results of a search engine. Different indexes of the search engines can influence the page’s ranking: examples would be images, videos, news, web pages, or even local businesses. Local search engine optimization provides smaller businesses with a cost-effective way to conduct their online marketing. The objective is like traditional SEO, which is to increase website traffic and generate more sales.

WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF SEO IN TERMS OF LOCAL SEARCH?

The importance of Google search in local services has drastically increased. Companies are trying to get better rankings in search results. For this, Google has become the most important marketing tool. If a company has more hits in search results, it can expect to reach more new prospects and turn them into loyal customers.

THE LOCATION INFLUENCES THE RANKING IN THE LOCAL SEARCH

If the user searches for a business in any city, the first providers shown to him are those related to the location. The city center has a higher influence here. If a company is located within the city, it has a better chance of being higher in the ranking than a company located outside the city center.

WHICH COMPANIES BENEFIT FROM LOCAL SEO?

Companies that mainly serve their customers directly on-site greatly benefit from local SEO. You cannot avoid appearing in local Google search results if you have a retail store in a fixed location. For this, one needs local SEO to increase the hit ratio of the local clients.

SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITIES FOR COMPANIES

Social media activities indirectly influence the ranking in local searches. The level of awareness of the company grows through likes or shares on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. However, the company’s accounts must always remain active and be maintained, as Google notices inactivity, and thus the ranking automatically decreases. Staying in the conversation and getting attention from users is what drives the company’s profile in general.

BRIEF INFORMATION ON REVIEWS

Reviews on the Internet are becoming increasingly important. Both for the company and for the potential customer. Future clients not only have the opportunity to examine the company with a first impression but also to learn about the experiences of others, or impact a company’s reputation. Users can either criticize or praise the company through their experience. Positive opinions additionally drive the page up in the ranking.

TO CONCLUDE

Local SEO is indispensable in today’s world. A confidence-inspiring impression that turns initial prospects into later customers is extremely important. Local SEO makes it easier for the user to get a first impression of the company. For this, the ranking in local search results is highly relevant.