For most small businesses, local search placement will determine your levels of traffic, engagement and ultimately, your sales figures. Consumers are relying on Google and other search engines more and more, with visibility and reputation determining if they shop with you or with a competitor. To get a clearer view of your business’ local SEO footprint, take our self assessment today.
It’s Time to Conduct a Local Business SEO Audit
This part of the online presence self assessment is focused on a business’ place in search results and, more specifically, Google. But keep in mind, it’s also important to apply this process to other search engines like Bing and DuckDuckGo.
Start by conducting a Google search for the main services the business offers in the city the business is located in. You can then answer the following questions based on the data you uncover.
5 Questions for Assessing a Business’ Local SEO Footprint
1. How does your business compare to the competition?
Analyzing your performance compared to the competition will give you a good baseline to begin from. As many searchers won’t look beyond the first few search results, if you can’t gain more visibility than your competitors, you will lose out on a lot of business. However, even poorly performing websites can make quick improvements by adjusting their SEO strategy.
2. Are your business’ ratings higher or lower than the competition?
Check the local visibility of your Google Business Profile (GBP) and make a note of the ratings. If you don’t yet have the search visibility you’d like to see, lower ratings may be holding you back. Google wants to show the best quality websites and businesses, so they naturally take review scores into account.
3. Does your business have more or fewer reviews than the competition?
The number of reviews is a useful gauge for determining if your processes are working. If your competitors are getting vast amounts of feedback, you can assume they have a streamlined process for getting customers to leave a response. And yes, the number of total reviews can make a difference – 69% of consumers think the total number of reviews for a business is important.
4. How often is your business getting new reviews?
The importance of gaining positive reviews indicates you cannot risk leaving it to chance. Developing a system that simplifies leaving a review, one that encourages and thanks consumers, will ensure a steady flow of feedback. The process doesn’t need to be too complicated – it can involve messaging customers, providing direct links to relevant platforms and of course, responding to client reviews.
5. How visible is the business online?
An established business will have multiple positions in search results. If you have an optimized Google Business Profile, you should expect to see it in the local pack and/or maps. Similarly, your website should have visibility on the first page of organic search results. In addition, when you search for your business check for a Facebook or LinkedIn profile, and if directory listings have more prominence than your website, take note.
We Can Help Improve Your Local SEO Footprint
There’s even more to local visibility than what we shared above. By taking this self assessment you’ll be on your way to understanding your business’ place in the local ecosystem.
If you haven’t completed the assessments outlined in Part 1 through 4 of this series, take action today to get a better sense of your business’ overall online presence. The components in our self assessment can help you create the ultimate online presence for your business.
Does your business need assistance with local search visibility? At Rocks Digital, we can help improve your search placement to deliver more traffic and engagement. Call (214) 989-7549 or request a local SEO evaluation today.
Online Presence Self Assessment Quick Links
Assessing Your Website for Viability – Part 1
Assessing Your Google Business Profile for Local Visibility – Part 2
Assessing Your Business’ Online Reputation – Part 3
Assessing Your Business’ Social Media Presence – Part 4
Assessing Your Business’ Local SEO Footprint – Part 5 (You are here!)
