What is your approach to Local SEO, and how does it differ from general SEO?

My approach to Local SEO focuses on optimizing a business’s online presence for local customers. While general SEO targets a broad audience, Local SEO is designed to reach potential customers in a specific geographic area. This involves optimizing your website, local citations, and Google Business Profile to ensure your business appears in local search results, especially for location-based searches like "plumber near me" or "best coffee shop in [city]."

How do you identify and target the most relevant local keywords for your clients?

I use a combination of tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and local search data to find keywords that people are using in your area. I also analyze competitors to see what’s working for them and use Google’s autocomplete and "People Also Ask" features to discover hyper-local search terms. Once I identify these keywords, I integrate them strategically into your website content, meta tags, and other local assets to improve relevance.

What types of businesses do you typically work with for Local SEO, and what are some of their common goals?

I primarily work with small to medium-sized businesses such as restaurants, law firms, plumbers, real estate agents, and service-based companies that rely on local customers. The common goal is to increase foot traffic to their physical location or generate leads for local services. Most of my clients want to rank higher in local search results and Google Maps so that potential customers can easily find them when searching for related services nearby.

How do you help businesses improve their visibility on Google Maps and local search results?

I focus on optimizing the Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) to ensure it's complete and accurate with optimized descriptions, categories, photos, and more. I also encourage clients to collect reviews from happy customers, as reviews are a significant ranking factor. Additionally, I ensure the website is optimized with local keywords, schema markup, and other technical elements that signal to search engines the business is relevant to local searches.

What role do reviews and online reputation management play in your Local SEO strategy?

Reviews are critical for Local SEO because they not only influence potential customers but also signal to search engines that a business is trustworthy and relevant. I help businesses implement strategies to ask for reviews from satisfied customers and manage their online reputation by responding to both positive and negative reviews professionally. Consistent reviews can significantly improve visibility in local search results.

What is the long-term value of investing in Local SEO for small and medium-sized businesses?

The long-term value of Local SEO is immense. Once your business gains visibility in local search results and builds a strong online reputation, it becomes easier for local customers to find and trust your business. This can lead to more consistent foot traffic, higher lead generation, and ultimately more revenue. The best part is that unlike paid advertising, the benefits of Local SEO compound over time, offering sustained growth as long as the strategy is maintained.