What is Local SEO and Google My Business?

Local SEO (or local search engine optimization) is a strategy aimed at increasing your business's visibility in geo-targeted searches. It is much more than a simple SEO strategy; it is an open door to success for businesses wishing to position themselves in front of their target audience, exactly where they are. At the heart of this strategy is Google My Business (GMB, now known as Google Business Profile), a powerful tool that highlights your business in local search results and on Google Maps. To understand how this alliance can transform your online presence, contact us now.

Local SEO is not a one-size-fits-all strategy, but it is particularly beneficial for certain industries that target geographically defined markets. Here are some types of businesses for which local SEO is often crucial:

  1. Local Stores: Grocery stores, pharmacies, and boutiques serving local communities
  2. Service Providers: Plumbers, electricians, and other tradesmen offering home services in specific areas
  3. Medical and Dental Offices: Health professionals offering services in a given region benefit from being easily findable online
  4. Fitness Centers and Gyms: These establishments generally attract a regular local clientele
  5. Tourism and Hospitality Businesses: Hotels, travel agencies, and tourist attractions also benefit from local SEO to attract visitors
  6. Local B2B Businesses: Even if the product or service is intended for businesses, proximity can be a deciding factor
  7. Schools and Educational Institutions: Private schools, training centers, and even universities can use local SEO to attract students
  8. And many more…
Contact us to shine locally

Here are the tips for good local SEO

Boost your visibility and attract more local customers

There are several key reasons why this approach is so important in today's digital world.

  1. Increase Visibility in Geo-Targeted Searches
    Local SEO allows your business to appear at the top of search results when potential customers conduct location-specific searches. This means that if someone searches for a "recruitment agency in Montreal," your establishment is more likely to be discovered.
  2. Target Nearby Customers
    Given that 76% of people conducting a local search visit a business the same day, local SEO effectively targets customers most likely to convert. This is particularly relevant for local stores, medical offices, and other establishments benefiting from a local clientele.
  3. Stand Out Among Local Competitors
    By optimizing your local SEO, you stand out in a sea of competitors by only competing with businesses in your region. This reduces competition to a more manageable level, allowing your business to stand out more easily.
  4. Improve User Experience
    An optimized Google My Business profile, for example, provides valuable and up-to-date information to potential customers, such as opening hours, address, and reviews. This improves user experience and increases the likelihood of conversion.
  5. Access Valuable Statistics
    Tools like Google My Business offer insights into how customers interact with your business online, allowing you to adjust your local SEO strategy for better results.
  6. Build Trust and Credibility
    Positive reviews and a well-managed online presence reinforce consumer trust in your brand. Responding professionally to reviews, whether positive or negative, shows that you value your customers.
  7. Increase Qualified Traffic to Your Site
    By being more visible in local searches, you attract more qualified traffic to your website, which increases the chances of conversion.
  8. Better Return on Investment
    Local SEO is a cost-effective marketing strategy. By targeting customers most likely to buy from you, you optimize your advertising spend for a better return on investment.

Your Google My Business profile is much more than a simple entry in an online directory; it is your virtual business card, your invitation to discovery for potential customers. In just a few clicks, you can share essential information about your business, from your address and opening hours to your products and services.

For an impactful online presence, start now by creating your GMB profile. And to go further in this process, contact us for tailored support.

Optimizing your Google My Business profile is a fundamental pillar of your local SEO strategy. At Rablab, we offer a comprehensive approach, including:

  • Consistent NAP: Ensure your contact details (Name, Address, Phone number) are consistent and up-to-date across all platforms.
  • Category Selection: Carefully select the most relevant categories for your business to optimize your ranking in search results.
  • Photos and Logo: Showcase your business with high-quality images and a distinctive logo.
  • Products/Services: Present your offerings attractively to encourage customers to choose your business.
  • Videos: Use the power of video to captivate your audience and present your business in a lively and authentic manner.
  • Customer Reviews: Diligently manage customer reviews and respond professionally to reinforce audience trust.
  • Google Posts: Share news, special offers, and events to keep your audience engaged.
  • Contact Page: Make it easy to get in touch by highlighting the ways to communicate with your business.
  • City Pages: Create dedicated pages for each served city for a more precise geo-targeted approach.
  • Profile Verification: It’s basic, but many businesses overlook this important step.

With Rablab as your partner, every aspect of your GMB profile is carefully optimized to maximize your local visibility and attract more customers to your business.

Essential strategies and tools

Managing local SEO for multiple locations may seem like a daunting task, but with a structured approach, it is entirely feasible. The challenge here is to maintain consistency while tailoring your strategy to each locality.

Each location has its own particularities: local competition, consumer behavior, and even differences in local search algorithms.

Google My Business (GMB) is an indispensable tool for any local business. Not only does it allow you to list your business on Google Maps, but it also provides valuable statistics on how customers interact with your business page.

To make your business shine even more, it is also important to be listed in web directories and to build your reputation by obtaining citations and backlinks. This is also a string to our bow at Rablab, which we can put at your service.

team-faq-rabacademie

Steps to GMB Optimization with Rablab

A proven process for optimizing your Google My Business listing

With Rablab by your side, you benefit from personalized support at every stage of your local SEO strategy. We follow a proven process to optimize your Google My Business listing:

01
Initial Discussion and Qualification

Understanding your needs and goals is the first step in developing a tailored strategy.

02
Internal Audit

Deeply analyze your current online presence to identify improvement opportunities.

03
Onboarding

Obtain all necessary access, including to your GMB, to start working efficiently.

04
Kickoff

Present our overall strategy, highlighting the importance of local SEO in your online success.

05
Initial Work

Focus on priority actions to achieve tangible results quickly, applying the 80/20 principle.

06
Monthly Optimizations

Closely monitor your local SEO performance and make regular adjustments to maintain your positioning and continue growing.

Testimonials

Hundreds of local companies have seen the Rablab difference

    EN - Services
    FAQ

    Frequently Asked Questions About Local SEO and GMB

    Local SEO refers to all techniques aimed at improving a business's visibility in geo-targeted search results, particularly on platforms like Google Maps.

    To succeed in local SEO, it is essential to optimize your Google My Business profile, use geo-targeted keywords, create relevant content for your local audience, and obtain backlinks from quality local sites.

    Creating a Google My Business profile is simple: go to the GMB platform, follow the instructions to add your business information, and then verify your establishment to make it visible in search results.

    To effectively target with local SEO, use keywords specific to your region, optimize your Google My Business profile with detailed information about your location and services, and create relevant content for your local audience.

    To create a Google My Business account, log in to your Google account, go to the GMB page, and follow the instructions to add your business information, then verify your establishment to activate your profile.

    To delete photos on Google My Business, go to the Photos section of your profile, select the photo you want to delete, and then click on the delete option to remove the image from your profile.

    Creating a second Google My Business profile is generally reserved for businesses with multiple physical locations. In this case, create a separate profile for each location by following the same process as for the first profile.

    Google My Business is a free service offered by Google, so there is no cost associated with creating or managing a GMB profile.

    Once you have created and verified your Google My Business profile, it should be activated and visible in local search results within a few days.

    Google My Business claims millions of users worldwide, making it one of the most popular online presence management tools for businesses.

    In addition to optimizing your Google My Business profile, you can also work on optimizing your website for local SEO, creating localized content, proactively managing customer reviews, and implementing geo-targeted backlinking strategies to strengthen your online presence.

    6570 Esplanade Ave suite 100, Montreal,
    QC H2V 4L5
    Menu
    crossmenuarrow-down