Search page ranking plays a significant role in local businesses. These days, business owners struggle with one very common, but unavoidable obstacle, which is competition. The business world is a dog-eat-dog world and as a local business owner, it’s crucial to be the biggest dog in town. Competing with companies that have auto-generated local listings or businesses that have been in the local SEO game for years, it will be difficult to outrank them.

In this article, we would be sharing insights on some of the local SEO practices that could help you rank better in local search.

As a local business owner now is the time to start focusing on how you’re going to move your business from the bottom of SERPs (search engine result pages) to the front page using the local SEO techniques we would be discussing in this post.

[url]1. Create and optimize your local Google My Business page[/url]

The first step to take as a local business owner is to create a Google my business page. As a business owner, whether or not you own a website does not matter as far as Google my business listing is concerned. However, this does not overrule the importance of having an online presence (website). In the event that you have not created Google my business page, the first step you need to take is setting your profile. You can visit Google to set up your listing.

Once you’ve been able to set it up, you ought to optimize your page by following these basic steps.

a. Add a description of your business that spells out what you do and the type of services that you render. Secondly,

b. Select the right category for your business

c. Add a phone number and your business address

d. Upload quality profile picture/logo that represents what you do

e. Get real reviews from clients or customers as the case may be

f. Upload photographs or videos displaying your work environment or behind the scenes

2. Online User Reviews

Reviews are very important. They are a local pack ranking factor that allows your listing to stand out. If you can implore your satisfied customers to leave a review for you as a thank you for a positive experience, it can go a long way than almost any other local SEO tactic. Not only does the review help you rank better, but it also helps your result take up more real position on the SERPs. This is a strategy to employ for you to outrank your competitors.

3. List your business on Local Directories

Listing your business on local directories like Finelib sort of gives your business credibility and makes you stand out amongst your competitors. This approach can guarantee the accessibility and consistency of your professional resource’s data over a bunch of outside sources. Google and other web search tools always examine these destinations to build up more grounded comprehension of the nearby web and your business.

See also best digital marketing tips for local businesses in 2020

4. Engage with Social Media platforms

As a business owner, you can not underestimate the power of social media for both small and medium scale enterprises. Social networking sites play a significant role in local business SERPs. The more proactive your online networking methodology is, the higher the probability your pages will draw in adherents – and show up inside inquiry.

5. Create Local Content

If you are in a niche market, it is advisable to create content catered towards your niche. One important thing to keep in mind throughout your content development is intent. What do you intend to accomplish with every piece of content you produce? As a local business, tying your content into your business is ideal. Remember, if you want to use the content as a tool to drive local traffic then you have to make it useful and local.

Source: https://dsmcnigeria.com/5-local-seo-tricks-for-local-businesses/

Best post ever... I'm a digital marketer from Port Harcourt and this is the same trick I use