The future of digital marketing is here and it’s time to make sure your local business isn’t left behind. As the world continues to experience the ripple effects of the pandemic, companies in 2023 will likely find themselves facing a challenging economic climate. Local search engine optimization (SEO) has proven to be an effective approach for small to medium-sized businesses looking to stay competitive, bring in new customers, improve local search rankings, and be mindful of budget.
Local SEO services offer multiple advantages that are often overlooked by businesses that don’t understand their power. From improving website visibility on search engines to driving more qualified leads, there are plenty of benefits that come with investing time and effort into a local SEO campaign.
But it will take a lot of work if done in-house.
As you seek ways to keep your operations up and running, having an agency and their local SEO experts to help with the initiatives may just be the lifeline your business needs to succeed.
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Local SEO vs. National SEO
Local SEO and national SEO are two different approaches to search engine optimization, each targeting a specific geographic scope. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between the two:
Local SEO
Local SEO focuses on optimizing a website’s visibility and ranking in local search results. It is primarily aimed at businesses serving a specific local area or location. The goal of local SEO is to attract customers within this region by targeting location-specific keywords and optimizing online presence on platforms like Google My Business, local directories, and map listings. Local SEO tactics may include:
- optimizing the website’s content,
- meta tags, and
- schema markup to enhance local relevance.
National SEO
On the other hand, national SEO aims to reach a broader audience across an entire country or multiple regions. It focuses on optimizing a website’s visibility and ranking in search results for keywords with national relevance. National SEO strategies involve:
- Targeting broader and more competitive keywords.
- Building high-quality backlinks.
- Optimizing website content to appeal to a larger audience.
National SEO often requires a more comprehensive and long-term approach due to increased competition on a national scale.
The choice between local and national SEO depends on the nature and goals of your business. If you primarily serve a local audience and rely on local customers, local SEO is essential to ensure your business appears prominently in local search results. However, if your business operates on a national or international level and aims to attract customers from various regions, national SEO strategies will be more appropriate.
A business will often engage both local and national SEO for different products and offerings or for a more comprehensive SEO strategy.
19 Reasons To Hire a Local SEO Agency
Local SEO takes strong technical knowledge and experience to develop effective strategies that will produce measurable results. Local set ranking factors can be vast and complex, requiring deep knowledge of the industry.
Here are 19 reasons why working with a seasoned agency is the right choice for local businesses:
1. It’s a long-term strategy
Unlike other marketing channels, SEO requires considerable time and work to produce the desired results. With local SEO, you will be able to build up local search visibility over time — and it’s worth it because the longer you invest in your campaign, the better your chances are of hitting success with organic traffic, link building, and additional benefits. The effects of your campaigns will also continue to be felt for months and even years after you’ve completed the process. SEO is not a quick fix, but having the help of a local SEO company will ensure that your campaigns are successful and sustainable in the long run.
2. Boost your business’s online reach
By optimizing your website, local listings, and citations for local search, you can make sure more people find your business online. This means more potential customers and higher conversion rates. An agency can work with you to determine the right keyword research and phrases to target, as well as other search engine factors to focus on that can help your business gain exposure on the search engine results pages.
3. Get valuable reporting and local audience data
Having access to accurate and timely data is essential if you want to make informed decisions. An experienced local SEO agency can provide you with valuable reporting, which will help you make smarter choices about your marketing strategy and hit return on investment (ROI) targets. They can also provide you with local audience data, so you know exactly who is visiting your website.
4. Keep up with the ever-changing best practices of SEO
Local SEO is a constantly evolving field, and the techniques that worked last year may no longer be effective. That’s why it’s important to work with one of the best local SEO companies that remain up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices. They’ll be able to help you adjust your local SEO strategy when needed, so you can remain competitive.
5. Attract local customers
A local SEO agency can create campaigns that are tailored to target a specific geographic area. This will help you attract customers from the areas where your business operates, as well as increase online visibility in the local vicinity.
6. Save money by outsourcing local SEO
Managing a local SEO campaign can be time-consuming and expensive. An agency can provide an efficient solution at a fraction of the cost compared to hiring an in-house team. By delegating this task to local SEO experts, you can save on overhead costs while still getting the best results.
7. Get an optimized Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is an essential part of local SEO. It allows you to claim your business and make sure the information listed is accurate and up-to-date. This information includes business location, hours of operation, contact information, customer reviews, and more. An agency can help you create an optimized profile, as well as manage it to make sure it’s always performing at its best alongside local directory listings.
8. Work with the professionals
When it comes to SEO, it pays to work with professionals. An agency can provide you with expert advice and guidance, as well as expertise in the ever-changing landscape of local SEO. They can also help you avoid costly mistakes, faux pas, and other “no-nos” that could harm your business’s visibility and rankings on search engines.
9. It’s a cost-effective marketing strategy
Local SEO is a cost-effective way to drive more traffic to your website, as well as attract local customers. The results can be seen almost immediately and are usually long-lasting. Compared to other marketing channels, SEO is often more affordable and can produce higher returns on investment in the long run.
10. Rank higher in Google results
Having a high ranking in Google search results (or any other search engine) is essential for any business. A Local SEO service provider can help you achieve this by optimizing your website, local listings, and citations for local SEO. This will improve your visibility in search results, resulting in more website visitors and (in theory) better conversion rates.
11. Get more online reviews for your business
Online reviews are critical to building trust with potential customers. An agency can help you get more reviews for your business, which will strengthen your reputation and increase trust among customers. The more reviews your business has, the more likely customers are to choose you over a competitor.
12. Attract customers through valuable content marketing
Content marketing is an effective way to attract customers and build relationships with them. An agency can help you create content that resonates with your audience, as well as optimize it for local searches. This will help you drive more traffic to your website, build trust with customers, and ultimately increase revenue.
13. Get professional link-building services
Link building refers to the process of acquiring links from other websites to yours. This is an important part of SEO and can help you rank higher in search results. However, the process of getting backlinks to your site requires expertise, local SEO tools, and foresight because quality links that are relevant to your business can be a challenge to acquire. Having an expert SEO agency on your side can be invaluable in this regard.
14. Build a local reputation
By utilizing local SEO, you can increase the visibility of your business in a specific location. This will help you build a reputation as an established business in the area and attract customers who are looking for the services you offer. An agency can help you take advantage of this by optimizing your website and local listings. They may also help with establishing your social media presence and using SEO-friendly content to boost your brand within the area.
15. Keep your website optimized and accessible
An agency can help you make sure your website is always optimized and accessible. This means they can set up technical SEO, monitor your website’s performance, optimize page speed and mobile usability, and more. This will ensure that customers can find your website quickly and easily, in addition to helping ensure their user experience is positive.
16. Stay ahead of the competition
A professional local SEO agency can help you stay ahead of the competition by monitoring them and looking for ways to improve your own local SEO strategies based on competitor research. This includes tracking their rankings and organic search visibility, as well as analyzing their content and keywords to see what works for them. This will help you stay in the know and ensure your business remains competitive in the local market.
17. Reach higher-quality customers
Getting plenty of website clicks and leads is one thing, but getting high-quality, qualified leads is what you should really be after. An agency can help you do this by optimizing your website for local SEO and targeting particular keywords that will attract customers who are more likely to convert. In this way, you don’t waste time on leads that are unlikely to result in sales.
18. Reduce overall marketing and operating costs
Hiring an agency to manage your local search optimization can actually help you to reduce your overall marketing and operating expenses. This is because they are experts in their field and can get the job done quicker and more efficiently than someone without SEO experience. In addition, traditional marketing methods can be costly. SEO addresses this issue by helping you to target relevant customers and get better results for less money.
19. Get relevant citations and listings
Citations and listings are important for a local SEO strategy. An agency can help you get more of them by submitting your business information to relevant websites. This will help you to rank higher in local search results and attract more organic traffic from potential customers. It may also help your business appear in Google Maps, making it easier for customers to find you.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s normal to have questions about the complex world of local SEO. Here are answers to some of the more commonly asked questions.
Can I Do Local SEO Myself?
Yes, it is possible to perform local SEO yourself if you have the time, resources, and knowledge required. Local SEO involves a range of time-intensive tasks, many of which require a specific skill set.
So while you can handle local SEO yourself, it’s worth noting that it can be stressful, intensive, and requires staying updated with the latest SEO best practices. If you have limited resources or prefer to focus on your core business activities, hiring a professional local SEO agency may be a more efficient option.
So, How Much Do Local SEO Agencies Charge?
The cost of local SEO services can vary depending on several factors, such as the scope of the project, the competitiveness of the target market, the size of your website, and the specific services included. Local SEO agencies typically offer a range of pricing models, including monthly retainers, fixed-price packages, or hourly rates.
Here are some common pricing structures for local SEO services:
Monthly Retainers
Many local SEO agencies work on a monthly retainer basis, where you pay a fixed fee each month for ongoing optimization and maintenance. The cost can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per month, depending on the complexity and goals of your project.
Fixed-Price Packages
Some agencies offer predefined local seo packages that include specific services. These packages often have tiered pricing based on the number of keywords or locations. Prices for fixed-price packages can range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars.
Hourly Rates
In some cases, local SEO agencies may charge an hourly rate for their services instead of local set packages. Hourly rates can vary significantly based on the agency’s expertise, location, and reputation. Typical rates can range from $75 to $200 per hour or more.
It’s essential to carefully evaluate the services included in each pricing option and consider the local SEO company’s reputation, experience, and track record before making a decision. Additionally, keep in mind that investing in professional local SEO services can yield excellent long-term benefits and is often worth the investment.
How Does Local SEO Stack Up Against Other Marketing Services?
Local SEO offers several advantages compared to other marketing services, particularly for businesses targeting a local audience. Here are some key points to consider when comparing the best local seo services with other marketing approaches:
Cost-Effective
Local SEO is often more cost-effective than traditional advertising methods, such as print ads or television commercials. With local SEO, you can focus your efforts on reaching people actively searching for local products or services, increasing the likelihood of converting leads into customers.
Targeted Reach
Local SEO allows you to target specific geographic areas and reach customers who are actively seeking businesses like yours within their local community. This targeted approach helps you connect with the right audience at the right time, improving the chances of driving relevant traffic and generating leads.
Long-Term Results
Unlike paid advertising campaigns that stop delivering results once you stop investing, local SEO efforts can have long-lasting effects. Optimizing your website and building a strong online presence allows you to maintain a steady flow of organic traffic and leads over time.
Online Visibility
Local SEO improves your visibility in local search results, including Google Maps and other directories. This increased visibility helps potential customers find your business when they search for relevant keywords or browse local listings.
Trust and Reputation
Actively managing your online reviews and providing excellent customer service builds trust and credibility. Local business SEO services help craft a positive reputation within your local market.
While local SEO offers significant advantages for businesses targeting local customers, it’s important to note that it’s not a standalone marketing solution. Combining local SEO campaigns with other marketing strategies, such as social media marketing, content marketing, and paid advertising, can further amplify your brand’s reach and visibility, providing a comprehensive marketing approach. The ideal marketing mix will depend on your specific business goals and target audience.
Working With a Local SEO Agency: What To Expect
Working with a local SEO agency can be incredibly beneficial for businesses looking to increase their visibility and attract more customers. By optimizing your website, social media presence, and other online profiles, an agency can help you get the most out of your digital marketing efforts.
So what does working with a local SEO marketing agency look like? Here are some of the things to expect:
- Detailed website audits/reports
- Analysis of competitors and their content/SEO strategies
- Creation and optimization of high-quality content
- Submission of business information to relevant websites
- Monitoring and optimization of website performance
- Ongoing SEO maintenance and updates
- Search engine optimization and tracking
- Social media presence and optimization
- Customer targeting with local SEO keywords
The process typically begins with an initial consultation to discuss your business goals and objectives. This will be followed by detailed website audits and reports that can help identify areas that need improvement. The agency can then work with you to create a strategy tailored to your business, which may include content creation and optimization, submission of business information to relevant websites, and ongoing SEO maintenance — as mentioned above.
2023 is the perfect time to enlist a local SEO agency for your business. With their help, you can effortlessly expand and extend your reach. A good regional agency will ensure that more customers find you through higher search engine rankings and improved visibility online. You’ll also be able to acquire high-quality leads who are interested in what you have to offer.
Working with a local SEO agency can be hugely advantageous for businesses looking to increase their visibility and reach more customers. An expert will bring the knowledge, skills, and experience that you may not have in-house.
Find the Best Local SEO Marketing Agency in 2023 With Credo
Credo is a trusted marketplace of vetted local SEO agencies and digital marketing experts. We have a network of talented professionals who specialize in all aspects of local SEO and can provide you with tailored solutions to help you succeed. We can help you find the right match for your business in terms of budget, expertise, and experience.
Our goal is to help you find the perfect marketing agency for your business objectives and specific requirements. That’s why we take a personalized approach, starting with an introductory call where we discuss every aspect of your project.
By creating a well-defined scope, we’ll be able to design an effective blueprint that helps us locate suitable providers for the job. After introducing you to these professionals through conversations, it is ultimately your decision as to who should take on the project!
Hiring a Credo Pro gives you the unique opportunity to collaborate directly with them, allowing for greater control over your desired outcomes. At Credo, we don’t intervene between clients and their Pros. Instead, it’s up to both parties to create a successful working relationship from day one!
Take advantage of our extensive agency matching expertise and get free, no-commitment introductions to certified agencies.
