How important is local SEO?
When a potential customer conducts a search, they may (or may not) type in their location. Whether or not they do this hardly matters anymore. Often that same searcher will have enabled Google to pinpoint their location. Because of this, local businesses will show up on top. This can be at the top of the search results or in a dedicated list of nearby business profiles.
Still not convinced about the importance of local SEO in making sure you end up on the first page?
These local SEO statistics might just change your mind:
> If customers search for something local, 72% of them will visit the store within five miles of where they are.
> Stores that used location-based, in-store mobile coupons saw a 9,916% increase in their sales. That means they found you online, you rewarded them with a coupon at checkout, and they became a customer.
> Mobile-friendly sites make customers want to connect. 61% of customers who find you on a mobile phone will contact you.
> Local SEO statistics include the 70 to 80% of people who completely ignore paid advertisements in favour of the first five organic search results (i.e., your local business).
> Google changes its search ranking algorithm between 500 and 600 times a year, making local search (the kind that specifies a location) even more effective.
> 87% of people with a smartphone use it to search at least once a day.
> Combine #6 with the fact that a new study found that people in the U.S. look at their phones an average of 80 times a day when they go on vacation, with some people virtually glued to the screen (around 300 times a day). Chances are good they are searching more than once a day, and on vacation they are looking for local businesses. Like yours.
> Google Maps is utilised by 86% of people to look up a local business.
> Once they find you, almost 80% of location-based searches culminate in a purchase at the business’s brick-and-mortar location.
> Location-based searches turn into same-day sales 18% of the time.
> Google reports a 900% increase in the use of “near me/close by” searches. These two search terms are prime real estate for local SEO.
> There’s also a 500% increase in “near me” searches that also include the words “can I buy” or “buy.” According to Google search statistics, 2019 means your customers are actually looking for you right now.
> Of all of the three and a half billion daily Google searches, 46% of them are local.
> If the first position of a local listing gets 30% of the clicks (or just a little less, depending on your source), local listings that come after the sixth ranking get less than 2% of clicks. And, that’s for search results that are still on the first page.
> There is good news for local listings who highlight their reviews: 97% of consumers are influenced by reviews, with 88% trusting online reviews to make a purchase or contact a service.
> For smartphone users who want ads, 67% of them want them customized to their zip code and city.
> 61% of people open to ads want them to be even more specific – to their pinpointed location.
> Why so much ado about mobile devices? Mobile devices now account for over half of all searches online. So while your website needs to be optimised, your mobile site must be fast and responsive, too.
> Whether on a smartphone or a desktop, Google’s local pack often appears in the top three search results when a location is specified.
> Mobile searches want the world, and they want it now. Searches using the term “now” or “today” have increased by 150%.
> By 2020, it’s predicted that 50% of all searches will be voice-activated. Whether searchers are on a smartphone or using voice search, optimising for both can point locals to your shop or practice without even lifting a finger.
“Where to buy” searches have grown by 85% since 2015. This local SEO stat means you have customers right down the street who want to walk in the store and buy your product (instead of just ordering online).
> 67% of customers prefer businesses that tailor ads and content to their location.
> Almost the same number (66%) of customers actually purchase from a business that targets their location.
Local SEO statistics don’t mean much if you have no idea where to start. If need a company that has real-world experience using data-driven strategies to improve your company’s online presence, get in touch with Boost Medical today.
Our SEO managers will use their expert knowledge, industry insight and range of tools to understand your company from a local business perspective. They will analyse the competitive landscape, capture accurate baseline information about the performance of your current marketing strategies, evaluate your website & local online presence, and formulate a strategy to increase your SEO performance.
