What Is Local SEO & Why Local Search Matters

Sometimes, the difference between typical organic and local SEO gets people confused. So, in this local SEO guide from seobase, we will explain; what local search is, the importance of local SEO, how it works, and what local SEO services are. In addition, how to hire a local SEO consultant from the best companies. Also, we clarify the benefits and everything you need to understand while working on your marketing strategy.

What Is Local SEO?

You may need help to define a concept with specific words for local SEO, as there is no definition of local SEO. However, there is a clear and simple concept that anyone interested in local search can understand. It improves your site so you can rank higher on the SERPs for searches focusing on a specific geographic location. Google's mission is to provide searchers with the best answer to any query. Thus, all this for Google could mean helping your Local Pack / Map Pack work listing rank higher and appear more often in response to more relevant queries. When you search for a place near your geographical location, Google algorithms detect that your target is local. Thus, Map Pack results will appear prominently on the first page of SERPs, enhancing the role and importance of local SEO. 

Why Do You Need the Local Search?

A better question might be, "Why doesn't your business care about local search?". It will likely become more important in the future. Some website owners may implement a local search engine optimization plan without realizing it. Some important points show you why it is important for your business

• If you have a business serving a specific city or region, local research is extremely important to developing your local business.
• Local search is an important driver of nearby businesses' leads, sales, and in-store traffic.
• If you want to improve the public awareness of your brand online, the way to do that is to grow the local search.
• Suppose your target audience is customers who are geographically close to you in the vicinity of your work area. In that case, local search gives you an excellent opportunity that you want to take advantage of attracting customers.

Why Local Search Is Important

While working on the local SEO guide for your website, it is necessary to know its benefits and all its details. The following is a set of important stats that were announced and show the importance of local SEO:

• Google reports that 76% of people who search for a nearby location on their phone have visited a nearby business within 24 hours after conducting a local search. It also announced that 28% of these searches resulted in a purchase. 
• Another Google announcement confirmed that 30% of people's searches are related to geographic location.
• 61% of shoppers said that they search locally every day.
• 86% of users rely on Google Maps to find a business location.
• A survey shows that 83% of searchers use Google Search to learn about nearby businesses; 55% use Google Maps, 44% Apple Maps, 39% turn to Yahoo, and 31% choose bing.

How Google Determines Local Ranking

Google does not reveal many details regarding its organic search ranking algorithms. However, Google is more open about what it takes to rank in local results. According to Google, here are the three main categories of local ranking factors:

1. Relevance: how well a local business profile matches what someone is searching for.
2. Distance: how far each potential search result is from the location term used in the search.
3. Prominence: how popular Google defines this business.

According to Whitespark's ‘2021 Local Search Ranking Factors survey, here are some top Local Pack ranking factors that local SEO experts believe matter to local search:

• GBP primary category.
• Keywords in the listing title.
• Business address proximity to the searcher's location.
• Physical address in the city of search.
• Additional GMB categories.
• High numerical star ratings.
• GBP listing completeness.
• Inbound links' quality and authority to the associated domain.
• Keywords in native Google reviews.

Local SEO: Conclusion

Local search is necessary for any search engine optimization strategy helping businesses connect with their target audience by optimizing their website for local searches and targeting customers in a specific region, city, or neighborhood. One of the most crucial benefits of local search is boosting your rankings and visibility in the results, such as Google's Map Pack/Local Pack. In this local SEO guide, seobase provides the best dope about the local SEO definition, benefits, and importance of local SEO. Keep following seobase as the best local SEO services provider. You can contact seobase to get a local SEO expert consultant to optimize your local search. Use local search results checker like the seobase SERP checker tool to monitor the progress of your local search visibility and compare it with the competitors.