Photo by Erik Mclean
Every town and city in the country, no matter how big or small, has its popular hot spots. And that’s what you want your business to be – one of the hot spots. Easy to find. Local Search Optimization (or LSO) is the key to getting found.
Effective LSO helps your business stand out in local search results, which is more important than ever, as customers increasingly rely on online searches to find the products and services they need.
It all begins with your business listing — the key information that helps people find your business, which appears in directories, websites, blogs, social media, or apps:
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- Business Name: Choose a name that’s easy for customers to recognize when searching for your products or services.
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- Address: Provide clear and specific details, such as suite numbers, cross streets, or nearby landmarks, to ensure customers can easily locate your business.
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- Phone Number: Include both a local number and, if possible, a toll-free option to give customers more ways to reach you.
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- Hours of Operation: Clearly list your regular business hours, along with any special holiday or event hours.
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- Website: Your website is your digital storefront. Share the link so customers can explore your services, learn about your business, and access any online features you offer.
Your business listing can improve search rankings and attract more customers. But managing your business listing unfortunately isn’t a “set it and forget it” task. After all, things are always changing. Let’s explore the advantages of keeping your listing up-to-date.
Make Your Business Easy to Find
Again, one of the top goals of maintaining your online business listings is to make your business easy for customers to find. Accurate listings ensure potential clients can easily locate and contact you, whether they’re searching on Google, social media, or other platforms.
By keeping your information consistent across all directories, you increase the chances of converting searches into sales.
Photo by Jamie Street
Adapt to Business Changes
Your business is bound to change over time. Whether you’re expanding with new locations, adjusting your business hours, introducing new products or services, or even rebranding to stay competitive.
Neglecting to update your listings can lead to confusion, missed opportunities, and even lost interest from potential customers. Also, consistency across all of your business listings is key – the information (address, phone number, hours, etc.) needs to match, no matter where online people look up your business. If there are discrepancies, your Google ranking could suffer.
Meanwhile, maintaining accurate and current information ensures customers can always find the most reliable details about your offerings, operations, and how to connect with you.
Leverage New Platform Features
Platforms like Google Business Profile are always rolling out powerful new features designed to benefit your business and enhance your online presence. These tools allow you to do more than just list your business info – they provide you with numerous ways to connect with your customers.
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- Share photos
- Promote special offers and events
- Respond to reviews
- List your in-store products
By leveraging the latest features offered by Google, you can increase your visibility, and stand out in the crowded market.
Photo by Jamie Street
Engage with Reviews
Customer reviews are a powerful tool that can significantly impact your business’s reputation and success.
Responding to positive reviews allows you to express gratitude and build stronger relationships with happy customers – while addressing negative feedback provides an opportunity to resolve concerns, show accountability, and in many cases turn an unhappy customer into a loyal one. By showing genuine interest in your customers’ opinions, you can create a more personalized and trustworthy image for your brand and show that you’re dedicated to customer satisfaction.
We encourage our customers to respond to all customer reviews — the good, the bad, and the indifferent. We know this takes time, but it’s a vital step, since reviews are a key factor in Google’s rankings. Short on time? Let us take it off your plate! For as little as $2.06 a day, we’ll respond to your Google reviews, ensuring your customers feel heard and your online presence stays strong.
Stay Prepared for Technological Advancements
Advancements like as AI and voice search are revolutionizing the way customers interact with businesses, offering faster, more convenient ways to find the services and products they need. These technologies, however, are only as effective as the information they can access.
That’s why keeping your business listings accurate and up-to-date across all platforms is the best way to make sure potential customers can find you easily across all platforms, especially the ones using newer search methods like voice-activated devices or AI-powered search engines.
Photo by Jamie Street
Get Found. Easier.
By dedicating time and effort to manage your listings and keep them up-to-date, you’re making sure customers have the best chance to find you in the increasingly crowded marketplace. Don’t fall behind – take control of your business listings today.
With Smart Link Solutions’ exclusive LSO strategies, your customers will have everything they need to find your business more easily.
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- Complete and Accurate Listings: We claim, review, edit, and publish every listing for your business, ensuring 100% accuracy – so that customers will always find dependable information when they search for your services.
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- A Custom Approach: Every business is unique, which is why we collaborate closely with you to create a specially tailored roadmap for success that aligns with your brand’s specific needs.
Want to see how your business is showing up in local search right now? Click here to run a free listing report.
Join the businesses that we’ve helped thrive online since 1994 – call us at (866) 757 – 5100 or visit us online!
Photo by Tim Mossholder