“Near me” refers to ranking your business for searches in your local area. When people search for a product or service that they need, Google’s algorithm sorts information based on nearby businesses that match those keywords. Ranking your business for searches in your local area can drive local revenue toward your company and allow you to reach a broader audience.
While promoting your business globally is important, ranking for searches in your local area is equally important. This can drive local revenue and allow your customers to find you directly. However, ranking for “Near Me” can be more challenging than other local searches because it requires you to partner with local businesses that are likely to match your keywords.
There are a few steps you can take to rank your business for “near me” searches. These include:
- Make sure your name, address and phone number are consistent on all platforms.
- Make sure people can find you online.
- Ensure your business has a unique local phone number.
- Have a Google Business Profiles account.
Takeaway – Take the time to build up your local SEO to reap the benefits of increased revenue.
Google Business Profile
If you want to rank higher in “near me” searches, one tool you can use is creating a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) page. When someone searches for your business, your information will be displayed on the page. This includes your company name, address, contact information, opening hours, and reviews. You can edit this information if you verify your business.
A business looking to rank for “near me” searches should also make sure they are listed on websites such as Yelp, TripAdvisor etc list. Google Business Profile pages and directory submissions are included in this tip for more information about these specific websites that allow customers to leave reviews.
Companies could also advertise with their local tourism board if you tend to attract visitors to your city. Getting a lot of information about your business out into the community is important not only for advertising but for getting your target audience the information they need to make a decision about your business quickly.
Social Media
Social media can be a powerful local SEO search tactic. By creating content on your company’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other accounts, you can list your company name, address, hours of operation and updates on products or services. You can also answer customer service inquiries from your platforms. By having multiple outlets, you can reach clients where they are in addition to building up local content that will help search engine algorithms sort your company into results lists.
Local content is community-oriented. You can build your business reputation by becoming involved with local events, linking up with other local businesses and supporting organisations in your area. This will cause your name to pop up in a variety of ways online through blog posts, press releases, articles and other types of content that are keyword focused on your area.
On-Page optimisation
You can optimise your website content for local searches by including keywords in page titles and alt tags. For example, if you are a clothing store in Delhi, use the keyword “Women’s Clothing near me” as a page title. Add “near me” to the title tags of your location pages, anchor texts, and alt tags so that people searching for these terms will find your site. Remember, this is not about being spammy or participating in “keyword stuffing”— it’s about using your keywords naturally on your blog so that people can find you when they search for those terms online.
Optimising your existing website content can result in improved search engine rankings, which can help you gain more exposure. If you have a high-quality back-linking network of other local businesses, you can also benefit from their expertise while still increasing your influence in the community.
Business owners should remember that, even if their company is not based in a particular location, it may still be of service to people who are visiting from different areas. Visitors might need your products or services when they visit, just as locals might make your company a part of their regular routine. Establishing your worth as a local and visitor destination can help not only increase revenue but change how your company is viewed by locals and tourists alike.
Optimising for Mobile
Studies have shown that websites with mobile versions are more likely to be chosen for products and services. If you don’t already have a mobile version of your website, consider investing in one.
People tend to use their smartphones when searching for information near them, so if your website is easy to navigate, they may be more likely to choose you to do business with. This includes enlarging buttons, creating clickable phone numbers, and adding a map feature so they can find you easier.
Due to recent Google updates, websites that are optimised for mobile are given better search engine rankings than ones that don’t. If you believe you need a mobile update, talk to your developer and get started already!
Conclusion
Using these tips you can easily rank your business on Google for “near me” search results. Showing up based on searches in a local area is a great way to get customers interested in your services and it’s free marketing! Take advantage of every opportunity you have to get your business name out there. The first step is researching the words that people are searching for, the second is offering information that gives them exactly what they are looking for, and the final step is making sure they find it. By doing this you are reaching potential customers when they are looking for a product or service, right where they live!
For more information about how we can help you get your business in front of the people most likely to want to do business with you, contact us today. We have the expertise and insight you need to reach the people you want to do business with the most. We can assist you with optimising your existing website and social media, streamlining your accounts, and brainstorming new ways to get the word about your business out into your community.