With a complicated search algorithm system that has changed dramatically over the years, explore the local SEO ranking factors you should know.
If you’re running a small to medium-sized business and developing an SEO strategy, don’t overlook the importance of local SEO.
Local SEO operates on many of the same principles as the broader approach but caters to your specific region. Even if you offer national or global online ordering, the success of your brick-and-mortar still matters.
The problem for many businesses is that local SEO ranking factors change from year to year. A strategy that boosted your local SEO a few years ago may leave you falling behind today.
Read on to learn what the most important local SEO ranking factors are in 2023.
In this article
Your Google Business Profile
If you’re starting to fall behind, the first thing to do is ramp up your Google Business Profile.
The strength of your Google Business Profile has the biggest impact on your local SEO in 2023. Make sure that you have listed the full name of your business, selected ten categories that align with your services, and that you’ve linked your business homepage. If your business name includes relevant location and industry keywords, it may fare better than those that don’t. Google will also favor profiles that link to a well-optimized website, which we’ll discuss below.
Your Reviews
Online reviews are an important part of building customer trust. They’re also an important part of your local SEO ranking.
The best online review strategy to boost local search ranking is to keep reviews coming in regularly across multiple platforms, prioritizing Google Review if a multi-platform strategy is unmanageable. A five-star ranking won’t do much for your ranking if the reviews are all several years old and reviews with text may be better for your ranking than star ratings, alone.
Your Website
Many business owners are surprised to learn that their website is not the most important local SEO ranking factor. That said, it doesn’t mean that you should ditch the attempts to improve your website.
If you’re looking for a quick fix, make sure that your website is running quickly and make your business name, address, and phone number very visible across your website. Over time, work to create high-quality content using keywords with high local search rankings. Accrue quality backlinks as well and you’ll see a major shift in your local SEO ranking.
Prioritize These Local SEO Ranking Factors in 2023
If your business runs on local support, you should prioritize local SEO. Because SEO algorithms change from year to year, continue to update your strategy, focusing on these local SEO ranking factors in 2023. Many of them are easier to achieve than you might think!
Looking for more inspiration that will get your business off the ground this year? Take a look around as we share the latest business news, insider tips, and trends that you won’t want to miss.
