Hello, my SEO friends!

Sorry, I missed publishing for two weeks. My family and I were on vacation, so I decided to be fully present with them. To be 100% honest, it was a nice break from work, side hustles, and my normal day-to-day.

BUT I’m back! And, I’m ready to deliver some powerful SEO tools straight to your inbox.

I’m really excited about today’s tip. I’ve talked about it a TON on my TikTok channel. Local SEO. It’s so important to expand your reach locally!

Dad Joke:

Why can't dinosaurs clap their hands?

Because they're extinct.

Who doesn’t love a good dinosaur pun?? 🤣

SEO Tip #4

Local SEO is a must for any business that delivers some type of product or service to customers in a specific geographic area, ie: local. Whether you’re a brick-and-mortar store or a service-based business, optimizing for local search helps you connect with nearby customers who are already looking for what you offer.

Step 1: Google My Business (GMB) is a Game Changer

If you haven’t claimed your Google My Business listing yet, stop everything and do that now! GMB is the first thing people see when searching for local businesses on Google. You’ll want to fill out your profile completely—don’t leave anything blank.

Here’s what to focus on:

• Business Name: Use your exact business name as registered.

• Category: Select the most relevant category. You can even add secondary categories.

• Description: Include your target keywords but make it natural. Highlight what makes your business unique.

• Hours: Keep these updated. Nothing turns away customers faster than wrong business hours!

• Photos: Upload high-quality images of your location, products, and services. Businesses with photos get 42% more requests for directions according to Google.

Pro Tip: Consistently post updates and photos to your GMB profile. Google likes to see fresh content, and this can help you rank higher in local search results.

Step 2: Get Those Reviews Rolling In

Reviews are HUGE for local SEO. I’ve posted a few TikTok videos talking about the importance, if you haven’t watched them check them out! Not only do reviews build trust with potential customers, but they also tell Google your business is active and reliable.

Here’s some tips to get more:

• Ask your customers in person after a sale or service is completed.

• Send follow-up emails with a direct link to your review page.

• Offer a small incentive, like a discount or freebie, for leaving a review.

And don’t forget to respond to every review—good or bad. It shows that you care about your customers and are committed to improving your business.

Step 3: Local Citations – Consistency is Key

A local citation is any mention of your business on the internet, such as on directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, or even local blogs. The key to citations is consistency—your NAP (Name, Address, and Phone number) must be exactly the same across all platforms. Inconsistent information can confuse Google and hurt your rankings. There are some services you can pay to keep these up-to-date, but you can manage it yourself to save costs.

Here’s where to focus your citations:

• Local directories (Yelp, Foursquare, etc.)

• Industry-specific directories

• Social media platforms (ensure NAP consistency here too!)

Again, you can use services that manage this for you, but they are paid.

Step 4: Create Geo-Targeted Content

This is my personal favorite tip. It’s something I’ve used in every company I’ve worked for or with and I’ve mentioned it a time or two on TikTok. Create content that focuses on your geographical area. Here are some ideas:

• Write blog posts about local events or news relevant to your industry.

• Create location-specific service pages. For example, if you provide plumbing services in multiple cities, create separate pages for each city.

• Mention local landmarks, neighborhoods, or areas of service throughout your website.

Google will see this content and associate your business with the local area, helping you rank higher for geo-targeted searches.

Step 5: Track Your Local SEO Progress

You’ll want to keep an eye on how your local SEO efforts are performing. Tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and your GMB dashboard provide valuable data on traffic and engagement. Check these regularly to see which strategies are working and which might need tweaking.

That’s it for today’s SEO tip! Remember, local SEO is all about being consistent, visible, and active in your community. If you’re a small business owner, these tips will help you take control of your local search rankings and get more people walking through your doors (or finding your services online).

Before we wrap up, I want to give a quick shout-out to everyone who’s been supporting my journey on TikTok and through this newsletter. I’ve got some awesome new content planned, and if you’re not already following, head on over and join the fun! I also offer SEO services if you’re looking for some hands-on help—hit me up at theseomarketingdad.com.

See you next time,