Local SEO in 2023: How to Get Found by Customers in Your Area

For local businesses, being found in local search results isn't just nice to have—it's essential for survival. This guide covers everything you need to know about local SEO in 2023.

Why Local SEO Matters More Than Ever

The statistics speak for themselves:

• "Near me" searches have grown by over 900% in recent years
• 46% of all Google searches have local intent
• 88% of consumers who do a local search on their smartphone visit a related store within a week
• 78% of local mobile searches result in offline purchases

Google Business Profile: Your Most Important Local SEO Asset

Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is the cornerstone of local SEO. To optimize it:

• Claim and verify your listing if you haven't already
• Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency across the web
• Choose the most specific business categories
• Add high-quality photos (businesses with photos get 42% more requests for directions)
• Collect and respond to reviews (businesses with 4.5+ stars get 28% more clicks)
• Use Google Posts to share updates, offers, and events

On-Page Local SEO Factors

Your website needs to send clear signals to search engines about your location:

• Localized content: Create pages for each location you serve
• Local keywords: Include city names in titles, headings, and content
• Schema markup: Implement LocalBusiness schema to help search engines understand your business
• Mobile optimization: Ensure your site works perfectly on mobile devices
• Loading speed: Aim for under 3 seconds (critical for both users and rankings)

Building Local Citations

Citations are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number on other websites. Key citation sources include:

• Local directories (Yelp, Yellow Pages, etc.)
• Industry-specific directories
• Chamber of Commerce websites
• Local news sites and blogs

Consistency is crucial—ensure your business information is identical across all platforms.

Review Management

Reviews impact both rankings and consumer decisions:

• Develop a strategy to encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews
• Respond to all reviews, both positive and negative
• Address negative reviews professionally and work toward resolution
• Monitor review sites beyond Google (Yelp, Facebook, industry-specific sites)

Local Link Building

Earning links from local websites sends strong relevance signals:

• Partner with local non-competing businesses
• Sponsor local events and organizations
• Get involved with community initiatives
• Create content about local topics that naturally attracts links

Measuring Local SEO Success

Track these metrics to gauge your local SEO performance:

• Google Business Profile insights (views, searches, actions)
• Local pack rankings for key terms
• Organic traffic from local areas
• Phone calls and direction requests
• Conversion rates from local visitors

By implementing these local SEO strategies, your business can increase visibility where it matters most—in your community. Remember that local SEO is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process that requires consistent attention and adaptation to changing algorithms and consumer behaviors.