In today’s digital age, businesses are constantly looking for ways to expand their reach and increase their customer base. With the rise of e-commerce and online marketing, targeting multiple cities has never been easier.
However, as businesses strive to expand their reach, they often face the challenge of maintaining strong search engine optimization (SEO) rankings. With each city comes a new set of competitors and keywords, making it a daunting task to keep up with SEO strategies and SEO tools.
In this article, we will discuss smart strategies for targeting multiple cities while ensuring your business maintains strong SEO rankings.
From understanding local search trends to creating relevant and high-quality content, these strategies will help your business grow in new cities without sacrificing your hard-earned SEO rankings. By implementing these smart techniques, you can take your business to the next level and reach a wider audience while still maintaining a strong online presence.
So let’s dive in and discover how you can successfully target multiple cities without compromising on your SEO efforts.
The Countless Pages of Search Results
Have you ever considered the challenges of finding an electrician if every Google search only returned global results? Just picture the countless pages of search results you would have to sift through just to find a beautician in your local area. It’s a daunting task, isn’t it?
Now, imagine how much more difficult it would be for your local business to thrive if it had to compete with competitors from all around the world for clicks. It would certainly make your digital marketing strategy inefficient, to say the least.
Fortunately, Google has come up with a solution to this predicament through local SEO. This innovative approach allows you to target customers specifically in your area, ensuring that you provide valuable information about your business to the people who are most likely to become your patrons.
But what if you have multiple locations spread across different cities? Is it possible to rank for keywords that target multiple cities without negatively impacting your local SEO efforts?
Absolutely! Ranking for relevant keywords that cater to multiple cities is indeed achievable, but it requires careful execution to avoid any detrimental effects on your local SEO performance. It’s crucial to get it right.
While this may seem more complex than your typical search engine optimization, don’t worry – we’re here to guide you through the entire process. Follow the instructions provided below, and you’ll soon be ranking in searches for all your locations. Are you ready to get started?
The Significance of Local SEO
There are compelling justifications to engage in local SEO, even though it has the potential to have adverse effects. Let’s delve into two noteworthy rationales:
Local SEO Attracts Foot Traffic
Consider this scenario: You find yourself away from home, attending a wedding for a family member. As evening approaches, a strong craving for a cheese pizza overtakes you.
You reach for your phone and open up the search engine of your choice. But what do you type into the search bar? Simply “pizza”? No, that wouldn’t do.
Instead, you instinctively enter a location-specific keyword, like “best pizza in Louisville” if that happens to be your current destination.
Now, when the search results appear, you don’t just think to yourself, “That’s good to know,” and then drift off to sleep. No, you take decisive action based on the information you’ve obtained.
This is precisely why you picked up your phone in the first place – to order that mouthwatering pizza. Or perhaps you’re feeling adventurous and decide to venture out, hailing a taxi to dine at the highly acclaimed pizzeria you discovered through your search.
And guess what? You’re not the only one doing this. Every month, a staggering 1.5 billion individuals visit locations that are directly related to their online searches.
And it’s not just a small minority engaging in these local searches – nearly 46% of all Google searches have a local intent. That’s an enormous percentage!
So, the next time you consider neglecting local SEO (Search Engine Optimization), it’s crucial to rethink your decision. Implementing effective local SEO strategies could actually serve as your golden ticket to attracting those random vacationers or out-of-towners to your pizza place, beauty salon, hardware store, or any other local business you operate.
The potential is immense, and it’s time to seize it.
Local SEO Ranks You Higher On Google
It is crucial to have a comprehensive knowledge about the essential SEO key performance indicators (KPIs) that play a significant role in achieving a higher ranking factors on Google. Among the multitude of KPIs, two noteworthy metrics to focus on include:
- The number of clicks directed to your website: This metric measures the effectiveness of your SEO efforts in terms of attracting organic traffic. By monitoring and analyzing the click-through rate, you can determine the success of your relevant content in capturing users’ attention and driving them towards your website.
- The improvement in keyword rankings: Tracking the progress of your website’s keyword rankings is essential to evaluate the impact of your SEO strategies. An increase in keyword rankings signifies that your website is becoming more visible to search engine users, leading to enhanced organic traffic and potential conversions.
By diligently monitoring these SEO KPIs, you can gain valuable insights into the performance of your website, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately enhance your chances of achieving a prominent position on Google’s search engine results page.
By utilizing local SEO strategies, you effectively address both aspects simultaneously. It is important to emphasize that this approach relies on the proximity and relevance of the business to the searcher’s location.
City Pages: Good Or Bad For SEO?
In the early days of SEO, during a period known as the dark ages, city pages were commonly used to manipulate search engine rankings by incorporating local keywords. This involved creating a page focused on a specific topic, such as flower delivery, and duplicating its content across multiple pages with variations of city-specific target keywords.
However, this strategy did not go unnoticed by Google. When the search engine introduced its Panda Update, it specifically targeted and penalized websites employing this spammy tactic. As a result, city pages became detrimental to SEO efforts and could potentially lead to penalties for a website.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that city pages can still be effective if implemented correctly. With the right approach, they can contribute positively to a website’s SEO strategy. This brings us to…
How Do I Optimize My Business For Multiple Locations On Google?
1. Use Google Business Profile
Did you know that Google’s primary mission is to effectively organize and deliver the most pertinent and trustworthy information to online searchers? Their ultimate goal is to ensure that individuals find exactly what they are searching for.
To increase your chances of ranking higher on search engine results pages (SERPs), it is crucial to have your business verified by Google. And that’s where Google Business Profile comes into play.
By registering on Google Business Profile, you provide Google with precise details about your business and its location. Consequently, Google becomes more confident in sharing your content with searchers.
The best part is that Google Business Profile is both free and user-friendly. All you need to do is create an account, claim ownership of your business, and diligently fill in as much information as possible.
Additionally, incorporating photos and encouraging customer reviews (and promptly responding to them) can significantly enhance the optimization of your Google Business Profile account.
2. Get Into Google’s Local Map Pack
Have you ever engaged in a local inquiry and received three prominent recommendations courtesy of Google? For instance, similar to this scenario.
Indeed, these businesses possess remarkable fortune. It is highly likely that individuals seeking plumbing services will select one of these enterprises and cease their search query. Unfortunately, this means that other contenders face a challenging predicament.
Undoubtedly, being included among the top three establishments listed in the Local Map Pack holds immense value. However, through employing appropriate strategies and methodologies, it is possible for any business to attain such a position.
To enhance the likelihood of securing one of the esteemed three positions, consider implementing the following three strategies:
Sign Up For Google Business Profile
In line with the earlier point, it is worth mentioning that Google places utmost importance on websites that have undergone verification.
Give Google All Your Details
To ensure comprehensive visibility in search engines especially on Google, it is crucial to furnish the search engine with essential details pertaining to your organization. This encompasses disclosing your company’s official appellation, physical location, contact number, and the precise hours of operation.
Additionally, incorporating captivating visuals and assorted media assets can significantly enhance your online presence, as they have an undeniable appeal to a wide audience.
Leverage Your Reviews
Having favorable reviews significantly increases the likelihood of your business being showcased on Google’s Local Map Pack.
3. Build Your Internal Linking Structure
Having positive reviews greatly increases the likelihood of your business being showcased on Google’s Local Map Pack. Did you realize that making adjustments to your internal linking structure can significantly enhance your SEO?
Certainly, receiving external links that direct users to your website is beneficial. However, it’s important to note that you have limited control over them and obtaining them requires effort. In situations where acquiring external links is not feasible, internal linking can be incredibly advantageous by:
- Enhancing the navigation of your website, making it easier for users to explore different pages.
- Assisting Google in identifying the most significant pages on your website.
- Enhancing the overall architecture of your website, leading to improved user experience.
Implementing these strategies can significantly improve your online visibility on Google and enhance your likelihood of being found by individuals conducting local searches.
4. Build Your NAP Citations
The acronym NAP denotes the crucial contact form or contact details of a business, including its name, address, and phone number.
Primarily, NAP represents the essential information pertaining to a business’s online presence.
To ensure easy accessibility, it is recommended to prominently display your NAP on your website.
A well-advised approach is to position this vital information at the bottom of your homepage, as visitors often anticipate finding it there.
Additionally, it is highly advantageous to enlist the dissemination of your business information on online data aggregators.
These prominent data providers play a vital role in supplying information to renowned platforms such as TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Microsoft Bing. It is crucial not to overlook these significant entities:
- Acxiom.
- Data Axle (formerly known as Infogroup).
- Factual.
- Neustar Localeze.
Including your website on all the leading aggregators may seem like a laborious task, but the effort is undoubtedly rewarding when it comes to attaining a feature as impressive as this.
It is crucial to emphasize that maintaining consistent NAPs (Name, Address, Phone number) across all online platforms or social media platforms is of utmost significance.
Committing a single error has the potential to significantly diminish the likelihood of your business being showcased on prominent platforms such as Google’s Local Map Pack, as well as renowned websites like Yelp and TripAdvisor.
5. Use Schema Markup
Schema markup, also known as structured data or simply schema, has a significant impact on the local SEO results of your website. It may seem intimidating if you’re not a developer, but fear not, it’s actually easier to use than you might imagine.
Established in 2011, Schema.org is a collaboration between Google, Yahoo, Yandex, and Microsoft, aiming to create a shared vocabulary for search engines. Although it doesn’t directly affect search rankings, it offers various benefits like enhancing the appearance of your search results, increasing visibility for relevant queries, and improving visitor engagement on your pages.
So why are we discussing it here? Well, implementing schema markup improves the likelihood of your content being used for rich results, making it more visually appealing and boosting click-through rates.
Moreover, schema markup provides several property options specifically designed for local SEO, enabling you to choose the most relevant schema categories. For instance, if you have a cupcake shop, selecting Schema.org/bakery helps search engines better understand the nature of your website.
Once you’ve chosen the appropriate category, it’s important to select the sub-properties to ensure validation. This includes providing details like your business name, operating hours, and the geographic area you serve.
Matches The Service Areas Specified in your Google Business Profile
It is crucial that the Schema.org/areaServed on your local landing page matches the service areas specified in your Google Business Profile (formerly knows as Google My Business). Additionally, make sure to mention those same towns on your landing page’s on-page content.
To learn more about the required and recommended schema properties and to validate your structured data, refer to the linked article. If you’re using WordPress, there are plugins available that provide further information on implementing schema markup.
Incorporating schema markup on your website can have a significant impact on your local SEO efforts. It not only enhances the visibility of your content but also improves the chances of attracting more visitors through eye-catching rich results.
So don’t hesitate to leverage schema markup to make the most out of your online presence.
6. Optimize Your Site For Mobile
In the event that you are startled awake in the wee hours of the night to discover your bathroom being inundated with water due to a malfunctioning faucet, consider the following course of action:
- Hasten towards your laptop and promptly initiate a localized search to locate the most adept emergency plumber in your vicinity.
- Swiftly seize your phone and open the Chrome application, diligently inputting the phrase “emergency plumber” to swiftly access a list of reputable professionals who can promptly address the dire situation at hand.
At the early hours of 3 a.m., the likelihood is high that you have opted for option number two.
However, the matter extends beyond this specific time.
Individuals consistently prioritize their smartphones over computers, not just during the late-night hours.
In fact, a staggering 59% of total website traffic is generated through mobile devices.
Google Has Taken Notice
In accordance with their standard practice, Google has taken notice and promptly transitioned to mobile-first indexing. Consequently, it is imperative that your website is duly optimized for mobile devices in order to attain favorable rankings on Google search results, particularly for local search engine optimization (SEO) purposes.
Here are six valuable suggestions for optimizing the mobile-friendliness of your website:
- Ensure that your website is adaptable and visually appealing across various screen sizes to provide a seamless user experience.
- Avoid the pitfall of using excessively tiny buttons, as they can frustrate and discourage mobile users from engaging with your content.
- Emphasize the use of larger fonts to enhance readability on smaller screens, enabling visitors to effortlessly consume your website’s text.
- Eliminate intrusive pop-ups and obstructive text blockers that can hinder the smooth navigation and browsing experience for mobile users.
- Strategically display your crucial information in prominent positions on your website, allowing mobile visitors to quickly access and comprehend the most pertinent details.
- If you utilize WordPress as your website platform, opt for themes specifically designed to be mobile-friendly, ensuring optimal performance and accessibility for mobile users.
Bonus Tip: Make Your Most Important City Pages Unique
In order to distinguish the pages from one another, it is advisable to generate authentic content for every distinct area or city.
This implies that the decision lies in your hands.
One option is to compile a comprehensive list of all the cities you cater to on a single page.
Alternatively, you may choose to develop separate pages dedicated to each individual city.
When adopting this approach, it is crucial to ensure that the content on each page retains its uniqueness and exclusivity.
It is important to note that merely substituting the term “hand-wrestling” with “arm-wrestling” does not suffice in terms of creating distinctive content.
It is imperative to diligently conduct additional research on the designated geographical location before embarking on the task of creating a comprehensive and valuable informational content for local residents.
For Example:
- Plumbers should extensively discuss the prevalent issue of hard water within the vicinity, elucidating the potential consequences and offering viable solutions.
- Florists are encouraged to expound upon their unique cultivation techniques, tailored specifically to thrive in the distinctive local climate, to enlighten readers about the intricate process behind their flourishing plants.
- Professionals in the real estate domain should meticulously delve into the diverse communities present in the area, providing an insightful and comprehensive overview to aid potential buyers and sellers in their decision-making process.
An impressive illustration can be observed in the portfolio of 7th State Builders.
Can Significantly Enhance Your Client’s Trust
Providing insights about a city or town can significantly enhance your client’s trust in your business. According to a recent OnePoll survey commissioned by CG Roxane, an impressive 67% of individuals place their trust in local businesses.
By showcasing your in-depth knowledge of the unique circumstances and challenges within a particular locality, you subtly communicate your local presence and understanding, regardless of having numerous branches nationwide.
Consequently, your clients will recognize and appreciate your expertise in their specific area, leading to a higher level of confidence in your ability to address their location-specific concerns effectively.
Please take note of the following: It is of utmost importance to ensure that this information is included on every version of your website.
Given Google’s implementation of the mobile-first index, it is crucial to avoid a decline in your rankings due to the lack of mobile optimization.
5 Tools To Scale Your Local SEO
If you find yourself with a vast number of locations to handle, the task of managing listings can become quite overwhelming. But fear not, as there are several valuable tools available to assist you in effectively scaling your local SEO endeavors. Allow me to enlighten you with a list of these beneficial resources:
- Yext: This powerful tool empowers you to efficiently manage your listings across hundreds of locations, ensuring consistency and accuracy while saving you precious time and effort.
- BrightLocal: With its comprehensive suite of features, BrightLocal enables you to easily handle listings for numerous locations, offering detailed reporting and analysis to enhance your local SEO strategies.
- LocalClarity: Providing a centralized platform, LocalClarity streamlines the process of managing multiple listings, offering insights and analytics to optimize your online presence and reputation.
- Whitespark: A highly regarded tool in the local SEO realm, Whitespark facilitates the management of listings for numerous locations, aiding in the acquisition of valuable customer reviews and boosting your search rankings.
- Birdeye: This innovative tool not only assists in managing listings across a multitude of locations but also offers reputation management features, allowing you to proactively monitor and enhance your online brand image.
These exceptional tools can truly revolutionize your approach to managing listings for a large number of locations, empowering you to effectively scale your local SEO efforts with ease.
In Conclusion
Local SEO is an essential aspect that cannot be overlooked. Even if you have multiple business locations in different cities, you can still harness its potential.
There are different approaches you can take to leverage local SEO. You can either create individual landing pages for each location or include all your locations on a single page.
Whichever option you select, it is crucial to understand the immense impact local SEO has on attracting nearby customers to your specific area.
However, it is vital to execute it correctly. If you find yourself uncertain about the necessary steps to follow, put yourself in the shoes of a customer.
Consider the information you would seek as a potential customer. What would convince you that a particular business perfectly caters to your needs?
Most likely, the location would be a significant contributing key factor. Therefore, capitalizing on local SEO is the best way to tap into this advantage.
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Moreover, if you looking for a Local SEO and Marketing Company to help you rank locally, we at Brian Zenarosa Digital can help you out. Book a discovery call today.
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