Search engine optimization (SEO) is currently one of the most important things to be aware of when marketing your business online. There are many avenues you can take to raise awareness for your brand and website, but none are as lucrative as social media. This is particularly important for local SEO.
There are several ways you can use social media to benefit local rankings. When it comes to boosting SEO, the best social media networks for small and local businesses go as follows:
- Google Plus
This lineup is quite a bit different than what you would use for driving conversions and spreading brand awareness, but it’s critical to remember their importance when working on local rankings. Use this knowledge to formulate a new social media SEO strategy, along with the following tips.
1. Include a Dynamic and Relevant Content Strategy
Having a presence on social networks doesn’t do much good without relevant content.Search queries in both search engines and social media searches are driven by content, which can generate greater shares and link building that contribute to local optimization.
The best kind of content when targeting local attention includes interesting, and relevant topics. They should include strategically placed keywords specific to the area as well as content that applies explicitly to the targeted regions. Search engines will be able to pick out this content being shared across social pages, and use it to create relevant search results to match common queries.
2. Offer Localized Coupons
What’s one thing all consumers have in common? They love to find deals! Local discounts are a frequent topic of search, and you can capitalize on this by sharing coupons on your social media pages.
For example, if you’re in the entertainment business in Los Angeles, you might offer coupons for local entertainment venues once a week on sites like Facebook or Twitter. Search engines will pick up on the coupons, as well as the number of people that visit your page weekly, and put that information towards your overall rankings.
3. Fix Up Your Profile
Many small businesses don’t realize how important social media profiles are for search rankings. When consumers search your brand, your various social media profiles are among the top results. This also influences the likelihood of your brand coming up during a general search for products or services in a specific region.
Take some time to optimize your profile for local search. Fill in every category on various sites including company name, a description of the company, contact information, address, founders, photos, and any other information that might generate local traffic.
4. Post About Local Events
Give search engines another thing to pick up for local searches by including popular local events in the content of your posts. These events will likely already by highly searched and publicized by consumers in your area, and you’ll be able to bring more rankings to your brand by including them.
The next time the city holds a charity fundraiser in the park, include some information in social media posts about how you’re planning to get involved. This will not only improve your rankings, but it will also enhance your local image.
Each of your social network pages can be optimized to match local search queries – boosting your rankings as a result. Furthermore, increasing your social traffic can bring more local attention to your business – you just have to play your cards right.
