Local search engine results and search engine ranking factors are now one of the biggest and most important puzzles of local SEO.
\nAnd the real catch is that local SEO is changing – and improving to an extent – all the time. Recently, there have been a few notable changes that we believe will determine the future of local SEO.
\nIn this post, we are going to discuss one of such changes that had a reasonably big impact on local SEO and local search engines.
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Do you remember searching something on Google and being redirected to your country-specific version of the search engine? As of now, it is a little harder to reach Google.com than it used to be. You don\u2019t have much control over what Google does or doesn\u2019t change. The only thing you can do is to cope up with it so your business doesn\u2019t take a nosedive. Make sure you clearly specify your target audience when creating the content of your website. In the local business market, the location of your business is of paramount importance. The best practice is to clearly mention where your business is located. Moreover, you can always use widgets like Google Maps\u2019 to make it easier for your potential customers to find you.<\/p>\n Your goal shouldn\u2019t only be to woo new potential customers. That can come later. Local SEO is a good thing. In fact, it can have a great ROI (return on investment) if you play it right. <\/p>\n Related articles<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nFor example, when you searched for \u201cfurniture shops\u201d, Google used to redirect you to your country-specific version of Google. So if you were in the UK, Google would redirect you to Google.co.uk, instead of using Google.com (the global version).
\nBut why does Google redirect?
\nIt is because of a number of different reasons:<\/strong>
\n1. Country specific results are believed to be more targeted and valuable for the searchers. If we once again use the above example of \u201cfurniture shops\u201d, would someone living in the UK be interested in finding furniture shops in the US? This is one of the reasons why local SEO is so important.
\n2. Apart from the user experience, localised search results also make it easier for online businesses to sponsor targeted ads to their local customers.
\n3. By redirecting to country specific versions of search engines, Google stays clear of many legal problems it would have to face otherwise.<\/p>\nIt is Now Harder to Reach Google.com<\/h2>\n
\nEarlier, a link to Google.com always used to be at the bottom of the country specific versions of Google. But now, it only appears the very first time someone is being redirected to the country specific version. After that, the Google.com link just disappears.
\nThe bottom line?
\nGoogle wants you to stay on and use the country specific versions of their search engine. This is why they are constantly trying to make it harder to search via their global search engine version.<\/p>\nWhat Should You, as an Online Business, Do About It?<\/h2>\n
\nThe good news is that the above-mentioned change doesn\u2019t damage the earning potential of local businesses. As a matter of fact, it helps businesses like yours. However, you will have to be in a position to take advantage of it.
\nThere are several things that you, as an online business, can do about it to make sure you are getting the most amount of traffic – targeted traffic – and revenue from your website.
\nHere are a few steps you can take to ensure long-term success in the local SEO market.<\/p>\ni. Define Your Target Audience<\/h2>\n
\nSince it is going to be your local market most often visiting your website – after being redirected to their country-specific version of search engine – your website content should be perfectly optimized for them.<\/p>\nii. Specify Where You Are<\/h2>\n
iii. Connect With Your Local Target Audience<\/h2>\n
\nIdeally, you should have a proper marketing strategy, and connecting with your local target audience is an important part of it.
\nShare local community news, display your business\u2019s opinions on a certain cause, take part in sponsorships and charities, review local businesses or interview local figures.
\nIn short, be a part of that community that you are trying to connect with as a preferred business outlet.<\/p>\nFinal Words<\/h2>\n
\nGoogle is now making every effort to make local SEO as important as it possibly can. This is because it not only gives a better user-experience to internet searchers, but it also paves way for more money in terms of targeted local ads.
\nSo you are going to see a lot more of it in the near-future. It is best, therefore, to play along and optimise your website for your country specific local search engine. After all, most of your local audience are going to be redirected to that.<\/p>\n\n
Need help with your Local Business SEO<\/a>?<\/h2>\n
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