As plenty of digital marketers and SEO Experts are closer to their final stretch of 2017, the biggest question haunting most people is the mystery of SEO in 2018. To help ease the heavy load of SEO in 2018, here is how you can conquer the local SEO in 2018.
1. Local Citations
According to a Google Search, four out of five users admired local search engines more than anything else. This makes local SEO a high-stakes affair for local businesses. The best-loved way to give a local website its importance on SERPs is to create pages of quality content on business directories.
Here are some of the best practices
Get your Google Maps Marketing and Google Business meeting sculpted correctly.
List top business directories and generate quality content on each web page.
Please search for your missing directories and fix them as soon as possible.
2. Implement User reviews and ratings
The more positive reviews, the more importance will be given to your business website. Positive reviews are an important local SEO ranking factor that adds tremendous value to your website.
Also, a customer-generated review powerfully boosts the long-tail keyword traffic.
According to Google, you should have at least 3.5 out of 5 to get your results on SERP.
Hence, every business must strive to keep a five-star rating to improve website traffic and generate higher revenue and ROI.
3. Using Schema Markup to a great extent
Most SEO experts have been aware of schema markup for quite a while now. For any local business, it is high time to raise its schema markup game. Startups can add structured data markup to their webpage code to include vital information.
Using a Google Structured Data Testing Tool can help identify possible errors and fix every possible aspect.
For an advanced business, look for different business startup tags that will help differentiate your startup from the rest.
According to estimation, less than 50 percent of websites use local schema markup for local SEO.
4. Get the Titles and Meta descriptions up to the mark
You can experiment quite a bit with SEO, but one thing has remained constant over the years: the Titles and meta descriptions. Treating them as mini ads for your website will reap tremendous benefits in the future.
In 2016, Google increased the width of search results to 600 px, which enables the title tags to be within 55 to 60 characters.
You can use useful tools, such as Yoast’s SEO plugin for WordPress and SEOmofo, to check your title and meta tags.
Further, to reduce mistakes to a considerable amount, I recommend that you read Hubspot’s guide for writing meta tags and title descriptions.
Final Verdict
Local SEO is undoubtedly the best bet for businesses to shine and expand their empires. Hence, Go through the above guide and be Ready to Rock in 2018 with your business website.
Distributed by PX Media
Media Contact
Company Name: PX Media
Contact Person: Douglas
Email: admin@pxmediainc.com
Phone: (626) 768-0760
City: Pasadena
State: CA
Website: www.pxmediainc.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was local search optimization important in 2018?
In 2018, Google placed greater emphasis on localized search results, making it essential for businesses to optimize for their geographic area to improve visibility and attract nearby customers.
What key elements helped improve local SEO in 2018?
Key elements included optimizing Google My Business profiles, gathering positive local reviews, using location-specific keywords, and ensuring consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) details across platforms.
How did Google My Business affect local rankings?
A well-optimized Google My Business profile boosted rankings in the local 3-pack, driving more visibility on maps and local searches.
What role did citations play in local SEO success?
Consistent and authoritative local citations helped build trust with search engines, which in turn improved local ranking signals.
How did mobile search influence local SEO strategies?
The rise in mobile usage made it crucial for businesses to have mobile-friendly websites and fast-loading pages to appear prominently in local mobile search results.
Were customer reviews a major ranking factor in 2018?
Yes, authentic and frequent customer reviews influenced local search rankings and built social proof, encouraging more clicks and conversions.
Did schema markup enhance local visibility?
Implementing local business schema helped search engines better understand business details, increasing chances of appearing in rich results and featured snippets.
What mistakes did businesses commonly make in local SEO?
Common mistakes included inconsistent NAP details, neglecting Google My Business optimization, and failing to actively manage reviews or local citations.
How often should local SEO strategies have been updated?
Regular updates were necessary to stay aligned with Google’s evolving algorithms and to reflect any changes in business operations, services, or contact info.
Was content localization important for SEO in 2018?
Yes, creating content tailored to specific local audiences and events helped improve engagement and increased relevance in local search queries.