Local SEO for service area businesses : A complete Guide

Written by AE Tech Designs Team

Published: Novembers, 11 2023

Local SEO has become an effective tool for service area businesses. Did you know 93% of local searches result in people taking action, like calling or visiting a store?

For businesses like plumbers, electricians, and home repair companies, local SEO ensures their services are visible to those actively seeking them online.

If you want to improve your online presence and connect with local customers. You’re in the right place! This guide will give you some action local seo tips that can leverage your business’s local ranking. Let’s get started!

What is Local SEO, and Why is it Important for Service Businesses?

SEO (Search engine optimization) ensures your business pops up in Google when your nearby customers are looking for you.

It’s crucial because it drives your visibility like a giant billboard right when and where your potential customers need you the most.

For service businesses, this means you’re only a quick search away from a homeowner with a burst pipe or a business needing urgent IT support.

And here’s something to chew on: 76% of local mobile searches lead to a visit to a store within 24 hours. That statistic showcases SEO’s direct impact on foot traffic and sales.

What is a Service-Area Business?

A service-area business operates in a particular geographic area. You don’t necessarily have a storefront; your office might be your van or home.

But whether you’re a locksmith, a carpet cleaner, or a mobile dog groomer, you’ve got a specific’ service area’ where you do your magic. Your customers don’t come to you – you go to them.

What Industry Needs SEO the Most?

This might come as a surprise, but virtually every industry can benefit from SEO. However, these industries benefited the most.

Professional services
Home repairs and renovations
Medical practices
Online businesses
Real estate
Multi-location businesses
Restaurants
Pet services

being at the top of local search results can be a game-changer. Why? Because when emergencies or immediate needs crop up, your potential customers turn to search engines first.

What Should Your Service Pages Include?

Your service pages should be more than a list of places you serve. They need to reflect the unique needs and context of those areas –Here are the key elements that should be included on your service area pages:

Service Title and Description: Clearly state the service’s name and briefly describe what it entails. This should be prominently displayed at the top of the page.
Benefits and Value Proposition: Explain the benefits of your service and how it can address the needs or problems of your potential customers. Highlight the unique value your service offers.
Features and Details: Provide a list of specific features or components of your service. Include details such as specifications, methods, or processes involved.
Visual Content: Incorporate high-quality images, graphics, or videos visually representing your service. Visuals can help visitors understand your offering better.
Testimonials and Reviews: Showcase feedback and testimonials from satisfied customers. Positive reviews can build trust and credibility.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions): Anticipate common questions potential customers might have and provide clear answers. This can help streamline the decision-making process.
Call-to-Action (CTA): Encourage visitors to take action, such as contacting you, signing up, or making a purchase. Use compelling CTAs to guide them.
Contact Information: Make it easy for visitors to contact you. Include contact forms, phone numbers, email addresses, and your physical location if applicable.

How to do Local SEO for Services Area Businesses?

Local SEO for service area businesses is about being visible and relevant to your community.

It starts with claiming your digital real estate on Google Business profile.

ensuring your website speaks the local language of your customers through targeted local keywords, and creating content that resonates with your local area.

Optimize for Google Business Profile listing.

Your Google Business profile (formerly known as Google My Business) is a cornerstone of Local SEO.

It’s the information hub that lets local customers know everything they need to know about your business.

making it essential to optimize your GBP listing with accurate and detailed information.

Create or Claim Your GMB Listing

The journey to local discovery begins with creating or claiming your GBP listing.

This step is foundational, ensuring you control the information Google displays about your business in local search results and Google Maps.

Verify Your Business

Verification is a trust signal to Google and your customers. It’s Google’s way of ensuring that your business is legitimate and that you are indeed who you say you are, which is crucial for ranking in the local pack.

Complete Your Business Profile

A complete GMB profile is more than just an address and phone number; it’s a snapshot of your business.

Fill in all details, including your business name, type of business, and service information.

This helps Google match your business with the right searches and informs customers, thus improving your seo efforts.

Choose Right Categories

Selecting the correct categories on your GBP listing is vital. It tells what kind of customers should see your business listing.

Be as specific as possible—this helps Google understand exactly what you offer and improves your chances of showing up in the right local search results.

Set Operating Hours

Your operating hours inform customers when they can expect your services.

For a service-area business, it’s also a signal of your availability for emergency calls or after-hours service. which can be a deciding factor for customers in need.

Add Service Areas

Define the geographical area you serve in your GMB profile. This doesn’t just help with local SEO; it’s about setting customer expectations.

If you’re a plumber who services a large metropolitan area, say so. Customers need to know if their location is within the scope of your service offering.

Business Description

Your business description is a chance to tell your story. It should encompass your values, your service offering, and what sets you apart.

Remember, 72% of consumers trust businesses with a complete and accurate GMB listing. A compelling description can be a significant trust signal for customers.

Upload High-Quality Photos and Video

Photos and videos give a face to your name, offering a glimpse of your team, your work, and what customers can expect.

They are a powerful tool to showcase your service-area business. They can influence customer perception, encouraging them to choose you over competitors.

Monitor and Respond to Reviews

Reviews are the backbone of local business credibility. Responding to all positive and negative reviews shows that you value customer feedback and are proactive about customer service.

This engagement can help improve your seo rankings and foster trust with customers.

Post Regularly

Regular posts on your GMB profile can showcase your expertise, share updates, and keep your business relevant.

This ongoing engagement is a subtle yet powerful way to maintain seo rankings and keep your business front-of-mind for your customers.

Optimize Your Website for Organic Results

Your website should be your digital storefront; optimizing it for SEO can significantly increase your visibility in organic search results. Here’s how to ensure your website is up to the task.

Local Keywords Research

Identifying the right keywords is critical for effective Local SEO. These are terms and phrases that people in your area are typing into search engines.

Integrating these into your website’s content can help you rank for those specific searches.

Keywords Research Tools

Leverage seo tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or Moz’s Keyword Explorer to identify which keywords are most relevant to your area and industry.

These tools offer insights into the search volume and competition, helping refine your seo strategies.

Create a Dedicated Services Page

Your website should have a dedicated page for each service you offer. This improves user experience and helps search engines understand and rank your services.

Each dedicated service page should be focused and optimized for local search engine optimization.

Creating Local Content

Content that speaks to your local audience or addresses local issues is incredibly engaging. This could be blog posts about local events, advice columns on region-specific problems, or case studies of local projects.

Local content establishes your business as a community figure and can enhance local seo efforts.

Remember to keep the content valuable and informative, always aiming to solve problems or answer questions that your local customers might have.

Technical SEO for Local Businesses

Technical SEO is crucial for your website – it’s not always visible, but without it, nothing works correctly.

Ensuring your site’s technical health means improving its structure so search engines can easily crawl and index your content.

A technical seo audit can help you identify and fix issues like broken links, slow loading times, and mobile responsiveness.

A technically sound site provides a better user experience, a key factor in local search engine results pages (SERPs).

Managing Online Reviews

As we’ve established, managing online reviews is crucial. In a world where 72% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, they are gold.

How to Get More Reviews

Ask satisfied customers for reviews.
Provide excellent service.
Make leaving reviews easy.
Use email campaigns and social media.
Provide a special incentive as a token of appreciation for writing a review.
Add review links to your website.
Respond to all reviews.
Consider incentives (carefully).
Request specific feedback.

Remember, the more positive your reviews, the better your local seo rankings will likely be.

Building Local Citations

Local citations—mentions of your business name, address, and phone number online—are a cornerstone of Local SEO. They help people find your business and can also impact local search engine rankings.

Building citations involves getting listed in local business directories, online Yellow Pages, and industry-specific directories.

Ensure your information is consistent and accurate across all platforms to build credibility and visibility.

Perform a Local Link Building Campaign

Link building for local SEO focuses on acquiring backlinks from relevant and authoritative websites in your local area. This can involve:

Creating business listings on relevant directory sites.
Submitting guest posts to local industry publications or blogs.
Building relationships with local businesses and organizations for potential cross-promotions or partnerships.
Participating in local online forums and communities: Becoming an active member of local forums can help you gain trust and place your website link where appropriate.
Creating local content that is valuable and likely to be shared or linked to.
Regularly check your backlink profile to ensure the links are valid and beneficial.

Measuring and Tracking SEO Performance

You need to measure and track performance to know if your local SEO strategies are working. Key metrics to track include:

Your search rankings for targeted local keywords
Your visibility in local pack listings
The quantity and quality of your online reviews
Your website’s organic traffic from local searches

Tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and specialized SEO platforms can help you monitor these metrics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Your local seo for service area businesses doesn’t end with a set-it-and-forget-it approach.

With 76% of local mobile searches leading to a visit to a store within 24 hours, it’s clear that local SEO directly impacts foot traffic and sales.

And because 70% of local searchers are likely to visit stores within five miles, local SEO is also key to attracting nearby customers.

As you develop an effective local SEO strategy, remember that AE Tech Designs offers expert Local SEO services tailored to your business needs.

Our team of SEO specialists is dedicated to helping you achieve local seo success. Contact us today to find out how we can boost your online presence and help you dominate the local search rankings.