Focusing on these local SEO trends will work and help you dominate in the SERPs and earn more revenue in 2021.
Nowadays, every business is getting online. Customers are expecting to find their local companies in the search results. If you’re not there, you’re missing out. In 2021, local search is becoming more and more focused on the experience you’re offering to your online customers.
It’s no surprise that local searches make up a huge chunk of the SEO world. If you can get your local business in front of these searchers, there’s a good chance they’ll be walking through your door sometime later.
Because search is an integral part of the buyer’s journey, users would initially search for a business that provides what they need near them which means you don’t have to be afraid that you will not get customers from doing local SEO.
Local SEO Trends For Rising Up On The Internet In 2021
Mobile-first Indexing
Mobile-first indexing means that going forward, Google will predominantly use the mobile version of your site’s content for indexing and ranking. We recommend that you make sure that Googlebot can access and render your content; that your content is the same on desktop and mobile; structured data is present on both versions of your website; stay on top of mobile errors.
Voice Search
Voice search has a significant impact on local SEO. It is key to modern businesses because it increases online traffic; it creates a better customer experience; it gives you an advantage over competitors. Incorporating voice search optimization now really just gives you a better shot at engaging your customers, and at becoming more visible online.
Google My Business
Google My Business has always been important because it’s often the first thing your customers notice when they search for your business.
Key benefits:
-A completed GMB listing can single-handedly improve a business’s local SEO ranking.
-It sets an immediate first impression for searchers who see your business’s essential info listed on the right side of the interface.
-GMB has Google Maps integration, which makes it easier to find your business on the world’s most widely used mobile map and directions app.
-Direct messaging option — customers can send messages directly to your company phone or email via the GMB interface.
-Customer reviews are displayed under your GMB profile, giving your business social credibility.
Zero Click Results
Zero-click searches may rise even further as people become more mobile. But firstly let’s point out what exactly “zero-click results” are.
Zero click searches are searches that appear at the top of Google’s SERP, above organic search results. They provide answers to search queries without ever having to click through to a website and come in the form of:
- Featured Snippets
- Instant Answers
- Knowledge Graphs
- Photos
- Videos
- Shopping
- Maps/Local Pack
Zero click searches are all about satisfying the user’s search intent with quick and accurate answers. To rank for these snippets on Google, your business will need to focus on content optimization and local SEO.
Search Intent
There are four types of search intent. These include making a purchase, getting to a business’s website, getting information, browsing, and comparing products.
Google now tailors its results to meet the search intent. If you want your local business to rank, you need content that meets their search intent. Developing a frequently asked questions page, with content written in a natural style will help you target more local searches.
Chatbots
Over time, messaging and chatbots have quickly become the preferred method of communication between businesses and customers. These features are all ways that you can attract more consumers and drive engagement, the future outlook for chatbots is that businesses will automate simple payments and allow users to pay directly over live chat, this instant process will make the customer happy and improve customer satisfaction.
Online Reputation
Because of this, online mentions of your business matter more for your search rankings. Context matters for this. By linking out to your reviews on sites like Yelp, Trustpilot, and Facebook, you link your website to those reviews, making the connection for Google. When you respond professionally to your reviews, you’re improving engagement and showing Google that your business handles complaints and engages with customers. Brand engagement matters today, and Google rewards it.
Local SEO Is More Important Than Ever
In 2021, it is thought that local SEO will continue to become more popular with SEOs. We think that local SEO will become the “new normal” and develop faster. That’s because featured snippets provide an instant result at the top of SERPs which means users don’t even have to scroll down a page to find what they are looking for.
With local SEO, your priority is to rank for areas where your business reaches. Do not waste time and effort trying to rank for broad keywords. Of course, this does not mean that local SEO is easier, but it is much more attainable and practical. If done right, local SEO will allow you to tap more customers in your area and generate more sales for your business.
Closing Line:
Focusing on all these would give you a huge boost in rankings. Beyond a more personalized design, the user experience (UX) also needs to encapsulate core web vitals, and your content should be authoritative and trustworthy, and mobile-friendly. When you’ve built or remodeled your website, it’s time to improve your local SEO. At SEOmoft, we put these SEO trends to practice, gearing towards improving local SEO for all our customers and ranking their websites.
