Local SEO Guide for Growing Your Business (Even through a Pandemic)

There's a pandemic spreading across the world. And with it, a ton of doubt on whether or not businesses should maintain their SEO efforts.

And that's logical, especially with all of the companies shutting down due to local governments ordering lockdowns.

But even if your business is affected, does this mean you should forego your content strategy?

In this local SEO guide, we'll take a closer look at why you may want to second-guess this reasoning.

Why You Shouldn't Allow Covid-19 to Halt Your Local SEO

The global economy is on shaky ground, so it makes sense to cut unreasonable costs wherever you find them in your business.

However, there are five key reasons why you shouldn't cut ties with your local SEO.

1. It Can Keep Your Business Cash-Flow Afloat

It doesn't make sense to remove a tool your business uses to drive traffic, customers, and money to your company. With local SEO, you're helping to keep your business at the top of search engines, so shoppers will consider purchasing from your brand.

Remember, search engines is where consumers turn when they're in need of a product or service.

2. Local SEO is Measurable (& Flexible)

What's great about SEO is that you can attribute where your traffic and sales are coming from. For instance, you can pinpoint which blog posts, landing pages, and product descriptions are leading to a purchase.

Because of this, you can direct more of your time and money to the content that produces the best results.

Also, your marketers will understand which keyword phrases offer the strongest buyer intent so you can focus more on those.

3. Scarcity Boosts Online Searches

We're seeing a major issue with shortages (#toiletpaperapocalypse). But it's not just in grocery stores. Now that restaurants and shops have to shut down, people are looking online to place orders.

This is why you'll find companies like Domino's hiring 10,000 workers -- people are stuck at home and ordering food like there's no tomorrow.

If you can be where your customers search and you're offering what they need, then you can see your sales boost exponentially. And this is especially true if you're able to ship across the state and country.

4. People Are Still Buying Products & Services

Just because folks are unable to shop physically doesn't mean they're not buying at all. The shift has just gone to digital.

Restaurants are adjusting to this by offering curb-side pickups and delivery services. If you can be flexible for your customers, they'll buy from you throughout the pandemic.

And since most are working from home, they still have spending money.

By following a local SEO guide, you can ensure you're ads, content, and business listings are found by an audience who's ready to buy.

5. Things Won't Be Like This Forever

Once the pandemic subsides, who will be left standing amongst the ashes? When local shoppers are ready to go back out for the hunt, they'll use Google to find places to purchase from.

This means the businesses that tossed their SEO strategy will have their rankings overrun by those that remained steadfast.

Your Quick Local SEO Guide

Alright, so what should you be during through the Covid-19 pandemic to keep your local SEO afloat?

Claim Your Google My Business

Well, if you haven't already, then it's a good idea to claim your business listings on directories (especially Google My Business). This can help your visibility when mobile users and Google Maps browsers conduct a search for local products and services.

So make sure to optimize it with your target keywords and ensure all of the categories and information is accurate.

Create Local Content

Google (and people) love fresh content. This means you need to continue updating your blog with new posts. Focus on delivering useful information and tips so your customers will want to read and share it with others.

You'll want to implement localized keywords, such as those that pertain to the cities and neighborhoods you service.

Also, be sure your website copy is attractive and engaging to drive more conversions.

Promote Your Business with Google Reviews

When consumers shop online for a product or service, they resort to customer reviews before making a decision. So what your patrons have to say about you matters.

Be sure you're asking customers to leave feedback on your GMB listing to show prospects you're worth every penny.

Also, be sure you're responding to your reviewers (both the lovers and haters). This shows you're responsive and active in your community.

A company that tries to resolve issues with disgruntled customers is typically viewed as a delight to do business with.

Use this Simple Local SEO Guide to Come Out On Top

After the pandemic is over, where will your business be? Hopefully, it'll be ready and prepared to re-open its doors to the public.

And hopefully, there will be people waiting in line to get inside because you took your local SEO guide seriously.

If you're ready to put all of this into action, then you'll find these helpful tools worth checking out:

• get reviews (request feedback and reply to reviewers)
• increase your web presence (create listings on all the major directories)
• contactless payment (accept online payments for shelter-in-place customers)

So there you have it -- everything you need to keep your local SEO alive and kicking. Check out the tools for free today!