Summary
- When starting a local SEO campaign, the first step is to analyze the competition using tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs.
- For a highly competitive market like junk removal in Austin, start with local service ads because they are prioritized by Google.
- Traditional search ads are also worth investing in, but if the budget is tight, there’s an alternative strategy.
- Having a keyword-rich business name significantly helps in ranking within the local pack. It’s crucial to include either the location or primary service in the business name.
- The most important variable for ranking in the local pack is the business’s physical location. Ensure your address is in the core of the city you want to rank in.
- After location, the second critical factor is acquiring positive reviews. The top competitors often have over 500 reviews. You need to match or exceed their review acquisition rate to catch up.
- If the competition is fierce, targeting smaller surrounding cities before targeting the main city can be a strategic move.
- Before starting any SEO work, focus on Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO). Efficient CRO ensures that website traffic is converted into leads or sales.
- Ensure your website’s call-to-action buttons have enough contrast and that the font is easy to read. Also, place important contact information above the fold for easy access.
- Remove outdated SEO practices like meta keyword stuffing as this doesn’t help with rankings and can be detrimental.
- Ensure that each page is hyper-focused on its main keyword and city. Optimize the title, meta description, and on-page content specifically for that keyword and location.
- The content should be original and high quality. Using AI content as a draft can help, but always personalize it with specific details about your business and add unique elements to stand out.
- Use tools like Rankability to optimize content with NLP (Natural Language Processing) keywords to ensure high relevance.
- Build a sitemap where each service you offer has its dedicated, localized page. Utilize secondary keywords and support assets to create a comprehensive network of relevant content.
- For backlink building, start with citation campaigns to get a strong base layer of links. Services like Lenic or press releases can help.
- Secure all social media profiles to build further legitimacy and branded backlinks.
- Target localized backlinks by identifying and reaching out to specific local directories, sponsorships, and opportunities listed on sites related to Austin.
- Join local Chambers of Commerce and pursue local media coverage as these provide high-quality backlinks.
- For advanced link-building, consider investing in digital PR services like search intelligence, which can secure strong backlinks difficult for competitors to replicate.
The steps outlined provide a comprehensive approach to winning the competitive battle for local SEO rankings.
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How To Take Action
I would suggest implementing some simple and cost-effective strategies to boost your local SEO, especially if you’re a small business, entrepreneur, or are looking to grow personally. Here’s how you can get started:
- Analyze Competitors: Use free trials of tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to see what your competitors are doing and to identify their keywords. This will help shape your SEO strategy and understand the competition.
- Local Service Ads: If you’re in a highly competitive market, begin by setting up Local Service Ads (LSAs) on Google. They are prioritized and can give you immediate visibility. This doesn’t have to be expensive; you can control your budget tightly with LSAs.
- Business Name Optimization: Make sure your business name includes keywords related to your service and location. For example, if you do junk removal in Austin, consider something like “Austin Junk Removal Experts.” This simple tweak can make a big difference in search rankings.
- Acquire Positive Reviews: Encourage your clients to leave positive reviews. A system or reminder, like a follow-up email or a card handed to them after service, can help. Get about 500 positive reviews to be competitive.
- Local Focus: Start targeting surrounding smaller cities for less competitive keywords. This helps you gain traction and build a base before attacking larger markets.
- CRO: Ensure your website converts visitors into leads by optimizing your call-to-action buttons and making sure they stand out. Place contact info prominently on your webpage.
- Clean Up Old SEO Practices: Get rid of outdated elements like meta keyword stuffing. Focus on having each page centered on a specific keyword and city.
- Create Original Content: Use AI to draft content but personalize it by including specific details about your business. Tools like Rankability can optimize this content further using NLP keywords.
- Build a Sitemap: Create specific pages for each service and location. Optimize each page with secondary keywords and support content. A well-structured sitemap enhances relevance and search engine visibility.
- Backlinks: Start with simple citations and press releases to build a base of strong, localized backlinks. You can also secure all social media profiles for additional branded backlinks.
- Local Directories and Sponsorships: Get listed on local directories and consider small sponsorships for local events to earn more localized backlinks and build community presence.
By following these steps, you can effectively enhance your local SEO without significant upfront investments.
Quotes by Wiki Wayne
“First of all it’s going to be waste of time and effort because you know the point of doing SEO is to make more money in your business”
– Wiki Wayne
“You want to have contrast so you don’t want your your call to action button to match your headings that actually causes a contrast issue”
– Wiki Wayne
“So getting someone to fill out a form call your phone number those are most important but some of the the kind of less important but still certainly help is scrolling is dwell time how long they actually stay on the site if they’re clicking on second Pages all those things those are all positive user signals”
– Wiki Wayne
“By the further you get pushed down the page the worse your CTR is going to be and that means the less organic traffic you’re going to be getting”
– Wiki Wayne
“In the realm of family fun few things evoke the image of joyous laughter and boundless energy”
– Wiki Wayne
