Arkansas Internet Marketing and Arkansas Inbound Marketing Blog

As a small business owner, you may wonder why local SEO is so important. After all, doesn’t everyone just use Google when looking for something?  The answer is no. People use a variety of search engines, but more importantly, they use various search methods. 

When it comes to local SEO, your potential customers are looking for you in a variety of ways. If you’re not using local SEO to draw attention to your business, you could miss out on a massive chunk of your potential customer base. 

How Local SEO Can Benefit Your Business

Local SEO is critical to your business's success because it allows you to reach customers looking for your products and services in your local area. Think about it. When someone searches on Google, they are typically looking for something specific. They may be looking for a product or service in their local area, or they may be looking for information on a particular topic. 

If you can optimize your website and your local listings for the keywords people are searching for, you’ll be able to reach them when they are actively looking for what you offer.  As you can see, you must ensure your website and your local listings are optimized for local search to get your target audience. 

Here are a few tips to help you get started: 

Optimize your website for local keywords. 

Make sure your website includes the name of your city and state in your titles and your content. Use local keywords throughout your site to inform search engines that you want to be found by people in your area. 

Get reviews from your customers. 

Online reviews are essential for local SEO. Make it easy for your customers to leave reviews by providing links on your website and in your email signature. You can also encourage customers to leave reviews by offering discounts or giveaways. 

Monitor your online reputation. 

In addition to reviews, your online reputation includes what people say about you on social media, in forums, and in blog comments. Monitor your online reputation regularly and quickly respond to negative comments and reviews. 

Stay updated with the latest local SEO trends. 

Local SEO is constantly changing, so staying up-to-date with the latest trends is crucial. Subscribe to blogs and attend local SEO conferences and meetups. 

How to Optimize Your Local SEO Efforts

Optimizing your website for local search is one of the best ways to ensure your business is visible online. Local SEO is a set of strategies and tactics that you can use to improve your website's visibility in local search results.

Many benefits come with optimizing your website for local search. For one, it can help you to reach a larger audience. People searching for local businesses are usually more likely to convert into customers than those searching online. Additionally, local SEO can help to improve your website's organic search rankings, making it more likely that people will find your site when they search for keywords related to your business.

It is also essential to make sure that your website is mobile-friendly. More and more people are using their mobile devices to search for businesses, so your site must be designed to be viewed on a mobile phone or tablet. You can do this by using a responsive design or by creating a separate mobile version of your website.

The Benefits of Hiring a Local SEO Expert

They Know the Local Search Engine Landscape

A local SEO expert is intimately familiar with the local search engine landscape. They know which directories and citation sites are most important for local businesses and have a keen understanding of how the local algorithm works. This knowledge is critical for helping your business achieve a high ranking in local search results.

They Understand Local Keyword Research

Another important ranking factor for local businesses is keyword research. A local SEO expert understands how to properly research and target local keywords that will help your business rank higher in SERPs.

They Can Help You Build Local Links

Link building is another important ranking factor for local businesses. A local SEO expert can help you build high-quality links from local directories and citation sites.

Takeaway

As the world of online marketing continues to evolve, the importance of local SEO cannot be understated. If you want to succeed with your online marketing efforts, then you need to ensure that you are optimizing your local SEO.

Do you need SEO services in Arkansas? Turn to Vertical Studio. We help our clients find the answers they need for their business by helping them ask the right questions. Contact us.

Google is the most visited website around the globe. It has an impressive 92 percent of the overall search engine usage rate. Establishing a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is a great way to attract potential customers to your business through Google search and the Google Maps application.

What Is a Google Business Profile?

Google Business Profile is a free tool from Google that enables businesses to create a profile that can be seen across Google services. This profile includes information about the business, such as its location, services, and products. It also allows businesses to upload photos. 

Creating a profile is a great way to increase visibility across Google services and may result in your information showing up in Google Search, Google Maps, and Google Shopping. This free tool is only available to businesses providing in-person services, such as restaurants, stores, or consultants. Online-only businesses must use other Google tools, like Google Ads and Google Analytics, to promote their business.

Here are four ways an optimized Google Business Profile helps you get more customers:

• Get Discovered in Google and Google Maps

Creating a Google Business Profile helps ensure customers can easily find and connect with your business. It's a great way to reach local customers searching online, increasing the chances of your business coming up in relevant searches. Additionally, it can boost your local SEO, as a local business listing is more likely to appear when people search for a nearby business using Google Maps.

• Verify Location(s) for Customers to Find

Ensuring your business location is verified can help you appear more prominently in local search results on Google products such as Maps and Search. Additionally, having a verified location can boost your business in terms of the distance ranking factor, improving your chances of being seen by potential customers. You could request a verification postcard if you did not verify your location during the account creation process.

• Control Your Online Business Information

Google Business Profile is a tool that allows business owners to manage the information about their business that appears on Google. It lets you control the contact information, business hours, services offered, and other details available to people who find your business on Google. It can also be used to post updates about changes to your business, like if you've expanded services, temporarily closed, or fully reopened during times of emergency. Additionally, Google Business Profiles have a high ranking on local search engine results, meaning any information you post will appear above third-party sites that may have outdated information.

• Build Trust Through Reviews

Reviews are a great way to build trust and credibility with customers. Through star ratings and detailed reviews, Google allows customers to share their thoughts and experiences with businesses. This helps other potential customers decide which businesses to visit and products to buy. Seeing all positive and negative reviews on a public platform can be nerve-wracking, but it's better than all positive reviews since it is more believable.

Conclusion

Optimizing your Google Business Profile can effectively attract more customers and increase visibility for your business. By having a complete and accurate profile, potential customers can find your business more easily and better understand what you offer. Additionally, by taking advantage of the features a Google Business Profile offers, such as photos, reviews, and posts, you can further increase the chances of potential customers taking action. Doing so can help you make the most of your online presence and reach a larger audience.

Vertical Studio is your internet marketing and inbound marketing partner in Arkansas. Get the maximum impact from your website! We work with several tools and services to ensure that your website is in a Continuous Improvement Process. If you need Google Analytics implementation, we can help. Get in touch with us today and let’s talk!

If you are a business owner or marketing professional, you understand the importance of local SEO. With the right strategy, you can increase your visibility and reach potential customers in your area. However, local SEO is a complex field, and many common mistakes can negatively affect your rankings. To ensure your local SEO efforts are successful, here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid.

No Google My Business Listing

One of the most important elements of local SEO is a Google My Business listing. A GMB listing allows you to provide essential information about your business, including your address, hours, and contact information. Not only does this make it easier for customers to find you, but it also helps Google to determine your local rankings. If you don’t have a GMB listing, you’re missing out on a critical local SEO opportunity.

Inaccurate or Duplicate Listings

Having an accurate and up-to-date GMB listing is important, but it’s not enough. You also must ensure that all of your citations (listings on other websites) are accurate and consistent. This includes the name, address, and phone number of your business. If there are any discrepancies, it can confuse search engines and hurt your rankings. Additionally, it’s important to avoid duplicate listings, as this can negatively impact your SEO.

No Local Content

Content is an important part of SEO, and local content is no exception. You should focus on creating content that is relevant to your local community and provides value to your target audience. This can include blog posts, videos, infographics, and more. Additionally, you should make sure to include local keywords and phrases in your content to improve your local SEO further.

Ignoring Reviews

Online reviews are an important part of local SEO. They can help you to build trust with potential customers and can also improve your rankings. For this reason, it’s important to monitor your reviews and respond to them promptly. You should also encourage customers to leave reviews, as this can help to boost your visibility and reputation.

Not Optimizing for Mobile

With more people using mobile devices to search for businesses, it's essential to optimize your website and content for mobile. This includes making sure your website is mobile-friendly, with a responsive design, as well as optimizing your content for mobile search. Not optimizing for mobile could cause you to miss out on potential customers, so make sure to prioritize this aspect of local SEO.

Not Using Local Keywords

Local keywords are key phrases that include your city or region, and they are an important part of local SEO. Make sure to include local keywords in your website content and your Google My Business listing to ensure that you appear in local search results.

Forgetting to Monitor Your Rankings

Finally, monitoring your rankings is important to ensure that your local SEO efforts have the desired effect. Make sure to track your rankings regularly, and adjust your strategy as needed to ensure that you remain visible in local search results.

The Bottom Line

Local SEO can be a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes and industries. However, it is important to be aware of the common local SEO mistakes to ensure maximum success. The most important things to remember are to ensure that your website is optimized for local searches, that you are utilizing the correct local keywords, and that you are creating quality content for your customers. 

Vertical Studio is a reputable digital marketing company in Arkansas. We can help you boost your local SEO. Get in touch with us.

When it comes to local businesses, ranking on Google Maps is essential to success. If a local business isn't showing up on Google Maps, they're likely missing out on potential customers, and their business could suffer as a result. But why is it that some local companies struggle to rank on Google Maps?

Unverified Google My Business

An unverified Google My Business listing means that the business hasn't been officially recognized by Google, which can lead to a lack of visibility in the search results. This is because Google only shows verified businesses in its search results, so an unverified listing will not appear in the results.

The first step to verifying your Google My Business listing is to create an account. You will need to provide basic information, including your business name, address, and phone number. Once you have created your account, you must verify your listing. This can be done through a phone call or a postcard sent to your business address. After completing the verification process, your listing will appear in Google's search results.

No Local Citations

Local citations are a critical factor in local search engine optimization (SEO) and help businesses to rank higher on Google Maps. Local citations refer to the mention of a business in an online directory, such as Yelp, Yellow Pages, or even a local newspaper. These citations help Google Maps to understand the relevance of a business for a particular search query, and as a result, the company appears higher in the local search rankings.

Unfortunately, many local businesses struggle to rank on Google Maps due to a lack of local citations. Without local citations, local businesses are not able to take advantage of the visibility that comes with a higher ranking on Google Maps.

The primary reason for the lack of local citations is that many local businesses are not actively engaging in local SEO. They are not taking the necessary steps to create and maintain a strong presence on local directories and platforms, which is essential for building local citations.

Furthermore, local businesses often do not have the resources or know-how to properly optimize their online presence and ensure that they are listed on the right local directories. Without the proper optimization, businesses can miss out on key local SEO opportunities that would help them to build local citations and improve their ranking on Google Maps.

Finally, many local businesses are unaware of the importance of local citations and their role in local SEO. Without the necessary knowledge and understanding, businesses cannot take the necessary steps to improve their local SEO and obtain the visibility they need to rank higher on Google Maps.

No Google Reviews

Google Reviews are an essential tool for local businesses looking to improve their ranking on Google Maps. As a business, having customer reviews on Google can help to boost your reputation and show potential customers that you are trustworthy. However, many local businesses struggle to gain Google Reviews, which can be detrimental to their ranking on Google Maps.

First and foremost, it is crucial to understand that Google Reviews are essential for local businesses. This is because Google takes into account the reviews when ranking local businesses on its Maps service. If you don't have any reviews or have a low number of reviews, it will be difficult to rank well on Google Maps.

Another reason your local business may struggle to rank on Google Maps is that you don't have a good reputation. If customers have had a negative experience with your business, they are unlikely to leave a positive review on Google. As such, ensuring that your customers are happy and that you provide them with the best possible service is vital.

Final Thoughts

Local businesses are struggling to rank on Google Maps due to various factors. To maximize visibility and rankings on Google Maps, local businesses should optimize their website with local keywords, obtain positive reviews, properly update business information, and leverage local directories. With the right strategy, local businesses can increase their visibility and gain the advantage of increased foot traffic and better brand recognition.

Improve your ranking on Google Maps with the help of Vertical Studio. We are a digital marketing company in Arkansas that helps our clients find the answers they need for their business by helping them ask the right questions. We make sure that our clients have the right strategy in place to take their business to the next level. Get in touch with us today!

AdWords and SEO are two of the most effective digital marketing strategies. Both are incredibly powerful tools, and when used together, they can be quite effective in driving traffic to your website and generating more sales. However, it can take time to determine which one is best for your business. In this article, we'll compare the two strategies and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each, so you can pick which one is best for your marketing efforts:

What Is Google AdWords?

AdWords is a paid advertising platform offered by Google, allowing businesses to create text, image, and video ads that appear in Google's search results and on other websites throughout the internet. AdWords allows businesses to target specific groups of people, choose specific keywords and phrases, and pay for each click on their ads. AdWords also offers reporting and analytics tools that allow businesses to track the results of their campaigns.

What Is SEO?

Search engine optimization or SEO, is the optimization of websites and content for search engines like Google and Bing. SEO involves creating content relevant to your business and targeted keywords and ensuring that your website is optimized for search engines and users. SEO also involves making sure that your website is accessible to search engine crawlers, as well as optimizing your website's code and structure.

AdWords Vs. SEO

AdWords and SEO are two of the most popular methods of online marketing. They both have their strengths and weaknesses, and picking one over the other depends on the needs and goals of the business.

The main advantage of using AdWords is that it's a fast and effective way to get your message to your target audience. AdWords ads are targeted to specific keywords, so you can ensure that your ads are seen by potential customers actively looking for your products or services. AdWords is a pay-per-click (PPC) platform, so you only pay when someone opens your ad. This makes AdWords a cost-effective way to get your message out.

On the other hand, SEO is a digital marketing strategy that focuses on improving a website's ranking on SERPs. SEO involves optimizing a website's content, structure, and code to appear higher on SERPs. Optimizing a website for SEO can take time and effort, but it's a long-term strategy that can yield results for years.

The advantage of SEO is that it can help you achieve higher rankings on SERPs without having to pay for ads. Additionally, SEO can help you establish credibility and trust with your target audience. As you improve your website's ranking, you'll also strengthen your brand's reputation as an authority in your industry.

When it comes to deciding between AdWords and SEO, it depends on your particular goals and needs.

Conclusion

Google AdWords and SEO are both viable marketing techniques for businesses. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and the best option for any particular business depends on their individual needs and goals. AdWords is a great option for businesses that want to quickly increase visibility and drive traffic, while SEO is a better option for businesses that want to build long-term value and brand loyalty. Ultimately, the key to success lies in understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each option and making an educated decision.

Vertical Studio offers AdWords and SEO services in Arkansas that can greatly benefit your business. Get in touch with Vertical Studio to find out what we can do for you!