Finding the Best Local SEO Company for Your Business

Searching for the right Local SEO company to help your business can be a challenge. There are a lot of options you out there, and you want to choose the right one for you. This article will help you find the best Local SEO company for you.

How a Local SEO Company Can Help Your Business

As a business owner, you realize the importance of your online presence and how SEO can do wonders for your success. In fact, nearly half of internet users search Google to find a new product. You want to make sure your marketing is top notch 24/7, in order to keep your organic traffic and search rank up to par. 

You seem to have everything that is the trifecta of digital marketing. A snazzy website, multiple business pages on social media, and even a Google Business page. Heck, you might even be SEO savvy, religiously reading articles like this and using different techniques to keep your online presence relevant. 

So why is your competitor constantly outranking you on search results and driving in more leads? Chances are they have a professional Local SEO company doing the job for them.

How Local SEO Differs from Traditional SEO Techniques

If you’re using traditional SEO techniques, like plugging in major keywords into your website content, then you’re on the right track. You know that your goal as a business is to appear as high as possible in search results (or SERPs, search engine results pages) for keywords. For example, if you had an ice cream shop in Chicago, Illinois, you would want your business to be in the top listing on Google in Chicago. Local SEO companies, like SEO Design Chicago, take that technique and go the extra mile.

As a small business owner, you want to be at the top search results when users search a keyword near a location, right?

One important thing that local SEO focuses its efforts on is getting your business placed on the Google Maps 3-pack. What’s the 3 pack? The Google 3-pack is how Google displays the top three local business results without having to click “more places.” So how does Google choose to rank companies in the 3-pack?

According to Google, local results are determined by relevance, distance and prominence. This means that its algorithm doesn’t just take how close a location is into account, but other factors as well. To better understand Google’s process, here are definitions of what each factor means.

• Relevance

This refers to how closely a nearby business matches to what a user is searching for. That’s why it’s important that your information is as complete and as detailed as possible. This way, Google can better match your business with prospective customers.

• Distance

What makes Google a great search engine for local businesses is that its algorithm will analyze how close it is from a location keyword that is searched. For example, if a user types in “bike shops near me” or “bike shops in Schaumburg,” Google will pop up the most relevant listings near them or in Schaumburg. Even if a location isn’t used, Google will still use the current location settings for its listings.

• Prominence

This has to do with how popular a business is. Usually more well-known or established businesses have a higher online prominence, thus leading to a higher search rank or being in the 3-pack. Factors such as numerous Google reviews or backlinks can increase your prominence on Google.

If your competitor shows up in the Google 3-pack and you don’t, they might be doing something you’re not. This might be why your snazzy website design may not be getting the recognition it deserves. It’s important to come up with a local SEO strategy and to help snag you a spot in the fab three. However, if you need more help, SEO Design Chicago is happy to assist you. 

Tips to Help You Find the Right Local SEO Company

We know that hiring a local SEO company is a big decision. Before you make the big decision to commit to one, we want to give you a few pointers to make this process easier. 

Search engines like Clutch are websites that specifically cater to searching for digital advertising agencies like you. What’s great about Clutch is that it uses verified reviews and accurate data to provide you with leading local agencies. However, this can be overwhelming as there are hundreds, if not thousands, of local SEO companies that are going to have a stellar rating. That’s why it’s good to take note of some tips when trying to decide among many great agencies. You want to find one that will specifically cater to your individual needs.

Here are a few major things to consider when deciding on a local SEO company:

• Check if a company actually provides local SEO services

As businesses are adapting to digital marketing at an exponential rate, SEO is becoming more of a diverse practice. You want to make sure that a company either provides excellent local SEO services or specializes in them. In fact, working with a company that specializes in SEO will help your business shift its focus on possible customers around your area.

• Check if a company will give a demo

Another great way to test the waters when searching for a local SEO company is to see if a company will provide a demo. This provides a nice sneak peek to see how a company handles SEO matters and what you can expect from them in the future.

Some companies offer a free SEO analysis where you can see where your website needs improvements. This way you can even make the improvements yourself if you’re still not sure you want to hire a company to do the work for you.

• Ask about the company’s SEO strategy and tools they use

Each company has a somewhat different approach to how they handle local SEO. Some might want to focus on your Google search ranking. Some might want to focus on your website’s design to ensure a good user experience.

There are also a lot of tools that make SEO easier for companies. You should inquire about the tools they use to get a good idea on how they approach SEO. You can also consider using these tools for yourself whenever you want to improve your SEO.

• Ask about the company’s approach to citations

Citations are used to mention your business’s contact information on websites, directories, apps, or social media platforms. Citations include phone number, address, and your business name.

What makes citations important? Google will use citations to rank companies in search results. This is why it’s important that a local SEO company has an effective strategy on citation placement. 

Local SEO Services

As mentioned before, it’s important to ask about strategies a local SEO company would use. This includes asking about the services they give for local SEO. In fact, SEO Design Chicago offers the following services that focus on local SEO:

• Google Business 

SEO Design Chicago offers Google Business services, which helps attract potential customers. Google Business is profile information that shows up when customers search for you or businesses similar to your on search results and maps. SEO Design Chicago recognizes the importance of Google Business and how it can build traffic for your website. 

• On-Page SEO

Another great local SEO service SEO Design Chicago provides is On-page SEO. On-page SEO focuses its efforts on optimizing your website such as adding backlinks, increasing relevant keywords, and properly formatting pages. Optimizing your On-page SEO can increase your search ranking by a long shot as it is one of the direct approaches to increasing website traffic.

• Content Creation

Content creation is responsible for embodying your brand. SEO Design Chicago has a team of content creators that recognize the importance of showcasing your business and products in a creative way. There are many different kinds of content creation, like social media posts, blogs, and even emails. 

Having good content as a business will not only increase traffic but has the potential to attract new customers. Consider hiring a content creation service to help your website.

Local SEO Solutions

As you can see, there are a lot of companies, like SEO Design Chicago, that offer a lot of solutions for local SEO. However, you as a business owner need to recognize what your goals are in order for companies to move forward with the right local SEO solutions. 

It’s important to remember that search engines will be the #1 important factor when approaching local SEO as many customers use them to find local businesses. 

When consulting with different companies about the services they offer, make sure that they mention the importance of search engines.

Whether it’s updating your Google Business, sprucing up your website, or needing an SEO analysis, our experts at SEO Design Chicago will be there to provide the services that cater your specific needs as a business. Contact SEO Design Chicago today to get started on improving your local SEO!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the difference between local SEO and traditional SEO?

While traditional SEO focuses on ranking for general keywords across broad geographic areas, local SEO specifically targets customers in your immediate geographic vicinity. Local SEO emphasizes appearing in Google’s 3-pack (the top three local business results on Google Maps), optimizing for location-based searches like “bike shops near me” or “ice cream shop in Chicago,” and ensuring your business information is consistent across local directories and citations.

Google’s local algorithm considers three main factors: relevance (how closely your business matches the search), distance (proximity to the searcher), and prominence (how well-known your business is through reviews and backlinks).

2. What is Google’s 3-pack and why is it important for my business?

Google’s 3-pack is how Google displays the top three local business results in search results and Google Maps without users having to click “more places.” This prime real estate appears prominently in search results and significantly increases your visibility to potential customers.

If your competitor appears in the 3-pack and you don’t, they’re likely capturing more local leads and traffic. Getting into the 3-pack requires optimizing for Google’s local ranking factors: relevance, distance, and prominence, which is where a professional local SEO company can make a significant difference.

3. How do I verify that an SEO company actually specializes in local SEO services?

Not all SEO companies focus on or excel at local SEO, so it’s crucial to verify their expertise. Ask specifically about their local SEO services and strategies during consultations. Request case studies or examples of businesses they’ve helped rank in Google’s 3-pack. Inquire about their experience with Google Business optimization, local citation building, and location-based keyword strategies.

A true local SEO specialist will discuss the importance of local ranking factors like proximity, relevance, and prominence, and should be able to explain how they’ll help you compete for local searches in your specific market area.

4. What should I expect from a free SEO analysis or demo?

A reputable local SEO company should offer either a free SEO analysis or demo to showcase their capabilities and identify opportunities for your business. This typically includes an audit of your current Google Business profile, analysis of your local search rankings, review of your website’s local optimization, assessment of your citation consistency across directories, and comparison with local competitors.

The analysis should provide actionable insights about where your website needs improvements and give you a clear picture of what you can expect from their services. Some companies even provide recommendations you can implement yourself if you’re still deciding whether to hire professional help.

5. What tools and strategies should I ask about when evaluating local SEO companies?

Different companies use various approaches and tools for local SEO, so it’s important to understand their methodology. Ask about the specific tools they use for local keyword research, citation management, review monitoring, and local rank tracking. Inquire about their strategy for optimizing your Google Business profile, their approach to building local citations, and how they handle on-page SEO for location-based searches. Also ask about their content creation process and how they’ll help build local relevance and prominence for your business. Understanding their tools and strategies will help you gauge their expertise and determine if their approach aligns with your business goals.

6. Why are citations important for local SEO and what should I know about citation strategies?

Citations are mentions of your business’s contact information (name, address, phone number) on websites, directories, apps, or social media platforms. Google uses citations as a trust signal to verify your business information and determine local search rankings. Consistent citations across multiple platforms help establish your business’s legitimacy and local presence.

A good local SEO company should have an effective citation strategy that includes identifying relevant local directories, ensuring consistent business information across all platforms, and regularly monitoring and updating citations. Ask potential SEO companies about their citation audit process and how they maintain citation consistency over time.

7. What core local SEO services should I expect from a professional company?

A comprehensive local SEO company should offer several key services. Google Business optimization is essential for managing your profile information that appears in search results and maps. On-page SEO focuses on optimizing your website with local keywords, proper page formatting, and relevant backlinks to increase local search rankings.

Content creation should embody your brand while targeting local customers through blog posts, social media content, and location-specific pages. Additional services might include local citation building, review management, local link building, and ongoing local rank monitoring. Make sure the company you choose offers a well-rounded approach to local SEO rather than focusing on just one aspect.

8. How do I find and evaluate local SEO companies in my area?

Start by using platforms like Clutch that specialize in listing digital advertising agencies with verified reviews and accurate data. However, since there are thousands of highly-rated companies, focus on finding one that caters to your specific needs. Look for companies that actually specialize in local SEO rather than general SEO services. Check their case studies and client testimonials for businesses similar to yours.

Schedule consultations with multiple companies to compare their strategies, ask for free analyses or demos, and evaluate their understanding of local search factors. Remember that the cheapest option isn’t always the best – focus on finding a company that demonstrates clear expertise in local SEO and understands your specific market and business goals.