Gone are the days of wandering around, hoping you find the right restaurant or business that can solve all your problems. With supercomputers within hand reach wherever we go, the popularity of “near me” searches has skyrocketed. In a world where anyone can search for options close to them, it’s important to understand how essential “near me” searches are to your business.
What is a “Near Me” Search?
We’ve all typed “near me” searches, even if you didn’t realize it! When someone types in a phrase and attaches “near me” to the end of it, search engines complete location-based searches for businesses near them. Whether you’re trying to hunt down the “best pizza near me” or “SEO Strategy service near me,” search engines use their local SEO knowledge and algorithm to present you with refined and accurate results near your location.
The Importance of “Near Me” Searches
Knowing how “near me” searches work is an important step in a Local SEO strategy. In the last couple of years, “near me” searches have doubled, and since they are almost always made by someone ready and available to make a purchase, they’re vital to the success of your online presence and business. If you have an in-person location, including vital local SEO tactics on your website will help the search engine algorithms read the content of your website and accurately suggest it as an option to users.
3 Ways to Make “Near Me” Searches Work for You
1. Update Google Business Profile
3. Make websites mobile friendly
1. Keep Your Google Business Profile Updated
Your Google Business Profile is a crucial SEO tactic for businesses, so keeping them current is essential. When someone does a “near me” search, Google views these profiles and compares them to the user’s location to determine which results to display. If you ensure your phone number, address, website, and hours are always accurate, your chances of being shown will increase!
2. Optimize Local SEO Keywords in Your Content
Whether we’re blogging or writing product and collection descriptions, finding the best keywords is always helpful for search engine ranking. While doing keyword research, consider attaching “near me” phrases to words that describe your services. If you sell pizza, for instance, don’t stop at including the word “pizza shop” in your content—try combinations such as “pizza shop near me,” “nearby pizza shop,” “pizza shop close to me,” and more!
3. Make Your Website Mobile Friendly
Since most searches are done on the go, your website must work flawlessly in desktop and mobile versions. Recently, Google has started indexing pages primarily based on mobile sites, so getting yours in shape is important to your local SEO. Ensure your website is responsive and easy to understand for your customers so that search engines can rank you accurately.
“Near me” searches are a staple for local SEO strategies and are beyond easy to implement on your website. With our three simple tips, “near me” searches will start bringing in the business!