Why Local SEO Is Crucial For Brands In 2021 & Beyond

Digital marketing has been around for years, but its popularity reached new heights amid the pandemic. When foot traffic dropped to practically zero, businesses had to switch to this form of marketing to stay visible to the audience.

Local SEO emerged as a game-changer as small businesses and big brands across Canada relied on it to sustain and survive through the crisis. It continues to be essential even as the pandemic recedes and companies move towards a new normal. A strong local presence is crucial for businesses today because nearby customers are here to stay for the foreseeable future. 

Whether buyers choose to step out or order goods, nearby sellers are on top of their minds. For this reason, sellers need to pull the crowds from around and capture the best sales opportunities. Overlooking local SEO can land your business in trouble right now, and you cannot ignore it in the future as well.

It connects you with the buyer community around, enables interactions with them, and fortifies your brand’s reputation. But you will find that the benefits extend beyond the basics if you dig deeper. Not to mention, the strategy is no longer just for small-time businesses, and even big brands are embracing it. Let us explain why local SEO is crucial for brands in 2021 and beyond. 

People want to buy from nearby

The pandemic has made the nearby-shopping concept more relevant than ever. People want to commute less as it saves money and reduces the risk of exposure to the virus. Smaller local businesses were saviors for consumers during lockdowns, and they continue to be important. Consumer relationships are still going strong with them even as they reopen. These small sellers are competing with big brands, and the latter need to step up their marketing game. 

Take the cue and go small with your promotions to cash in on this new trend. The best approach is to establish yourself as a local business and drive more online traffic with tactics such as business listings and online reviews. Going back to the basics will reconnect you with buyers nearby, and the strategy can support your comeback in 2021 and beyond. 

Stand apart in the competitive landscape

With sellers focusing on hyperlocal markets, the landscape is more competitive than ever. It becomes daunting to be visible and memorable for the potential buyers. Every business in your niche is probably investing in local SEO, so you cannot afford to miss the opportunity. Skimping on it means they will get a step ahead and capture all of your potential buyers. 

You may be the best in your niche, but not being visible can leave you behind in the race. It is where a local SEO strategy can help by getting your brand the attention it deserves. Building a robust local presence will enable you to show up on the first page of search engine results. You can rest assured about being visible and standing apart, no matter how challenging the competition gets. 

Win without spending a fortune

The new normal is a tough time for Canadian businesses and brands because money runs tight for them. The only way to survive and thrive is by cutting down costs. With local SEO, you can make big sales with small spending. If you run a business in expensive cities like Toronto, you can find opportunities for affordable SEO Toronto with this strategy. It is inherently inexpensive yet has the potential to deliver sustainable results. 

A website with good SEO continues to rank high unless you lose your grip or fall short of algorithmic updates. You only need to maintain the hold, and staying on top of search rankings need not cost a fortune. Other methods like paid advertising and offline promotions are relatively expensive. It makes sense to opt for the most cost-effective methods in the new normal. Local SEO delivers on this front. 

Retain existing customers

Nearby customers are likely to be the mainstay of businesses for the foreseeable future. While you may want to acquire new ones, retention should be the focus area. It is easy to get repeat customers during a crisis phase like this one, so retention makes sense. Moreover, bringing back existing customers costs far less than new acquisitions. Local SEO delivers in this context as well.  

The tactic boosts sales, but beyond that, it builds the reputation of your brand. It makes existing customers stick around and come back again for repeat shopping. Even better, they can drive new buyers for your business. People post reviews and give ratings to your brand as a part of the organic strategy. Potential buyers are more likely to know you by word of mouth rather than only paid promotions. 

Boost sales with phone searches 

Apart from the nearby shopping boom in the pandemic, mobile shopping is another trend that has made it big. People want to shop on the fly, and mobile devices enable them to search sellers close by. A robust local SEO strategy includes mobile optimization of your website. It means your website will be visible on the top when potential buyers search for nearby businesses through their mobile devices.

There are good chances of having buyers drop in and buy from your store just because you are accessible. Smartphone optimization is a clear advantage for any brand because most customers use these devices to reach stores. It is a massive opportunity for any business right now, and you wouldn’t want to miss out on mobile sales today and in the future. 

Understanding the significance of local SEO takes you a step closer to business revival in the new normal. If you want to extend your customer base now and in the future, the buyers around you should be a priority. An aggressive approach with local SEO takes you ahead, so make sure you are ready with a viable plan on time. Stay one step ahead by updating your business listings, optimizing your website, and consolidating your online reputation.