Local SEO consulting: unlocking the power of location based search.
Is your personal injury firm’s Google Business Profile not performing as well as you want? Stuck at #4 in Google Maps or can’t break into the 3 pack for the searches injured clients use? Whatever your situation, from 1 office to many, I can help your PI firm win local SEO.
My name is Casey Meraz and I’m a local SEO expert who specializes in personal injury firms. I wrote the book and guide on Moz.com on How To Perform The Ultimate Local SEO Audit, and I have been helping firms generate more leads and sign more cases through effective local search engine optimization since 2005.
As businesses continue to shift their focus to online marketing, it has become increasingly important to optimize for local search. With more and more people using search engines to find products and services near them, local SEO has become a vital part of any digital marketing strategy.
However, many businesses still struggle to understand the nuances of local SEO and how it can impact their online visibility. That’s where local SEO consulting comes in. In this article, we’ll explore what local SEO consulting is, how it can benefit your business, and what to look for in a local SEO consultant.
Do you want to reach more customers in your local area? Are you struggling to get your business to appear in local search results? Local SEO consulting might be the solution you need to take your business to the next level.
What is Local SEO?
When I speak about local SEO I am referring to three types of results in Google. Specifically, I am talking about the local pack rankings, Google Maps rankings, and local organic rankings.
In 2020 Google’s search results are highly localized. If you Google a single keyword such as “Plumber”, Google will not only anticipate your intent (you’re looking for a plumber), but they will also determine your location without you giving it to them. This in turn affects the 3 pack (the three local business listings that will show up on the page) as well as the organic results (traditional 10 blue links below the local pack).
If you’re not properly optimized and you don’t carry enough authority you will be nowhere to be found.
And what is Local SEO Consulting?
Local SEO consulting is a service provided by digital marketing agencies or consultants to help businesses optimize their online presence for local search. Local SEO consultants help businesses improve their visibility in local search results by optimizing their website, Google My Business listing, and other local directories.
The benefits of local SEO consulting for your business.
By hiring a local SEO consultant, businesses can expect to see a range of benefits, including:
Increased visibility in local search
Local SEO consultants can help businesses optimize their website and online listings to appear higher in local search results.
More targeted traffic
By optimizing for location based keywords, businesses can attract more targeted traffic to their website, resulting in higher conversion rates.
Improved online reputation
Local SEO consultants can help businesses manage their online reputation by monitoring and responding to customer reviews.
Higher ROI
Local SEO is a cost effective way to attract local customers, resulting in a higher return on investment for businesses.
What to look for in a local SEO consultant.
If you’re considering hiring a local SEO consultant, there are several key factors to consider. Here are some things to look for when choosing one:
Experience
Look for a consultant with a proven track record of success in local SEO. Ask for case studies or examples of past work to gauge their experience.
Knowledge
A good local SEO consultant should have a deep understanding of local search algorithms and best practices. Ask them about their knowledge of Google My Business, local citations, and other important factors.
Communication skills
You want to work with a consultant who communicates clearly and regularly. Look for someone who is responsive to your questions and concerns.
Customization
Every business is unique, and a good local SEO consultant will tailor their approach to your specific needs. Avoid consultants who use a one size fits all approach.
Search results are also misleading due to proximity ranking factors
If you feel that you’re ranking “well” but sales are down and the phone isn’t ringing, chances are you are not ranking as well as you think. What do I mean?
With search being based off of a user’s physical location (detected on both computers and smartphones), the location of where you are conducting the search matters greatly.
If you are searching a keyword that’s important to your business while you are physically at your office, you may be surprised to learn that you will most certainly always rank in the top 3 results there.
But where are your customers searching from? If you were to take the same keyword and search from one block away, you might see completely different results. If you were to go 1 kilometer away, you would likely see different results as well.
Not to mention your results will be further skewed because you have probably clicked on your own business listing before. If you do this frequently Google recognizes that you like this search result and will show it often for you. This is personalization.
Companies who are successful in local search understand these nuances and work on strategies to increase where they rank (proximity wise, where their customers are living or working).
And when you master this, local SEO is beautiful because it generates endless free leads and new business for your company.
Casey’s local SEO experience.
Since 2005 I have helped hundreds of businesses reach their KPIs through effective local marketing. Here is just a little bit about me.
- Author of How To Perform The Ultimate Local SEO Audit on Moz / Amazon Book
- Contributor to the Local Search Ranking Factors Study (5 years in a row) for Moz.
- Author for the Moz Blog, Brightlocal, and Whitespark
- Regular conference speaker on Local SEO topics at SMX East, SMX West, Big Digital, State of Search, Local Search Summit and many more.
- Founder of Juris Digital and Ethical SEO Consulting
- Founder of LocalSEOExperts.com, the world’s premiere Local SEO Certification course
How I can help you.
I specialize in helping companies and agencies make more money and have happier clients. Here are some of the most common reasons people engage my help:
Strategy development
Whether it’s one location or 1,000, developing a comprehensive local SEO strategy takes time and expertise.
Expert SEO consulting
Whether you’re stuck outside the 3 pack or your clients are being taken down by spam listings or suspended listings, I can help get you out of the situation you’re in and help future proof your listings.
SEO training for your team & staff
I can create a custom training program to help your team members get on the same page when it comes to effective local SEO, which will make your clients happier and keep them with your agency longer.
There are many different ways I can help your company when it comes to local SEO. I offer SEO audits, consulting, training, and implementation services.
Contact me today to discuss your project.
The problems I hear from PI firms.
If you want to be in the local pack, the table stakes keep going up.
I optimize your Google Business Profile, location pages, reviews, citations, and proximity strategy to win the map for the searches injured clients use.
It's way harder to get a Google review today than it was five years ago.
I build a review engine: workflows, timing, prompts, and staff accountability that bring in steady, real reviews.
A client came back years later after another wreck and couldn't remember my name.
I build local brand recall through consistent content, reputation signals, and messaging so your market remembers you.
Win your local market.
From one location to many, let’s build the local SEO that gets you found and signs cases. Partnerships start at a $20,000 commitment, and strategy comes first.