Tag: local seo

SEO in 2022 – Checklist for Brands and Marketers
While hosting good content will always be a top priority, businesses today know that growing organic traffic to their website is equally important for increasing their online visibility. As a result, there has been a renewed interest and focus on SEO strategies that can help in growing website traffic.

Digital marketers are keeping abreast of the latest trends and techniques in search engine optimisation and how to leverage them in recent times.

So what do marketers need to focus on in 2022 when it comes to leveraging SEO? Let’s find out.

Core Web Vitals

The Google algorithm uses certain page experience signals to determine the quality of the websites and rank them accordingly. In June 2021, Google added three new page experience signals that are collectively called the Core Web Vitals. These three web vitals are-
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)
LCP measures the time taken by the largest visible image or block of text on the web page to load.
- First Input Delay (FID)
FID measures the time delay between the user’s first interaction and the browser’s response to the user interaction.
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)
CLS measures the stability of the website content while the site is still loading.

The emphasis is on page rendering speed and stability. While websites with simple and static contents are unlikely to be immediately affected by the core web vitals, dynamic websites that host advertisements can get affected in the google ranking algorithm.

However, digital marketers can start reviewing their SEO strategy and make changes before they experience any drastic change in their ranking in Google search. Furthermore, Google had publicised these changes well in advance, showing the intent to help the SEO and developer community to better prepare their web content.

Making Websites Mobile Friendly

The smartphone penetration, along with affordable internet services, has been phenomenal even in developing economies. For instance, India has many households where there is a smartphone but no desktop or laptop PC.

As a result, most internet surfing today is happening through mobile phones. Therefore, it was inevitable that the Google search algorithm would prioritise mobile-friendly websites.

So, it is no surprise that starting from 2019, mobile-friendly websites are indexed first by default.

Understanding MUM

The Google Multitask Unified Model, or MUM, will use an AI-powered algorithm to improve the online search experience. MUM aims to remove the need for multiple searches by the user. Instead, it aims to interpret the search context through text, images, videos, and audio to understand the user’s needs.

Furthermore, it understands 75 different languages. Thus, it has the potential to refine over time to understand complex queries used in human-to-human conversations.

While MUM will be currently introduced as an update to Google Lens, it has a vast potential to change the online search experience completely.

Therefore, digital marketers will be keeping an eye on how things turn out with MUM. But, for now, marketers need to focus on image optimisation through alt tags, geotagging, etc.

Emphasise on Voice Search

We have already witnessed the launch of some fascinating voice-based apps and products such as Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, or Google Assistance. It is therefore imperative for businesses to make their websites more conversation-friendly.

This means more query-based segregation of contents where conversational-style questions are framed to get favourable search results.

For example, consider using the query “ How to open a bank account?” instead of using the traditional “Steps to open a bank account”.

Google Does Not Want Searchers to Visit your Website

About 49% of Google Searches lead to no-clicks. Google wants brands to answer people’s queries without taking them away from the search engine. Snippets can help you rank better, but it also is a double-edged sword as it could mean the visitor may not click on the link and may be satisfied with the answer provided. While this may seem detrimental for your SEO, featuring snippets can help you get a better ranking and build your brand value. This, in turn, can impact your overall SEO score.

Rank Better in 2022 with SEO

Creative advertisements, quality content, and storytelling will remain integral to brand-building and sustained business growth. However, SEO is likely to play an equally big part, if not more, in shaping the online visibility of businesses.

With Google tweaking its algorithm every once in a while in addition to incorporating new features or parameters, the world of digital marketing will surely witness some interesting times ahead.
November 11, 2021
Local SEO: Top 3 Factors that Can Determine Rankings
As the digital ecosystem has turned into the battleground for advertising, no business, big or small, can now afford not to have an online presence. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is one of the most effective ways to structure your business presence online.

Search engines such as Google is where most consumers now begin their search for products or services. Businesses not in the SERPs (Search Engine Results Page), preferably in one of the top positions, are missing out on a lot of potential customers.

But with that being said, not every business wants to grab the top spot for every related keyword on the national level. Several small businesses mostly cater to local customers. The SEO strategy for such small businesses is built around local search.

For such businesses, it is essential to focus on Local SEO. Here are the top 3 factors that could determine the ranking for such businesses in 2021.

1. Getting Listed on ‘Google My Business’

Getting the business listed on GMB (Google My Businesses) is one of the first steps to take for those looking to rank in local searches. A free tool from Google, it has a significant impact on local search results.

Moreover, unlike most other aspects of SEO, getting a business listed on GMB is quick and easy.

However, businesses need to ensure that they complete 100% of the GMB profile, including website link, address, photos, product/service description, business hours, and business category.

This is important because, as per research by Google, local businesses with complete profiles are twice as likely to be considered reputable.

2. Use of Local and Hyper-local Keywords

Another basic aspect of local SEO is targeting local keywords, preferably long-tail local keywords. For instance, catering business targeting customers from within Mumbai should check out search volumes for keywords such as “catering service, Mumbai,” “catering, Mumbai,” etc.

Businesses can also go hyper-local and add the name of the suburb within the city, where the business is located or targeting a specific audience. For instance, including names of suburbs such as Navi Mumbai, Goregaon, etc., can help a business target a specific audience.

Once you have a list of such keywords, ensure that your website and GMB listing is optimized for the same.

Most small businesses that do well in local searches also create local content when they only want to target nearby customers. For instance, a blog post titled “How to Find Best Caterers in Mumbai” can prove beneficial for your specific audience and hence improve your local SEO if you have a catering business in Mumbai.

3. Google Maps Can Define Your Presence

As per research by Google, “near me” searches have increased by more than 78% in India between 2018-19.

This term often activates the map pack in search results. In other words, searchers will find a list of local businesses with their locations above the organic results when the search term includes “near me.”

Businesses aiming to improve their local SEO should definitely be a part of this map pack. This can be done by listing the business on Google Maps.

If you’ve successfully registered your business on GMB, the chances are that your business might already be listed on Google Maps. But if not, you can do it for free by visiting Google Maps.

Claim your business listing after registering so that local people are able to see your business in search results when they enter related keywords and every time they are finding something on Google Maps.

Local SEO Success in 2021

While SEO will always be about optimizing a website for search engines, there can be significant differences in strategies based on what you are trying to achieve. If local SEO is what you are aiming for, these are some of the basics that will at least help you start getting some amount of local traction.

Once you are done with the basics, you can then go ahead and work on complex concepts to boost your local rankings further, such as
1. Get positive ratings and reviews on your listings from your happy customers.
2. Getting backlinks to your sites from authentic and relevant websites.
3. Listing your business in local directories.
4. Work towards improving the average time spent by a visitor on your website.
January 19, 2021
Google Promotes Local Search And Lead Generation In ‘Google Home’ And ‘Google Assistant’

‘Google Home’ and ‘Google Assistant’ has come up with innovative local search procedures. With its efforts in working with local home service providers such as ‘Porch’ and ‘HomeAdvisor,’ effective interactions will become easier than ever. If you are using a platform where ‘Google Assistant’ is available, you can ask for the services of local contractors. Say, for instance, the request goes like this ‘Ok Google, find a plumber for me’. The command gives rise to structured information which further generates leads and helps you contact the local service provider.

Things to note

Right from the point of its introduction, this particular feature has garnered considerable attention. Local home services are of paramount importance for every family. The traditional search procedure involved breezing through business listings and looking for appropriate services. With Google taking the search procedure one step ahead, things will inevitably become easier for those looking for such services! Here are some of the highlights you should be aware of:

1. Refined leads: Users have the opportunity to go through inexplicable user experience. If they are looking up popular directories such as Angie’s List or ‘IAC-owned Home Advisor’, users will have the opportunity to build connections through a phone. They can also get a comprehensive list of pre-selected contractors. The presence of structured conversations and targeted Q&A refines the leads to a great extent.

2. Highly structured: This new feature rolled out by the company strikes a perfect balance between structured communication and lead generation. The benefits are diverse and bidirectional. Users will get in touch with appropriate service providers, and search results will get structured and streamlined to a great extent.

Crucial points

As the largest and most popular Global network, Google never fails to surprise its followers. The feature launched by the company is a significant step towards successful interactions. Google’s association with ‘Porch’ and ‘HomeAdvisor’ will undoubtedly bring unique opportunities for individuals. Those looking for local services will have the best chance to get in touch with popular contractors.

What is of great interest is that the search process takes place through structured Q&A. That streamlines the entire search process. If you are planning to leverage this feature, here are some points you should know and note:

· Prioritisation: Google needs to come up with crystal clear explanations about the significance of HomeAdvisor and Porch. It is imperative to understand how both these platforms will be prioritised.

· Third party directories: Google needs to be specific about the involvement of 3rd party directories. It’s also unclear whether Google will demand a share of the prices or just collect a ‘toll.’

· Personalised results: Through this particular feature, the company aims at producing personalised search results. Users will get customised and personalised information on targeted home services.

There’s no denying the benefits and advantages offered by this new feature. As far as the functionality and user experience goes, we have to wait and watch how it works!

December 7, 2017
Weekend Digital Media News Roundup: Efficient use of ad customisers, new social platform features and more.
Logicserve Digital brings to you a curated round-up of important digital marketing updates this week. For further queries, you can write to us at: newsbulletin@logicserve.com
1. Ad customizers just got a whole lot more powerful
Columnist Frederick Vallaeys discusses the new capabilities of ad customizers in AdWords, explaining how you can use them to serve better, more relevant ads.
1. Everything You Need To Know About View Through Conversions
It is crucial to consider view through conversions because it helps to monitor the indirect value that your Google Display Network Campaigns are delivering.
1. 5 New Social Platform Features You Need to Know About
There’s always something new in the social media space. Even as we come into Thanksgiving weekend, the platforms continue to release updates and changes.
1. Google is testing images in Sitelink extensions
Image extensions have come and gone and come again. Google tested them in 2013, but they never got off the ground.
1. Influencer Marketing: Do’s and Don’ts
Influencer marketing, also known as ‘Word of Mouth’ marketing is a marketing concept that has been significantly transforming the way businesses provide value to their customers.
1. Google Maps Will Now Show You Real-Time Data About How Crowded Places Are
Google Maps over the years has gained several users specific features including real-time transit information in select cities.
1. Google expands mobile-optimized ‘rich cards’ in Search to cover local restaurants and online courses
Google is expanding its rich cards program in Search and will now enable local restaurants and online course providers to display their content in a more engaging, mobile-optimized interface.
1. Location-based marketing: Where is it today, and where is it headed?
Columnist Aaron Strout takes a close look at the current state of location-based marketing and predicts what we can expect to see going forward.
1. Snapchat’s Image Recognition-Triggered Ads are a Step Closer, Functionality Now Live
Snapchat’s under fire from Facebook, with The Social Network copying many of Snapchat’s core features and either releasing them to everyone or within specific markets.
1. Facebook Doubles As Unofficial Travel Agent
How does the modern traveler find inspiration for their next adventure? Well, it’s not likely through direct advertising.
November 25, 2016
Using SEO For Enhancing Local Business

With mobile devices being included more and more into the lifestyles of a large proportion of people, making your business visible online has become an invariably important strategy. Services like Google Now, which depend heavily on delivering contextual content to users, have changed the way in which people search for queries. Instead of simple search texts, people articulate what they are trying to search. So, the search query for local restaurants now becomes ‘get the nearest places to eat’. These changes shall force you to re-evaluate the traditional ways in which you had been doing search optimization for your local business. So, how do you use Search Optimization strategies to enhance local businesses?

1. Identify Yourself

The first step would be to identify what you are targeting for. Local SEO 101 will tell you to include your locality’s city/town in your page, but apart from this, you should also have some other targets. Do not overcrowd your page, but keep enough mentions of your locality.

2. Mark your Google Territory

The first thing you would have to do is, register yourself in the Google Places. It’s free and is the first step towards listing your business on the Google Maps. In due time, your business would get included in the local searches. Having a Google+ business page helps the cause. Include as much of details as you can, complete with some quality pictures of your business.

3. The FAQ Content

Frequently Asked Questions are the more important with Local SEO. Google’s updated algorithm (dubbed as Hummingbird) now works towards connecting the search queries with the FAQ content of the pages. Filling your FAQ section with some new content will be a smart investment, which may lead to increased directions to your site.

4. Towards a Mobile Site

Someone finds your business online, odds are that they are using their tablets or mobiles. Make your website friendly to such devices. Build a dedicated mobile site if possible. No one likes to have to load a desktop site onto the phone.

5. Shaping the proper content

After doing all that you can, if you are still unable to see increased incoming traffic, start curating your content. The best way is to include content that is actually useful to the locals. Even if you manage to fool search algorithms, the ‘human’ visitors are the ones who buy from you.

SEO takes time. The strategies directed towards increasing your incoming traffic, should be tweaked well to serve your local objectives. The steps are incremental, and in due time, search engines would become more contextual, cracking open a wider arena to exploit.

LogicSpeak:

For the last several years, Google has attracted around 65-70% of all Internet searches. This means seven out of ten prospective clients use Google to find a local business in your locality. Hence, it has become the need of this hour to establish your online presence locally as well. Check this link for affordable local business SEO solutions.

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