Small Businesses Must Prioritize Local SEO Amidst Fragmented Search Landscape
Nearly half of all Google searches are looking for local information, according to statistics from Shopify. This matters because the Shopify data also showed that 76% of people who conduct a local search on mobile visit a business within a day.
Despite these figures, plenty of small businesses still treat local SEO like something to get around to only after the website is finished, socials are running, and everything else on the marketing checklist has been ticked. The reality is that local search often reaches people at the moment when they are already considering a purchase, appointment, visit, or service.
Sierra Goldstein, founder & CEO of Market Minds Creative, emphasizes the importance of consistent information across multiple platforms: 'Local SEO has never really been about one ranking or one listing. The businesses that stay visible are the ones that give search engines consistent evidence about who they are, what they offer, and where they operate.'
Strengthening local search visibility requires making sure basic business information is accurate and easy to understand. This includes keeping Google Business Profile updated, as well as strengthening local signals on your website.