Local SEO Is the Secret Weapon for Small Businesses

We work with a lot of really great local businesses here at Digital Funnel from accountants and dentists to electricians and waterparks. They hire us because these days, word of mouth can only get you so far. It used to be that when you needed a plumber, you’d ask your neighbour for a recommendation, but nowadays the first thing people do is head online and Google ‘plumber Cork’. If your local SEO isn’t in order, chances are they’ll find your competitor instead.  

For small businesses, this visibility is incredibly important and getting it right can get the phone ringing and customers walking through your door. And all it takes are just a few small simple steps to get this started.  

Why Local SEO Matters 

Optimising your online presence for local SEO is the key to making your business more visible to people searching in your area. You aren’t competing with big name brands or businesses three counties away. You just need to make sure that your business is the one that shows up when someone nearby searches ‘accountant in Cork’ or ‘electrician near me’. 

Investing in local SEO is one of the highest ROI marketing strategies for local business: 

• Local customers. Chances are there is someone in your area looking for your business, they just don’t know it yet. Local searches are specific and immediate; they are looking for a service right now in their local area. 

• Lower competition. Your Galway based dentistry does not need to compete with dentists across the country. All you need to do is be more visible, be easier to find than the other dentists operating in your area.  (see our Dentist Case Study)

• Easy to implement. Just a few small changes to your online presence can make you more visible to potential clients, and even more importantly, more visible than your competitors.  

Quick Wins for Local SEO 

You don’t need a state of the art built out website or massive social media following. All you need are just a few small optimisations to your digital presence to put you right in front of the customers who are looking for you and your services.  

Just start with the essentials: 

Claim your Google Business Profile

This is a big one that we see so many clients skipping, but it is quick, easy, and most importantly, free to set up (though setting up will take you just a little bit of time). This is often the first thing that most people see when they search for a local service. Make sure that you have claimed your profile and fully filled it out, adding your location, services, and working hours.  

Check your NAP

Consistency is key when it comes to building up your digital presence. Your business details should be the same across the board from your Google Business Profile to your website, Facebook, and any online directories you may be a part of.  

Include local keywords 

Simply put, include where you are! If you are a plumber in Cork, make sure to advertise yourself as ‘plumber in Cork’. This way Google knows exactly what you are and exactly where you are so it can show you to the people searching for your services.  (see our SEO for Plumbers Case Study)

Add photos and updates

Customers trust businesses that look real, that are active and show recent information. Post images of your team, your work, or your office.  

A Real Example 

We have fully optimised our Google Business Profile for our Cork office to ensure that people can find us when they are searching for a digital marketing company nearby. We have made sure to include: 

• Our accurate business name and location 

• Clear keyword rich description describing who we are and what we do 

• Photos and regular updates that show we are active 

These simple steps are one of the reasons that we’ve been able to work with so many great local companies without spending any money on ads. When small business owners in Cork search for our services, we are the top company that shows up.  

Invest In Local SEO 

Whether you are investing time or money, the price is worth it when it comes to local SEO. As we’ve shown, local SEO is not complicated. It is just about doing the basics right, about taking the time to set up and update your Google Business Profile every now and then. Just a few minutes of optimisation today can put you right in front of your next paying customer tomorrow.  

So, before you invest in a beautiful new website or online ads, take the time to make sure that your local presence is strong. Because when someone searches for your service in Cork, the only thing that matters is if you show up, or your competitor.