In an era where 72% of consumers who performed a local search say that they’ve visited a store that they found within five miles of their home, it’s clear that local search engine optimization (SEO) is of paramount importance to your long-term success. If you’re in the market for a new local SEO consultant partner to help take your existing efforts over the proverbial finish line, there are a few key things you should pay attention to.
1. Be Wary of Cagey Responses and Non-Answers
In no uncertain terms, a local SEO consultant should be able to explain exactly what they’re going to do for your business. The minute someone refuses to answer your questions and cites a “proprietary process” that they keep secret, or when answers stop making sense, is the minute you need to look elsewhere.
2. The Whole Package
Likewise, the right local SEO consultant should focus on more than just things like keyword optimization – although that is very important. Things like google business profile optimization, inbound link and citation strategies, location pages, and more should ALL be a big part of what they do.
Anyone who says that they can accomplish anything using ONLY on-site optimization isn’t worth the time it takes to have the conversation in the first place.
3. Their Process When It Comes to Reviews
Equally important is a local SEO consultant’s stance on reviews – something that’s important to local SEO and very important to Google in particular. If a local SEO consultant promises to flood the internet with spammy positive reviews because they value quantity over quality, this isn’t someone you should be doing business with. They also shouldn’t offer discounts or give anything away to customers in exchange for those reviews, either.
4. The Next Frontier
Likewise, a trustworthy local SEO consultant should always have one eye fixed firmly on the horizon, so to speak. This means that they’re not only focused on all of the things outlined above – they’re also concerned with (and have a plan for addressing) things like the proliferation of mobile searches, voice search, and other things that are becoming more and more popular every day.
In other words, a local SEO consultant should put forth a strategy that grows with your business. Without it, growth will be challenging to achieve.
5. It’s All About Your Goals
Last but not least, we arrive at the topic of your goals. In other words, what do you hope local SEO will help you accomplish in the first place?
Before you even begin to look for a local SEO consultant, you need to think about what you’re trying to do. Do you want to branch out and reach a new segment of your target market? Are you focused on reputation management? Or maybe something else entirely?
When you present your goals to a local SEO consultant, it should be clear immediately whether they can help you or not. At that point, the viable candidates will essentially reveal themselves.
If you’d like to find out more information about the major qualities you should be looking for when choosing anSEO consultant for local services, or if you’d like to speak about your own situation with someone in a bit more detail, we’re here to help – contact Zero Gravity Marketing today.
