Just a few years ago, people were still looking up local businesses in the phone book. Pretty soon, everyone had a smartphone and local search went from something we did only on a desktop computer or laptop to second nature. Now we quickly grab our phone or other mobile device and check for “plumber in Vancouver,” or “Vancouver bank,” or whichever local business type we need. We don’t even think about it, and we expect to see a list of search results that answer our query. If you are a business that’s trying to get found and your company name doesn’t come up in local search, that’s definitely costing you business. That’s especially true for certain industries. They face stiff competition and could really benefit from a local SEO company Vancouver competitors likely use to get their businesses visible online.

Top Industries That Need Local SEO

Which industries are facing tough competition in local search? Is your industry one of these 15 on the list? Not to worry, because we’ll tell you how to ace local search in a few steps!

First, we’ll list 15 industries that have a tough time rising to the top in local search:

• Physicians
• Dentists
• Locksmiths
• Emergency HVAC repair
• Roofers
• Restaurants
• Insurance agents
• Financial advisors
• Attorneys
• Home improvement companies
• Plumbers
• Boutique shops
• Local small retailers
• Landscape services
• Veterinary clinics

These aren’t the only ones who have problems getting found in local search engine search results. There are others, and often they face the same predicaments that plague the listed industries: they’re in competitive markets, and their potential clients frequent review sites (that their local business might not be rated on). Plus, these local companies fight for visibility against national brands and aggregator sites.

So what’s a Vancouver local business to do? There’s a key method that gets the job done in local search, and that is: consistency.

Why Local Search in Vancouver is Important

Let’s say you own a local pizza restaurant. Maybe you’ve even set up a Google Business Profile and submitted your website to a few local directories. It can be tough keeping all your information consistent. You want to have the same business name, address, phone number and other identifying data identically input in all of your local business profiles. If you misspell a word, or write the address a bit differently, or present your business in a slightly different way on each local site you promote yourself on, you won’t be able to take advantage of a unified business presence online. That’s super important, because search engines like Google won’t be able to connect the dots and push you up in search results. If your hours of operation are outdated or other data is incorrect, people will get confused, and that can keep you from getting business. 

The answer: A local SEO company, Vancouver situated and aware of how competitive this area can be, will stay on top of every detail. They will diligently and consistently keep your business information accurate and attractive to searchers, and easily digestible to search engines.

What Can a Local SEO Campaign Do for Your Business?

What’s fascinating is right now there are people in Vancouver searching for what you do. People are querying for “Vancouver restaurant,” “plumber in Vancouver,” and many other services. You don’t want to miss out on these potential customers. Here are a few strategies a Vancouver local SEO firm can implement for you, so you can keep making pizza, installing roofs, fixing broken pipes, practicing dentistry or whatever it is you do, without concerning yourself with day-to-day SEO tasks. The goal is to get you found online so your phone rings and your contact forms come in with the leads you want.

How do local SEO services work?

1. Your SEO company will set up and maintain your Google Business Profile. Even if you already have one, it’s important to keep it up to date and check that it’s accurate.
2. Your SEO provider will ensure you’re in the local directories and local review sites that relate to your business. So, if you’re a roofer, and there’s a local building association website that offers a resource page, they’ll work to get your website linked there. Plus, there are many local directories and organizations, such as the boards of trade, where your SEO agency can list your business.
3. Onsite work: This means content that is built for, or updated on, your website. It includes checking and updating your current website copy and creating blogs, articles, and other content assets that reinforce your local business’s expertise.
4. Your SEO company will also check technical aspects of your website that may be blocking you from being indexed on search engines. Slow site speed is another area that can keep you from reaching clients. All technologically-based barriers to visibility will be reviewed.

Those are but a few strategies; your campaign will be customized to your needs. Results depend on a consistent local SEO for local industries campaign. It must signal that you are the one to call; you are the local expert people need. 

The result: All parts of your campaign will work together to send consistent trust signals to humans and search engines. Trust is a great motivator to get people to buy.

Consistent Campaigns = Measurable Success

Finally, your SEO provider will keep an eye on how everything’s performing. Using tools like Google Analytics and GBP insights, they’ll track how many people see your profile, click to call, or ask for directions. They’ll note what is working (for example, if reviews increase your calls) and what needs tweaking (such as if a nearby town starts searching more) from this data. You’ll get regular updates so you can see how your campaign is bringing in new leads. Built for results, this strategy increases your local visibility and builds your authority.

Next Steps: Get Your Own Local SEO Campaign

Local SEO can be a tough nut to crack when you do it on your own. Often, that’s because you’re paying attention to running your business and the consistency that needs to happen with a local SEO campaign (onsite, offsite, directory submissions, content creation, link building and much more) can easily fall through the cracks when you’re busy. 

Trek Marketing offers extensive local SEO experience. In fact, we’re experts at optimizing a website for specific local geographic searches. Plus, we have the client testimonials that prove we get results.
Done looking for “local SEO services near me” or “local search engine optimization Vancouver” without success? Call Trek Marketing today (855.686.4649 ext.707) or contact us online and see how we can drive more revenue to your business.

Bernadette Galang