How local SEO can determine your future success

Has local search optimization become a leading factor in the survival of a small business these days? There is much data and research to suggest that it is. Local search seems to become a determining factor with regard to your business being found by potential customers. In some recently compiled data published by 99firms, it suggests that the future of your business could very well be determined by the strength of your local SEO. The following stats are taken directly from that published data:

  • 97% of consumers search online for a local business.

    Consumers are increasingly relying on the Internet to find businesses near them. Local search statistics reveal that more than half of us (54%) do this at least once a month, while 12% search for a local business every day.

    (Adaptive Marketing)

  • Search is 300% more effective than social media in directing website traffic.

    For those wondering whether investing money and effort in local search optimization is worth more than investing in social media marketing, the answer is clear. Search is the primary driver of website traffic. Local search results play a major role in it.

    (imForza)

  • 75% of Internet users don’t look at the second page of search results.

    Looking for a business on the second page of Google results is not something many of us do. It is a known fact that the first page of search results is where you want to be, and it is the ultimate goal of search engine optimization. These SEO basics also apply to local SEO.

    (Loganix)

  • 67% of consumers prefer businesses that customize their ads and content to their location.

    According to local search stats, businesses that put effort into customizing their ads and content for specific locations are much more appreciated by consumers than the ones that run the same generic ad for all of their markets.

    (boost medical)

  • 70% of consumers will visit a store because of information found online.

    Whether it’s reviews or an ad, the majority of modern-day consumers learn about new businesses online. Refusing to see the importance of having an online presence probably means failure for small businesses. Business information search has become so common that we don’t trust businesses that fail to provide it.

    (bluelist.co)

  • 28% of local searches result in a purchase.

    The chances for a search to result in a purchase should not be underestimated when talking about local SEO. Even though the chances are at their highest with mobile users (more on that later), a local product search has a close to 1 in 3 chance of turning into a purchase.

    (Digital Logic)

  • 84% of all “near me” searches are on mobile.

    We are quickly adapting to the pace in which our world is becoming “smarter”. There used to be a time when we had to type in a zip code and an address to search for local businesses. Today, local SEO statistics suggest that just two simple words added to what we need to find can lead us to the best food or the best plumber in our area. Looking for services has never been easier.

    (uberall)

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33% of all mobile searches are made right before visiting a store.

Having a smartphone makes our shopping much easier than before; we can check for info on new shops, business hours, inventory, and more in less than a minute. This is why a third of all smartphone searches occur just before visiting a store.

(sitecentre)

  • More than 50% of all “near me” searches result in a store visit.

    Location searches show just how serious we are about our shopping: searching for a store or a service with the phrase “near me” points to much more intent than searching without it. This is why so many of those searches end in a store visit.

    (today’s local media)

  • 61% of mobile users are more likely to contact a local business if its website is more mobile-friendly.

    The benefits of local SEO are the most noticeable with mobile users. With the majority of web traffic today coming from mobile devices, optimizing your website for these users should be a priority for all businesses with an online presence.

    (BrightLocal)

  • 78% of local mobile searches lead to an offline purchase.

    Local SEO statistics show that close to 80% of searches on mobile devices end in a purchase. 90% of these purchases occur in a physical store.

    (Search Engine Land)

  • 90% of marketers think that location-based advertising improves business.

    Based on the effects of local Google searches on consumers, 90% of marketing professionals and SEO agencies agree that local SEO creates higher sales, 86% of them agree that it improves business by growing the customer base, and 84% believe that it has a positive effect of customer engagement.

    (Knorex)

  • 68% of smartphone searchers have used the “get directions” or “click to call” options in local mobile ads.

    Forgetting to include information such as an address or a phone number is a basic mistake that can occur in web and ad design. Those who are serious about their business should pay attention to these, with the majority of consumers using that info to get in touch with businesses.

    (Business 2 Community)

  • 88% of consumers look for online reviews before choosing a local service.

    Local SEO stats show that when looking for local businesses or services, almost 9 out of 10 consumers search for online reviews. This is another important aspect for local SEO companies.

    (ITD)

  • 51% of consumers appreciate location-based coupons.

    Not only do coupons attract more customers, but they can also significantly increase sales. One example is a company that introduced an in-store discount for those who showed the mobile ad at checkout, resulting in a 9,916% jump in incremental mobile revenue.

    (WordStream)

-Written by Kevin Sawyer