Top 5 Local SEO Tips for Orlando Businesses

The majority of local consumers search for businesses online. When they need a product or service, most turn to the internet for help finding what they want. 

So, whether you’re a large business with multiple locations or a small online business, you need to have a well-established online presence. Without one, your potential customers won’t be able to find you. That’s where local SEO comes in. 

Local SEO helps you stand out from competitors and attract more foot traffic. But you’ll need to be smart about your strategy—not any hastily planned strategy will do. While you can do it on your own, having help from an Orlando SEO agency can make all the difference. Here are a few tips to get you started.

1. Optimize Your Google My Business Listing

Your Google My Business (GMB) profile is a huge part of local SEO. It’s what pops up when people search for your business name or type of service near them, so it’s often a defining factor in the success of a local SEO strategy. It can boost visibility, giving your Orlando business the best chances of ranking higher in Google’s local pack, map listings, and organic search results. 

So, to ensure your business appears when people search for you or your services, take the time to optimize your GMB listing. If you haven’t already, claim your profile and complete the verification process. 

Review and update all information as needed, including your name, address, phone number, and business hours. Double-check that this information is consistent across all platforms—you don’t want to send mixed signals. 

Come back to your listing periodically to update outdated information as needed. 

2. Focus on Local Keywords

Keywords are another essential piece of the SEO puzzle. However, if you want to improve your local presence, it’s important to prioritize local keywords. These are search terms that include a geographic qualifier, like “Orlando” or “near me.”

To find appropriate local keywords to target, use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner. Tools like these can help you find what local search terms people are using to find businesses like yours and the services that you offer. For example, if you’re an HVAC repair company, you might target terms like “Orlando HVAC repair” or “AC repair in Orlando.”

These keywords, once integrated into your content, can boost your presence online, ensuring your business ends up in front of locals who are searching for your products or services.

3. Build Local Backlinks

Backlinks, or links from another website to yours, are another important part of local SEO. Local backlinks from other Orlando-based websites tell the search engine that your business is trustworthy and relevant to your community. This, in turn, can boost your search engine rankings, placing your business in front of people who are looking. 

To build local backlinks, you can partner with local organizations, such as Orlando charities and community groups. Sponsor an event, donate to a cause or partner for a community project. In many cases, these organizations will link to your website on their event pages or sponsorship acknowledgments. 

Additionally, you can list your business in local directories, such as the Orlando Chamber of Commerce, and reputable online directories like Yelp, TripAdvisor, or Angie’s List. These listings often include a link that directs people to your website, which can help boost your business’s local visibility. 

You can also collaborate with local media, including local bloggers, journalists, or local news outlets. Share your knowledge and expertise to earn features and backlinks. For example, let’s say you run an Orlando-based eco-friendly cleaning company. In this case, you could be featured in an article about sustainable living, earning you a valuable local backlink. 

4. Create Locally Relevant Content

Content marketing has long been a staple in SEO, and the same rings true today. With well-produced, locally relevant content with naturally integrated keywords, you can improve your chances of ranking in local searches. 

The types of content you produce vary based on the industry you’re in. For example, suppose you’re a roofing contractor that offers roof repairs and replacements. You might write a blog with relevant keywords about “Key Signs That Indicate It’s Time for a New Roof.” 

On top of that, you can tie in keywords on various location-specific service pages. You can create pages for each location you service, such as “roofing company in Winter Park” and “roofing contractor in College Park.” 

When writing your content, including all service pages, blogs, and similar content, remember to weave in your target keywords. However, it’s important that you don’t pack as many keywords as you can. Keyword stuffing can affect readability and impact your rankings, so it’s best to tie in a few keywords here and there without overdoing it.

5. Encourage and Manage Online Reviews

Online reviews play a big role in local SEO rankings. Search engines like Google use reviews as a signal of your business’s quality and relevance. So, when working on your local SEO strategy, don’t neglect online reviews. 

If you’ve just recently built an online presence, you might not have any reviews yet. That’s okay. As you continue providing your products or services, encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on your GMB profile, Yelp, and other platforms. Make it easy by sending follow-up emails or texts with direct links to your review pages. 

Once the reviews start trickling (or pouring) in, remember to respond to each one in kind, regardless of whether it’s positive or negative. Respond professionally, thanking customers for their positive feedback and addressing negative reviews politely with a solution. This can help build customer loyalty and show search engines that you’re active in managing your online reputation.

After your business has at least a few reviews, you can start leveraging the positive feedback in your marketing efforts. Highlight satisfied reviews on your social media and website channels, such as by including a testimonials page or reviews section in your content. 

On top of all of this, positive reviews build trust with potential customers. For example, think of the last time you searched for a local business. Perhaps you were looking for a local solar contractor and found all sorts of options, some with great reviews, others with less-than-stellar customer feedback. As the consumer, you probably wouldn’t pick the poorly rated provider, right? Neither would your potential customers. 

Prospective customers want to know you’re a trusted provider that will deliver quality services or products. Positive reviews from previous customers can establish you as a trustworthy source, making potential customers more likely to choose you.

Improve Your Orlando SEO Game With Paper Box SEO

Orlando’s business scene is booming, and unless you’re in a unique niche that hasn’t gained much traction in the area yet, having a well-rounded local SEO strategy is a must to set you apart from the competition. But not any ol’ strategy will do. If you want results, you’ll need to plan accordingly. 

If you’re unsure how to improve your strategy to get results, our Orlando SEO experts at Paper Box SEO can help. We’re here to help you stand out in the crowd with a robust and effective SEO strategy. So, if you need help from an Orlando SEO consultant, contact us today to start with a free consultation!

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