Search engine optimization makes sure everyone can find you, but is it always the right move to target every person, regardless their location on the globe? Local SEO focuses on the fact that some stores in certain industries benefit from local consumers. This is especially true if you also have a physical store where customers can come to find out more about your products or services. While the Internet opens up potential sales and network channels that didn't before exist, you're making a mistake if you forget about local SEO. Read on to learn what you should do to make sure you're utilizing local SEO correctly.

1. Set up Your Listing

Google and Bing are just two search engines that offer place listings. If your business is popular, or if you've struggled in the past, chances are that consumers have already stopped by to voice their opinions. Claiming your business lets you add an address, phone number, hours of operation and multimedia content.

2. Encourage All Reviews

If you have a website survey or Facebook profile, suggest that your followers and visitors add a review to your Google Places listing, even if it's bad. Most search engines allow this; although, Yelp.com is not among those websites that condone such behavior. While positive reviews are great, remember that a negative review offers room for growth and strengthening connections.

3. Keyword Research

When it comes to local SEO, keywords obviously reflect your location as well as your company name or industry. You have to think like searchers to determine the best keywords. If you're using AdWords or a similar service, it's appealing to go for the big keywords, but consider those longtail keywords that are slightly less popular but will have a longer payoff in the end. Remember that even the order of keywords can make a big difference to your SEO campaign's success.

4. Using Photos Wisely

Leverage photos to your advantage when it comes to local SEO. Upload photos of your establishment to your places listings to encourage local customers to check out your ultra-hip or super-comfortable office or shop. Images on your site create places for alternate text and titles, which should use your researched keywords. Plus, high-quality photos are great content for your visitors and help to visually differentiate you from the competition.

5. Local Landing Pages

If your business has several locations, you might claim multiple listings on the search engines. Experts suggest that each of these listings link back to a customized landing page, which offers information pertinent to that location, such as the store manager and hours of operation. Landing pages help direct your visitors to a certain goal, and if the goal is to get new customers into your store, this information aids you.

6. Contact Information

Ensure that your listings and websites include both phone numbers and physical addresses. Even if your company doesn't have a store or office, your visitors might prefer to call, rather than email you. It's doubly important when you do operate a brick-and-mortar presence. Addresses are easily overlooked. Make sure you're not in the group of business owners or SEO experts that focus on online presence over local SEO.

7. Control Information

Plenty of websites gather information about businesses, including yours. Sometimes this information is incorrect, so you need to monitor these websites and fix that information when you can. Because you can't always change incorrect information, maintaining your own profile pages and place listings is crucial to fighting misinformation, which can cause consumers to feel frustrated or even give up on finding and working with your business.