Mastering Local SEO: Practical Steps for Local Businesses in Newcastle upon Tyne

In our previous article, we introduced the importance of a consistent Local SEO strategy for businesses in Newcastle. The importance of being relevant to the search terms customers are using to search. Google needs to see your website as being relevant for customers searching for local products and services.

For many small businesses, the cost of a dedicated SEO Agency in the North East may be too high, although an SEO Agency like ours can tailor pricing to suit most budgets, with money-back guarantees.

Either way, if you want to go it alone, here are a few tactical things you can start doing today.

Always remember with SEO - consistency and patience pay in the long term. Your website is never finished.

Keyword Research: Understanding the Language of Your Customers

Keyword research is the foundation of Local SEO. It involves identifying the specific search terms that people in your area are using to find businesses like yours. Once you know these keywords, you can strategically incorporate them into your website content, Google My Business (GMB) profile, and other marketing materials.

How to Conduct Keyword Research

There are several tools and techniques you can use for keyword research:

• Google Search Console: This free tool provides insights into the keywords that people are using to find your website.
• Google Trends: This tool tracks the popularity of different search terms over time.
• Local SEO tools: Paid tools like MozLocal and LocalSpark can provide more comprehensive keyword research reports.

Never assume you know exactly what your customers are searching for. We expected our customers to be searching for a Marketing Agency in Newcastle, but through detailed Keyword Research, we identified that almost 40% of our search traffic was coming from customers specifically searching for an SEO Agency in Newcastle.

Keyword Research forms the foundation of Local SEO. Don’t ignore it.

Competitor Analysis: Understanding Your Local Landscape

Competitor analysis is another crucial step in local SEO. It involves researching your competitors to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and online presence. By understanding your competitors, you can identify opportunities to outrank them in search results.

Why Competitor Analysis Matters

Competitor analysis helps you:

• Identify the keywords your competitors are targeting and/or ranking for
• Understand their website and online marketing strategies.
• Determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Develop a competitive strategy to outrank them.

To see Competitor Analysis in action, take a look at this article as part of our Proof of Work series. We show you how to do it and what to look for.

Content Creation: The Cornerstone of Local SEO

High-quality content is essential for local SEO success. It helps you attract and engage potential customers, build relationships with your local community, and establish yourself as a reputable authority in your industry.

Types of Content for Local SEO

• Local business listings and reviews: Submit your business to local directories and review sites, and encourage customers to leave positive reviews.
• Local blog posts and articles: Create informative and engaging content that is relevant to your target audience and the local community.
• Local social media posts: Share local events, news, and promotions on social media platforms.
• Local video content: Create videos that showcase your business, products, or services.

Content Optimisation for Local SEO

• Use relevant local keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords into your content naturally and strategically. These words should come from your Keyword Research. Be careful not to stuff keywords in random places. Use them naturally as part of your content. Google knows when you are Keyword Stuffing.
• Optimise for local search intent: Tailor your content to address the specific needs and interests of your local audience. Use specific locations in your headings and content.
• Ensure NAP consistency: Ensure that your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information is consistent across all platforms, including your website, GMB profile, and social media pages.

Claiming and Optimising Your Google My Business (GMB) Profile

Your GMB profile is your virtual storefront, so it's crucial to claim and optimise it. By providing accurate and complete information, uploading high-quality photos, and responding to reviews promptly, you can improve your chances of appearing prominently in local search results.

Steps to Claim and Optimise Your GMB Profile

1. Verify ownership: Confirm that you are the rightful owner of the business.
2. Provide accurate business information: Ensure all NAP information is consistent and up-to-date.
3. Upload high-quality photos: Showcase your business, products, and staff with high-resolution images.
4. Respond to reviews: Proactively address both positive and negative feedback, demonstrating your commitment to customer satisfaction.

Local Link Building: Building Trust and Authority

Local link building is the process of acquiring backlinks from reputable local websites and directories. These backlinks signal to Google that your business is an authoritative source in your local area, which can boost your local SEO ranking. A backlink is a link on someone else’s website that points to your website, being a signal of credibility.

Why Local Link Building Matters

Local backlinks provide several benefits:

• Increased visibility: Your business will appear more prominently in local search results.
• Enhanced authority: Google views local backlinks as a sign of trust, which can improve your overall search ranking.
• Strengthened brand reputation: A strong backlink profile indicates that your business is well-established and respected in your local community.

Tactics for Acquiring Local Backlinks

• Build relationships with local businesses: Collaborate with complementary businesses for cross-promotions or joint initiatives, and include backlinks to their websites in your content.
• Engage in local online forums and communities: Participate in relevant online forums and communities, sharing valuable insights and providing backlinks to your website in your responses.
• Contribute to local blogs and publications: Write guest posts for local blogs and publications, linking back to your website to establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry.
• Get featured on local business directories: Submit your business to high-quality local business directories, ensuring backlinks to your website from those directories.
• Utilize local SEO tools: Leverage tools like Ahrefs and Semrush to identify opportunities to acquire local backlinks from reputable websites and directories.

Monitoring and Analyzing Local SEO Performance

Regularly monitor your local SEO performance using tools like Google Search Console and local SEO analytics platforms. Track your rankings, keyword performance, and backlink profile to identify areas for improvement and make adjustments as needed.

By implementing these strategies, local businesses in Newcastle upon Tyne can significantly enhance their online presence for local searches, attracting more customers and making more money.

Or…. Get Professional Help

And if that all seems too time consuming, consider working with a professional SEO Agency in Newcastle. If you find the right partner, over time the cost will be far outweighed by the results. You should be too busy servicing your new customers that having to deal with consistently managing your own SEO strategy.

Tyneside Marketing can help you do this, with tailored solutions to you goals and budget. If you want to learn more about our SEO work, click here.