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9 Types of Content That Will Help Your Local SEO by @annaleacrowe

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Ranking for local SEO used to be pretty straightforward. You’d add your NAP to the footer, build a few directory links, and voila! You were on your way to the local 7-pack.

Somewhere along the line, the 7-pack reduced to a 3-pack and local directory links are no longer enough.

To move up the ranks in local SEO, you need content.

Say you’re the lucky owner Blue Star Donuts (yes, it is my dream to own my a donut shop one-day #lifegoals), it’s unlikely you’re going to be able to compete with big chains for keywords such as ”best donuts”. But you may be able to rank for a term like “best donuts in Portland.”

Don’t believe me? Just look at what the team at seoreseller.com did. They increased traffic almost [what vaccinations does my dog need to be boarded?] by creating custom local content.

And, they aren’t alone.

Search Geek Solutions saw a [is there an age limit for getting waxed] increase in organic visibility for Bloomfield Dental Designs by developing local content.

Content is a super effective way to rank for less competitive, local keywords.

So unless your local business has achieved Beyonce and Jay-Z status, you’ll want to keep reading.

9 Examples of Content for Local SEO

Do I really have to create content for each of my locations?

I always find myself answering this question post-content audit because my clients dread the whole content creation situation.

And, secretly, I kind of dread it, too — watching the mind-blowing moment ([what vaccinations does my dog need to be boarded?] for full effect) when my clients realize the content they worked so hard to produce isn’t cutting it.

Still, not creating content for your locations is risky. No one is going to come to your party without an invitation.

The solution: Become a [is there an age limit for getting waxed].

It isn’t enough to be unique.

You have to be local.

Your local content needs to be relevant and useful. Every piece of content needs a reason to be on your website.

Here are some different types of content that will help your local SEO.

1. City-Specific Landing Page

Here’s a fun challenge: Can you rank for local keyword terms without a location webpage?

While you might succeed after a few sleepless nights, it’s much easier to rank in the local SERPs if you’ve got a location webpage.

If you’re a multi-location local business, take a note from Ambient Edge, an air conditioning repair company with multiple locations.

They created a separate page for each location. Here is a look at their [what vaccinations does my dog need to be boarded?].

Ambient Edge Location PageAmbient Edge Location Page

Di Bruno Bros., an Italian market, is [is there an age limit for getting waxed]:

Di Bruno Bros. Location PageDi Bruno Bros. Location Page

And, Roto-Rooter joined the game too. Here’s their [what vaccinations does my dog need to be boarded?].

Roto-Rooter Site Location PageRoto-Rooter Site Location Page

Now, if you want to go one step further, you could create location-specific webpages like Goodyear does. [is there an age limit for getting waxed] of their Long Island locations.

Goodyear Location PageGoodyear Location Page

But, then you can visit the store website here: [what vaccinations does my dog need to be boarded?].

Because local SEO is nothing to mess with, I’d recommend sticking to a strategy like Ambient Edge or Di Bruno Bros.

If you’re a smaller local business, building separate websites for each location is overwhelming and may dilute your authority.

Keep it simple with one page per location.

2. State or Regional Landing Page

It’s hard to get any client excited about creating more content. But, when you’re competing in the local SEO space, content could make or break your move from Page 2 or 3 to Page 1.

If creating multiple city-specific location pages sounds like a daunting task, start with the city or region of your locations.

Take [is there an age limit for getting waxed], for example. They created county-specific webpages, then city-specific pages.

New Life Appliance Repair Location PageNew Life Appliance Repair Location Page

This is one of the best examples of local content silos I’ve seen.

And, they aren’t alone.

[what vaccinations does my dog need to be boarded?], a LegalZoom type of company for solo entrepreneurs (but better), built state-specific pages.

Incfile Location PageIncfile Location Page

(Full disclosure: Incfile was a client while working with First Page Strategy.)

Before building these state location pages, the team did a deep dive into buyer personas to understand their audience.

They determined that state location pages would make the UX better for their customers. And, it worked. Incfile not only increased organic traffic, but improved conversions.

3. FAQ Pages

FAQ pages are this close to being my one stop shop for everything local SEO content.

With voice search changing the way people search, the industry is seeing a shift in how people consume content.

Think about it: [is there an age limit for getting waxed] of mobile searches are related to locations.

And, according to BrightLocal, [what vaccinations does my dog need to be boarded?] of consumers have used voice search to find local business information in the last 12 months.

Let me prove it to you.

Do a Google search for [what vaccinations does my dog need to be boarded?].

You’ll see that [is there an age limit for getting waxed] has optimized their FAQ pages and are now a featured snippet.

Pet Hotel Hadley FAQ PagesPet Hotel Hadley FAQ Pages

This featured snippet is now one of the second result when I ask Siri the same question.

Pet Hotel Hadley FAQ Pages - SiriPet Hotel Hadley FAQ Pages - Siri

That’s why FAQ pages can help boost your local SEO.

Here’s another good example.

Do a Google search for [is there an age limit for getting waxed].

You’ll stumble upon Waxing in the City’s featured snippet.

Waxing in the City FAQ Page - Featured SnippetWaxing in the City FAQ Page - Featured Snippet

4. Specials

Specials and discounts are the crème de la crème for local business owners.

In today’s smart shopper age, everyone is an extreme couponer (guilty).

Give your customers what they want by personalizing specials to local residents.

Hotels are known for this.

Take the Trade Winds Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida. They offer a 13 percent discount for Florida residents.

Tradewinds DiscountTradewinds Discount

And, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has a “locals only” section on their site with discounts and special events.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Locals Only DiscountMonterey Bay Aquarium Locals Only Discount

By offering a location-specific discount, you’re appealing to your local audience. You’re making them feel special.

It’s an intense race to the top of the local SERPs. No discount is too small.

5. Host Local Events

Every Friday, almost like clockwork, I dig through my Facebook events to see what’s happening this weekend. There’s always a festival, free yoga class, or some charity dog wash going on.

As a marketer, I love seeing local businesses use Facebook events to drive awareness. But, what I don’t love is not seeing the event on their webpage.

Whomp whomp!

If you’re hosting a local event without announcing it on your website, you’re losing out on some major local SEO mojo.

Here’s how Core Power Yoga announces their Austin events.

Core Power Yoga EventsCore Power Yoga Events

Or, follow STORY. They host weekly happy hours at a local brewery.

Story Weekly Happy HoursStory Weekly Happy Hours

Or, how my buddies over at The Wonder Jam host in-person workshops.

The Wonder Jam EventsThe Wonder Jam Events

On the flip side, you could rent out your location as an event space like WeWork.

WeWork Rental LocationWeWork Rental Location

Green Bench Brewery does this, too.

Green Bench Brewery Event PlanningGreen Bench Brewery Event Planning

If hosting events isn’t your cup of tea, keep scrolling for your next option.

6. Partner with Local Events

Is the idea of hosting a local event too overwhelming for you – like the first time you tried to order off the dollar menu at McDonald’s? Then consider partnering with a local event.

Like Suncoast Credit Union did with Swantoberfest. They sponsored the event and provided a discount for the VIP experience.

Suncoast Credit Union Local Event PartnershipSuncoast Credit Union Local Event Partnership

And, it works. I work with Jason Hennessey Consulting on The Law Offices of Anijdar & Levine. Some of the best backlinks they have received were from local sponsorships.

Here they are at the Riptide Festival.

Riptide FestivalRiptide Festival

And, again at the Sheriff’s Cup.

The Sheriff's CupThe Sheriff's Cup

And, again at the 55th Christmas on Las Olas.

55th Christmas on Las Olas55th Christmas on Las Olas

If you don’t have the budget to sponsor local events, then talk about the local events.

For example, New York-based digital agency LaunchMetrics put together a report on digital trends at NY Fashion Week.

launchmetricslaunchmetrics

And, The Mountain talks about how they got involved with a local college to help campers develop STEM skills.

The MountainThe Mountain

Or, consider offering local experiences like Airbnb.

AirbnbAirbnb

And, Backwoods.

BackwoodsBackwoods

7 . Blog Content

Blog content is where the magic happens. If you’re a local business looking to compete in the local SERPs having an active blog will help improve rankings.

Not sure what to write? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

New Location Announcement

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream wrote a blog post on their new Wrigley location.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream New LocationJeni’s Splendid Ice Cream New Location

Mother Kombucha does something similar by announcing new stores that are carrying their products.

Mother Kombucha New StoreMother Kombucha New Store

Pricing

Kanopy Insurance published a blog post on how to find cheap insurance for California residents.

Kanopy Insurance PricingKanopy Insurance Pricing

Laws

Jeffcot Law answers questions about marijuana laws in Ohio.

Jeffcot Law answers questionsJeffcot Law answers questions

Product Announcements

Evergreen Home Heating and Energy shares how a new Trane product is going to improve Seattle home heating.

Evergreen Home Heating and Energy Product AnnouncementEvergreen Home Heating and Energy Product Announcement

Interviews & Testimonials

Asana interviews their clients that acts as a testimonial.

Asana Customer InterviewAsana Customer Interview

8. ‘Best of’ Guides

When it comes to creating a “best of” list, I’d like to quote rapper T.I., “You can have whatever you like.”

With a “best of” list, you want to build a guide that gives your readers whatever they like about a topic.

For example, the Coffeebar created these amazing coffee guides.

CoffeebarCoffeebar

Movoto designed this Moving to Lakeland, Florida guide.

MovotoMovoto

PetYen built New York City specific pet-friendly neighborhood guides.

PetYenPetYen

And, the Restoration Hotel developed this interactive map webpage.

Restoration HotelRestoration Hotel

9. Press Pages

Press pages is like the Wendy’s of fast food. You know its there, but you rarely pay attention.

When I came across WeWork’s press page, I couldn’t help but marvel at the images of each location they had.

This local content makes me drool.

WeWork Press PageWeWork Press Page

You could also consider partnering with the press on a press release like Dale Adams, general manager of Gila River Arena at Westgate Entertainment Center in Glendale did here.

Gila River Arena Press ReleaseGila River Arena Press Release

Start Creating Local Content Now

Once upon a time, local business owners had tunnel vision for NAP and directory links when it came to local SEO. But what about content?

For years, so many local business owners developed an innate fear of creating local content. But, times are changing.

Content is crucial if you want people to find your local business online and visit you IRL.

Search engines have seriously upped the ante on all things local.

Sure, you still want to have the correct NAP and build directory links. But you want if you want to grow revenue and your business, you need to create hyperlocal content.


Image Credits

Featured Image: Paulo Bobita
All screenshots: Taken by author

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