The underestimated power of local landing pages could be the missing link in your SEO strategy. Do you really know how to leverage them effectively? Let’s dive into the intricacies of creating and optimizing local landing pages that can skyrocket your ranking for local search terms. Local landing pages often don’t receive the attention they deserve. Setting them up with basic information like name, address, phone number, and hours, and maybe throwing in a Google Map, seems sufficient. Add some generic copy, and you might even dare to include a call to action. Once done, it’s often out of sight, out of mind. Surprisingly, this “set it and forget it” approach works quite effectively for local SEO. But why does it work, and how can you optimize it further? Let’s explore the key elements and strategies.
1. Unveiling the Purpose of a Location Page
For retailers, location pages come in 3 fundamental types:
- Location Detail Page: Represents the physical location of a business.
- Location Service/Department Page: Highlights specific services or departments at the physical location.
- City Page: Represents the city where various physical locations are situated.
Depending on your industry, you might also consider additional pages like Region Pages. Service area businesses (SABs) follow a similar setup but may need additional City Pages for the areas they serve.
2. The Significance of Location Pages in SEO
Despite their simplicity, location pages play a crucial role in SEO for brands. They are tailor-made for two types of search queries:
- Brand Queries: Critical for showing up on Google when users search for a specific brand or location.
- Non-Brand Local Queries: Essential for attracting potential customers unfamiliar with your brand for specific queries.
Location pages are also a goldmine for external links, contributing to a site’s link profile.
3. Impact on Local Pack Rankings
The link between your Google Business Profile (GBP) and location pages is a critical ranking factor for Local Packs. Testing has shown that linking to a page targeting a specific city significantly influences Local Pack rankings. However, the homepage may have more location influence than a specific location page, so testing is essential.
4. Essential Elements of a Well-Optimized Location Page
- Name, Address, Phone Number (NAP): Consistency with GBP information is key.
- Structured Data: Utilize LocalBusiness schema to mark up NAP elements.
- Targeted Meta Data: Title tag and H1 should ideally target business name and location.
- Engagement Intangibles: Calls-to-action (CTAs) and online appointment features can positively signal page usefulness.
5. Advanced Location Page SEO Tactics
For those seeking to go beyond the basics:
- Optimized Copy: Consider unique copy for each location, testing its impact.
- Link to Nearby Locations: Enhances Googlebot crawlability and reinforces relevance.
- Topically Relevant Images and Videos: Improve ranking by incorporating relevant media.
- Link to Product/Service Category Pages: Pages linking to category pages tend to outrank others.
- Add Local Reviews: Regularly updated reviews can boost performance and page priority.
In conclusion, don’t underestimate the potential of local landing pages. Elevate them from mere placeholders to strategic assets in your SEO arsenal. By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your visibility in local search and establish a robust online presence.
Do you need a professional agency to optimize your local SEO? Get your free consultation with us Omnireach Digital.
