Web Analytics Made Easy - Statcounter

9 Local Lakeland SEO Hacks for Better Ranking

Local SEO

Lakeland SEO : You need powerful local SEO hacks to attract your area’s customers when you are a business owner in Lakeland, Florida. While more and more people have started using Google to find services, you would optimize your business presence online to appear as high as possible in local search results. Here are nine solid ways to increase visibility and drive traffic to your business.

1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the most crucial element in local search rankings. An optimized profile increases users’ chances of entering Google’s local pack and map results. To improve your profile:

  • Ensure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are correct.
  • Branch hours are maintained and updated.
  • Post high-quality pictures of your location, service, or products.
  • Choose the most relevant business categories.
  • Encourage customer reviews and respond to them.

A well-optimized Google Business Profile indicates credibility while optimally increasing the chances of ranking well in local search queries within Lakeland.

2. Using Location-Specific Keywords

Adding geo-specific keywords to your site has helped Google understand your relevance to the local search. Rather than generic words, use locational-based keywords such as:

  • Best hair salon in Lakeland.
  • Lakeland HVAC repair services.
  • Affordable dentist in Lakeland, FL.

Incorporate them as localized keywords in your website content, meta descriptions, and headings to improve search visibility.

3. Get a Listing on Local Directories

Giving local directories consistency builds trust with that area’s search engines and helps the potential customer find you. From the following directories, make sure your business is listed:

  • Google Business Profile.
  • Yelp.
  • Bing Places.
  • The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce.
  • Any other industry-specific directories.

Of course, ensure your NAP is consistent across servers because inconsistency can damage your local search rankings.

4. Encourage and Manage Customer Reviews

Customer reviews are crucial ranking factors for local SEO; the more positive reviews your business enjoys, the greater the chance of its visibility in the search results. You can visit a few sources, such as Google, Facebook, and Yelp.

The more reviews you respond to, positive or negative, the more engaged and trustworthy you seem with customers, thus improving your reputation online and SEO performance.

5. Have Your Website Mobile-Friendly

Considering that most local searches occur on mobile devices, it is essential to have a mobile-optimized website. A mobile-friendly website should have the following:

  • Load quickly (within three seconds).
  • Have texts that are easy to read and easy to navigate.
  • Feature buttons that are clickable for calls and directions.

Google ranks mobile-friendly websites higher. Hence, the need for a mobile-optimized website for local businesses is critical.

6. Write Locally Focused Content

Writing location-relevant content can boost your local search presence and create retiree confidence in your business at Lakeland. Some topics to include:

  • Events and news in the area.
  • Industry-specific insights customized for Lakeland clients.
  • Case studies or testimonials from local customers.

Blogging about local topics helps drive even more people to your website.

7. Get Backlinks from Local Websites

Backlinks from trusted local sources signal credibility to search engines. You can build local backlinks, such as:

  • Cross-promotions with other businesses in Lakeland.
  • Feature on local news sites and blogs.
  • Sponsorships of community events may gain you mention on a local website.

The more relevant backlinks your site possesses, the higher its search ranking.

8. Optimize for Voice Search

Since there has been a significant rise in voice search, optimize the content for a natural language query. Hence, use these long-tail keywords to improve your chances of appearing in more voice searches:

  • Where would I get fresh seafood in Lakeland?
  • Have FAQ pages with clear answers to common customer questions.
  • Write in a conversational tone, as in how people speak.

Optimizing for voice search will, thus, improve visibility for coming searches based in Lakeland.

9. Connect with the Local Community via Social Media and Engage in Social Media Infrastructure

Being active on social media strengthens your locality through potential customers’ searches for businesses. You can do this by making updates about content specifically in Lakeland, reporting local offers, discounts, and events, and joining activities in Lakeland Facebook groups and community forums.

This might not initially affect SEO ratings, but it will increase brand awareness, drive traffic to the website, and initiate a new agenda.

Local SEO takes a much more consistent effort, from optimizing the Google Business Profile to engaging customers online from that locality. Using these nine strategies, your business can improve its rank in Lakeland search results and obtain more local customers. Would you like an expert in your local SEO tactics? Great Impressions works to raise a business’s rank in local search engines.

About the Author

 John Robins

John Robins

Managing Partner and Growth-Marketing Consultant, John Robins, began his career on the client side in the United Kingdom with the internationally renowned breakfast cereal company Weetabix Ltd, joining his first international advertising agency, Lintas, in Dubai in 1985; moving to BBDO in 1991. John has worked on some of the world’s most iconic brands, including PepsiCo, General Motors, Qantas Airlines, KLM, British Airways, Emirates, Emaar, Energizer, Unilever, Mars, HSBC, and Standard Chartered Bank, to name a few. John lived in Dubai for 35 years and has worked on leading brands for over 40 years. John and his partner Kiron John took over Great Impressions in October 2018. Following their early success, they now have offices in Tampa, Lakeland, and Winter Haven, USA.