Want more customers at your door? The secret is Local SEO, and the majority of small businesses are just not using it.

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Here's the crazy part… 46% of all Google searches have local intent.

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That means nearly half of every person searching on Google this very second is looking for something near them.

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So if you're not appearing for those searches… you may as well be invisible.

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The truth is, local visibility can make or break your business. When someone searches for what you offer, and you're not in the results — that sale is going to go to your competitor.

In this guide, you're going to discover

• Why local search has never been more important
• The importance of Google Business Profile
• How reviews can help your rankings
• Optimising for mobile to drive local results
• Citation building that will work for you
• Creating local content to drive more traffic

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Time to roll up your sleeves and get to work!

Why Local Search Is More Important Than Ever

Local search is not some fancy new marketing trend that will disappear in a few years.

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Local search is how people find businesses now. When was the last time you needed something close to you? You probably reached for your phone and searched for it, right? That's exactly what your customers are doing.

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80% of US consumers search online for local businesses weekly, while 32% search for them daily. Here's what's even more powerful about that. When someone does a local search, they are ready to take action. They want to visit your store, call you, or make a purchase. They aren't just browsing — they have intent.

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If you aren't working with a local SEO agency in Melbourne (or where you're based) then now is the time to find one. Partnering with local experts like those at 8020 digital will help you dominate your local market while you focus on what you love — running your business. Best of all, local SEO services will show results — and often quickly.

The Power of Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is your single most important asset for local visibility. Period.

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When someone searches for your type of business, Google automatically displays the "Map Pack" — those three businesses shown with maps and reviews.

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Getting into that pack is like having a billboard on the busiest street in town.

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Now, here's the kicker…

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Customers are 2.7x more likely to trust a business with a complete Google profile.

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Meaning filling out every section, adding photos, and updating your information isn't optional — it's critical.

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Most businesses create their profile once and then completely forget about it. It's a massive mistake.

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Your Google Business Profile should be:

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• Regular posts and updates
• Fresh photos of your business
• Responding to every review
• Business hours are accurate
• Descriptions of your services
• Managing your Q&A section

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Treat your profile like your storefront because it is.

How Reviews Can Help Your Rankings

Did you know something crazy?

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Reviews are not just for customers to decide whether or not they want to choose you.

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Reviews also impact where you rank in local search results.

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Google takes into account the number of reviews, the quality, and how recently they were written.

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Meaning the more positive reviews you get, the higher you will rank.

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Here's what the data tells us:

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90% of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business.

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Your reviews are the first impression you make with potential customers.

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But don't stop there…

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Responding to reviews is just as important as getting them.

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When you respond to reviews (positive and negative), it signals to Google and your customers that you care about the experience you deliver.

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The best local SEO strategies for reviews include:

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• A system for consistently getting reviews
• Quick responses to all reviews
• Problem-solving negative feedback
• Thank-you messages for positive reviews

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Make getting reviews a regular part of your business, not something you remember to do once a year.

Mobile Optimisation For Local Search

Mobile search is a game-changer for local businesses.

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Think about it…

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When someone needs something right now, are they booting up their laptop or using their phone?

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Mobile search dominates.

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76% of people who perform a local search on their smartphone visit a business within 24 hours. 28% of local smartphone searches lead to a purchase.

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That's real money walking through your door.

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But most businesses make one mistake.

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Their website is not designed for mobile users. If your site takes forever to load or is difficult to navigate on a phone, you're losing customers before they even know what you offer.

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Your mobile experience should include:

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• Super-fast loading times (less than 3 seconds)
• Click-to-call buttons are large and obvious
• Text can be read without zooming in
• Navigation is simple and thumb-friendly
• Location and hours information is clear

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Don't make people work to become your customer. Make it ridiculously easy.

Building Citations That Actually Work For You

Citations are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number on the web.

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Google uses these citations to verify that your business is legitimate and where it is located.

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The more consistent the citations, the more Google trusts you.

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Here's where most businesses go wrong.

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They create citations with slightly different information. The phone number format might be different. Or they use Street in one place and St. in another.

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This inconsistency confuses Google and will hurt your rankings.

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Consistency is the key.

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Your business information needs to be exactly the same everywhere it appears:

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• Your website
• Google Business Profile
• Social media profiles
• Business directories
• Industry-specific listings

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Start by claiming your profiles on major directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and industry-specific sites. Then go through and ensure everything matches perfectly.

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It's tedious work but worth it.

Creating Local Content That Drives Traffic

Creating content for local search is a little different than your typical SEO content.

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You need to think about what people in your area are actually searching for.

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Generic content won't do the trick.

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The winning formula?

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Write about local topics that matter to your community. Cover local events, news, and issues related to your industry. Use location-specific keywords naturally throughout your content.

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For example, if you're a plumber in Sydney, write about common plumbing issues in Sydney homes, or how Sydney's water quality affects your pipes.

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This hyper-local content will help you rank for searches that your competitors are ignoring.

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Also, don't forget to:

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• Mention your service areas throughout your site
• Create separate pages for each location you serve
• Include local landmarks in your content
• Add location-based schema markup

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The more local signals you send to Google, the better.

Wrapping This Up

Local SEO isn't rocket science but does require consistent effort.

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The businesses dominating local search didn't get there by accident. They put in the work to optimize every aspect of their online presence for local visibility.

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Remember:

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46% of all Google searches have local intent.

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Your Google Business Profile is your most important asset.

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Reviews have a direct impact on your rankings.

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Mobile optimization is non-negotiable.

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Citation consistency is critical.

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If you implement these strategies, you will start to see more local customers finding your business, more website visits, more phone calls, and more people walking through your door.

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The best time to start was yesterday. The second-best time is now.

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Take action on even one of these strategies today — your future customers are already searching for you.

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