Many local business owners who are yet to create a website wonder if it is possible to make their services visible on search engines or not. Is there a way to optimize your business for local SEO without a website? Yes.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) helps search engines understand your content better and rank it for the relevant searches. These activities are usually performed for websites, but they are possible without a website.
Here are some tips to optimize your business for local SEO without a website.
Google Business Profile, previously known as Google My Business, is a free tool by Google that helps local businesses meet higher visibility for the relevant local searches.
You can list your business and create a Google Business Profile. Go to GMB and create a profile by adding your business name, address, phone number, and other details.
Your business will appear in the local searches above the competitors if you use the right keywords in your profile. It will help your customers discover you and engage with your business.
Read: Step-by-step Setup Guide for Google My Business Set up
After completing the sale or service, ask your customer to write a review for your business. It will help further optimize your Google Business Profile.
Generate review links using the “Share Review form” and share them with your audience over SMS, WhatsApp, social media, etc.
Reviews have the potential to encourage your potential customers to avail of your services. Don't forget that reviews published online are equal to personal recommendations.
Don't worry if you don't have a website. To get noticed and found online, you can get help from local listings. You can expand your reach by optimizing these local business directories with all your business details.
When your potential customer searches for the service or product you offer, these directories help them reach you without knowing about you. Create a strong business profile on these directories and let customers find you.
Take a look at the screenshot below, showing an example of a business listing with no website.
Social media is a powerful weapon to reach potential customers for businesses of all types and sizes.
By doing effective marketing on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, etc., you can take your business to another level without creating a website.
Below is an example where a business is leveraging the Facebook platform without having a website.
You are likely to reach a more extensive audience base using these platforms that will give a much-needed boost to your local business. It will also help in creating buzz.
Even if you don't have a website but a YouTube channel, you will create buzz online. Your local business will have face value, and if you upload engaging content, you will take your business up a notch.
Take a look at the below screenshot of a plumbing business that does it well by producing various content for the Youtube audience.
To make it work, you can indulge in YouTube SEO as well. Ensure that you are putting out quality and engaging content.
Podcasts are a rage, and you can bank on it. You can start your podcast and start conversations there. You can also invite guests to collaborate and create exciting stuff to engage existing and potential consumers.
Even if you don’t have the site, several podcast platforms have billions of users to share your podcasts.
Podcasting will help you get your name there, promote your expertise, and network with industry leaders and audiences alike.
Don't have a website?
You don't need to worry. You can do local SEO for images and videos anyway. All you have to do is to update their Geotags.
Geotags are geographical location tags that will help your videos and photographs to rank at the top of the search engine.
Local businesses should upload photographs and videos on social media, Google Business Profile, and other places. Such optimization will give your business the visibility it deserves.
You should keep a significant presence in local community events. Offer sponsorships, volunteer for substantial work, provide your business space, etc. This will allow people to take note of your efforts and create a buzz about your business.
You can ask them to put in words for your business online and tag you. This will help the word get out and boost your local SEO without a website.
Did you know that Google picks up local businesses on its own to tag on Google Maps?
Yes, that happens.
If your business is a well-known name in the local community and Google watches a trend among users to search for it, it will pick up your business location and tag it on the Maps.
You don't have to create a website, and your business is online. All you need to do is establish a good business rapport.
Read: How Can You Make Use of Google Maps for Your Local Business?
There is no better way than this to get published online and offline without a website. You do the work offline, let local media cover you, and a good PR online. This will give your business a boost in online searches.
You don't need a website to get local SEO to work for you. Such efforts will make your visibility on search engines better.
Ans. It is not necessary but recommended. However, there are many other ways to put local SEO efforts without having a website to boost business.
Ans. Yes, your business can rank on Google without a website. You can get your name entered in local listings, directories, and more.
Ans. Your business can be seen on Google by creating a GMB profile, entering into local listings and directories, having social media profiles, etc.
Brice has been handling marketing projects for more than 12 years and he is providing consulting services on SEO, Social Media and PPC. He has a huge expertise in working at large corporations including Accenture Interactive & PwC Digital Services.
Brice has been handling marketing projects for more than 12 years and he is providing consulting services on SEO, Social Media and PPC. He has a huge expertise in working at large corporations including Accenture Interactive & PwC Digital Services.
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