Here are the top 5 tips for local SEO in Google:
Optimise your Google My Business listing: Claim and verify your Google My Business (GMB) listing, add accurate and up-to-date information about your business, such as your address, phone number, website, business hours, and photos. Encourage customers to leave reviews on your GMB listing, respond to all reviews (especially negative ones), and use Google Posts to share updates, offers, and events.
Target local keywords: Research and target relevant keywords with a local intent, such as "plumber in [city name]", "pizza delivery near me", or "best coffee shop in [neighbourhood name]". Use these keywords naturally in your website content, meta titles and descriptions, and local business directories.
Build local citations and backlinks: A citation is a mention of your business's name, address, and phone number (NAP) on other websites, such as local business directories, review sites, or news sites. Backlinks are links from other websites to your website. Both citations and backlinks help Google understand your business's location and relevance. Make sure your NAP is consistent across all online directories, and seek opportunities to earn high-quality backlinks from local websites.
Use schema markup: Schema markup is a type of structured data that helps search engines understand the content of a webpage. Use schema markup to highlight your business's NAP, hours of operation, customer reviews, products, and services. This can help your website appear more prominently in search results, and can also enable rich snippets, such as star ratings or event dates.
Engage with your local community: Participate in local events, sponsor local organisations or charities, and network with other local businesses. This can help build brand awareness, earn local backlinks and citations, and generate positive word-of-mouth. You can also create local content, such as blog posts or videos, that highlight local news, events, or attractions, and share them on social media or your website.