There’s no denying that the way businesses market themselves has changed astronomically over the decades. Gone are the days of being the only go-to shop in town or being recommended by Johnny down the road. Gone are the days of telephone books and browsing the Yellow Pages. And, as it stands, the days of magically appearing at the very top of a localised Google search results page are likely also falling into the past.
That is, unless you’re actively working on achieving that goal, utilising all the tools and resources you can manage. It’s not an easy feat, and it’d be unfair to assume that every business owner has the knowledge required to rank first on Google. But that’s also where the magic of hiring a local SEO company comes into play.
SEO (search engine optimisation) and GEO (generative engine optimisation) experts keep up to date with the latest trends and use that knowledge to help your company’s website rank. But if you need more convincing, let’s take a closer look at five benefits of hiring a local SEO company to boost your rankings and drive traffic to your website and your business.
1. Access To Industry Knowledge
You wouldn’t attempt to fix your brand-new, ultra-tech hybrid car should you find yourself with a fault or squeeze in behind your dishwasher if it suddenly started leaking, but when it comes to Google and SEO, many people believe they can just wing it.
While there are some concepts you can quickly learn when first diving into the world of SEO and a certain wealth of knowledge you can access by hopping on an SEO crash course, truly understanding the field and keeping on top of emerging trends takes time and dedication. This has never been more true than it is today, as AI-driven developments are changing the search industry at an alarming rate.
Industry-specific ‘speak’ like navigating sponsored posts, ranking in featured snippets, utilising schema, or catering to “People Also Ask” are one thing, but phrases like optimising for GEO and landing in AI Overviews didn’t even exist a few months ago. And how could any busy entrepreneur be expected to keep on top of these developments as well as run a successful business?
But by hiring an SEO agency, you get access to all of that industry knowledge without having to spend your time watching the latest developments like a hawk and adapting strategies in real time. And while Google’s market share has dropped for the first time in the last decade due to the rise of ChatGPT and other AI models, ranking in the top positions — and especially at the top of local search results — is still paramount.
2. Well-Optimised Google Business Profile
There is general small business SEO that focuses on broader goals like developing a focused content plan, hitting top rankings, and driving traffic, and then there is purely localised SEO, which is related but more targeted at hitting those “near me” listings. This is particularly important for smaller businesses operating in localised areas, like community plumbers, accountants, doctors, art shops, or any other entrepreneur focused on a particular area for proximity queries.
Certain SEO factors are more important for localisation than they are in broader SEO, and none of those is more paramount than a strong Google Business Profile (what was formerly known as Google My Business).
If you’ve ever searched for a business or service in your area, you’ve undoubtedly come across Google’s Local Pack (also known as the Map Pack or Local 3-Pack) and Local Finder — the map with up to three on-target business links and the option to expand the search further. Stats show that businesses listed in the 3-Pack get 93% more actions than others, and this is where a well-optimised Google Business Profile aims to land your business.
Some aspects of the Google Business Profile may seem relatively straightforward, like entering your business name, an accurate location, opening hours, links, etc. But what seems simple in theory can quickly turn into a more complex operation if you’re not entirely sure how to go about it.
By working with local SEO services, you can rest easy knowing that your Google Business Profile is well taken care of, that your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) strategy is strong, and that your work actually adheres to Google’s Business Profile guidelines, so you can reap all the benefits without carrying any of the worries.
3. Improved Local Search Visibility
While appearing in the Local 3-Pack or the Local Finder organically is a surefire way to drive sales, it’s not the only way that hiring an SEO agency can help your business stand out. In addition to appearing in Google Maps, working with an SEO company Australia trusts can also help you appear in local searches for more targeted keywords.
For example, if you’re operating a hair salon in Point Piper, you’ll want to rank for localised keywords like “best hair salon in point piper” or even a slightly broader “hair salons in sydney”. Optimising your Google Business Profile may get you halfway there, but you’ll also need to work on a whole array of other targets, including optimising reviews (both Google and third-party reviews) and developing a directed content plan.
This requires very focused keyword research and knowledge of industry-specific tools, but by working with local SEO services, you can utilise their skillset to your advantage.
4. Increased Website Traffic
Related to improved local search visibility and targeting high-value keywords is the promise of increased website traffic. By optimising business profiles, reviews, technical SEO, schema, content direction, generative search results, and on-page SEO, your business website will be on the fast track to increased website traffic — and quality website traffic at that.
By targeting location-specific keywords and enhancing a multitude of local SEO ranking factors, your SEO agency ensures your site reaches its desired audience — internet users who are actual leads and have the potential to turn into paying customers.
They’ll not only ensure that you have the right content packages and landing pages in place to attract these customers, but also that your user experience and website design, and on-page and technical SEO aspects are best utilised to keep your bounce rate low and your retention and conversion rates high.
5. Long-Term Returns On Investment
At the end of the day, all of these factors — access to up-to-date industry knowledge, well-optimised business profiles, increased search visibility, and higher website traffic — work together to give you long-term high-value ROI.
Optimising for search results is not a short-term strategy. Unlike a newspaper advert that is here today and gone tomorrow, working on your website’s online presence is a gift that keeps on giving, and the more — and the longer — you invest, the longer you’ll reap the benefits.
Businesses with a more well-established digital footprint do better in Google search, and the latest stats show that over 70% of pages ranking on the first page are over 5 years old — a percentage that’s increased significantly over the last decade.
This only means one thing, that by investing in your digital presence today, you’re well on your way to beating the competition now and in the future.
So What Are You Waiting For?
Many small business owners will find the SEO game daunting, held back by limiting beliefs that they have no idea where to begin or that it’s too late to start. They then choose not to invest in hiring an SEO agency at all because seeing tangible results takes a little bit longer.
But investing in SEO is not like buying a pie. It’s more like investing in your health, where the changes you make today won’t give you instant results, but they’ll make you look and feel a little bit better tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that, climbing exponentially as you soar to new levels.
And that alone sums up the key benefits of hiring a local SEO company and why it’s the best thing you can do for your business. So, contact PrecisionSEO today and let us help you find online success.
