How Small Businesses here in Findlay Ohio Can Compete Against Corporate Giants and Rank Higher in Local Search Results
Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a challenging task for small businesses, and many of them struggle to rank in the local search results. Unfortunately, the situation is even more difficult due to the presence of big corporations that use their size to grab local web traffic. The reality is that many businesses that appear on the first page of Google search results are not local at all.
Just Look at Findlay Ohio
For instance, if you search for “Findlay Web Design,” you will notice that there is only one business with an actual Findlay Ohio address, and another one is located in Columbus, Ohio. The rest of the businesses are not even Ohio-based, yet they make it seem like they are. if you were to actually look around at registered businesses and dig a little bit deeper, you would find several businesses, including ours, just down the street from downtown Findlay and in Arlington right on Route 68. There’s something that feels off if you look at the initial result of “Findlay Web Design,” One would expect actual proximity would factor into a particular city search and that would illicit more localization within the results and not seeing an Illinois web company that is so prominant. The reality is that companies that show up so highly in local search results in cities that they have no physical presence are utilizing localized SEO tactics, and it can come off as spammy.
The Problem for Actual Local Businesses
The problem is that these larger companies have more resources to invest in their SEO strategies, making it more difficult for smaller businesses to compete. Google’s algorithm considers several factors such as your website’s relevance, authority, and overall user experience. Historically, only companies with deep pockets could afford to improve their websites relevance, authority, and overall user experience (that is no longer true if you work with a company like McNair Media on your website design).
Ways to Compete Against Bigger Businesses
One way to improve your local search presence is by creating a Google Business Profile. This approach is ideal for businesses with a physical location because it enables them to capture a local search presence. When creating a Google business profile, you must provide accurate and detailed information about your business, such as your address, phone number, business hours, and website. simply creating a Google Business Profile and having a competent website can put you far ahead of a big company trying to encroach on your local region.
However, it’s important to understand that having a physical location is not the only factor that determines your business’s local search presence. Website SEO is another crucial factor for improving your local search presence. Your website must be optimized for local keywords, and the content should be relevant to your business’s location. Additionally, your website must be mobile-friendly and have a fast-loading time, as these factors are critical for user experience.
Local SEO is undoubtedly a difficult task for small businesses, especially when competing with larger corporations that use their size to grab local web traffic. However, by creating a Google Business Profile, optimizing your website for local keywords, and providing an excellent user experience, you can improve your local search presence and attract more customers to your business. This is where we can help. We provide affordable websites to local businesses here in Hancock County Ohio and would love to work with you!
