You could run the best senior living facility and never get found on the internet if your SEO isn’t effective. Search engine optimization is essential to visibility. Keywords guide how often your website is seen as well as who sees it. You need to be presented to as many people who fit your target audience as possible. That’s where local SEO can help.
What Is Local SEO?
Search engine optimization, or SEO, means that your website is set up to generate traffic organically. It means you incorporate relevant keywords that your audience uses when they search for your service. You must have everything complete with quality content and strategies that further your reach.
Local SEO is similar, but with a geographic focus. The practice uses the same methods but zeroes in on a specific region. It’s ideal for businesses that have a limited area of operation. For example, a pizza shop needs to reach customers within its delivery range rather than internet users who are hundreds of miles away. To do this, the pizza shop will likely choose keywords that include the names of towns and neighborhoods within a certain distance of their location.
Chances are much of your clientele will come from your geographic region. Families want their elderly loved ones to be close. They want to be able to stop in and see them. They also want to be nearby in case of emergencies or problems.
There is no set rule as far as how many miles your local SEO can reach. Some businesses may operate in just one small town while others may operate in multiple towns or part of an entire state. It all relies on the way you choose your keywords and market your website.
The Power of Local SEO
Local SEO is a powerful tool that can build your senior living business. Google is the most popular search engine in the world. Approximately 46% of Google searches are looking for local information. An impressive 97% of search engine users have turned to the web to seek out a local business.
Approximately 86% of consumers use the internet as a source of information on local businesses, while 29% search for local companies at least once a week or more. And 72% of consumers who searched for local establishments visited the business when the location was within five miles.
The internet is where your local community goes to learn about facilities like yours. That means you need to be prominently positioned so that they are more likely to find and notice you. Over one million searches for terms like “assisted living” and “home care services” are performed monthly. And for many consumers, their online experience with your business begins with a search engine.
How to Get Local Search Engine Optimized
There are many facets to SEO. You need to address them all to maximize the potential return on your marketing investment. Keywords play a vital role, but they aren’t the only thing to consider. You need to be found in online directories, citations, and on social media. You need to be accessible and active on the internet. The following tips can help you get started:
- Claim Your Listings – Many platforms allow businesses to create listings. These are usually profiles with basic details, contact information, and other things consumers want to find. If you don’t create your listing, someone else may do it for you. Make sure you find all your listings and claim ownership of them. Create any that haven’t been added yet to maximize your visibility.
- Complete Your Profiles – When claiming listings and creating profiles, make sure all the information is filled out. Everything should be as full as possible. Keep in mind that most consumers won’t put in a lot of effort to find basic information like a phone number or email. Make everything as readily available as you can.
- Check for NAP Consistency – NAP refers to your name, address, and phone number. These three things must be displayed consistently across the web. That includes small details like how you type your business name. Each piece of information should appear in the same format every time. For example, if your name includes an LLC or Inc., then your listings and profiles need to match what is shown on your official website.
- Get Familiar with Google My Business – Google My Business is a free tool that you can use to manage your online presence. If you haven’t already, you should log in to your account and get familiar with the features. You should also make sure all details are up to date, and you have clear, professional photos uploaded.
- Ask for Client Reviews – Online reviews are another powerful tool that local consumers use to vet businesses. You can’t force anyone to post a review, but you can find clever ways to encourage clients to do so while remaining ethical. This should be an ongoing process because new reviews carry more weight than old ones.
Professional Local SEO for Your Senior Living Business
Search engine optimizing your website can take a lot of time, especially if you are not familiar with the process. The easiest and most cost-effective method is to hire a professional. Someone who understands current best practices can provide advice and work with you to turn your website into a lead-generating resource for your business.
Senior Care Websites handles everything from web design to reputation management and visibility. Contact us today to learn more about how we can use local SEO to bring more families to your senior living business.
