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So you want to head out to a nice restaurant tonight but you’re not sure which one, or maybe you’re finally able to go on a holiday some place, and you need to check out hotel options – what do you do? You go online and search, right? That’s precisely the same thing your prospective customers do when they’re looking for a product or service from local businesses. They grab their phone or laptop and search for what they need.

So, if you’re a local business, you must have a robust local SEO strategy so that people can easily find you when they search for something that you can supply. Not convinced? Take a look at these 8 remarkable local SEO statistics that can actually help you get more business.

1. 97% of people find a local business through online searches

This stat means that almost everyone with access to the web will use a search engine like Google to find a local business. If your business appears in those search results every time they search, that can have a huge impact on the overall health of your local business. But if you don’t have a local SEO strategy in place, then you’re missing out on those leads, and search engines will not even recognise that you have a local presence.

2. 50% of people who perform a local search on their phone will visit a local store within 24 hours

Half of all people who do a local search using a mobile phone actually take action and visit a local store they found online within a day. That means that they are in their final stages of making a purchase. Local businesses that appear in their search results are most likely to benefit from their final purchase.

3. 86% of online searchers use Google Maps to find a local business

Google Maps play a vital role in the way users engage with local businesses. With 86% of online searches using it to find a local store, it’s critical to claim your Google My Business page so that Google will find you and rank you well, so your customers to find you.

4. 46% of all Google searches have local intent

46% of all people doing Google searches look for a local business. There are roughly 3.5 billion searches per day, which means that a staggering 1.6 billion searches every day are looking for a local business. When people look for a local business, the intent to purchase is there, ultimately resulting in a conversion rate. A fully optimised website is critical to making it happen.

5. 80% of local searches convert

Local searches have a very high conversion rate of 80%. Your competitors know about this, so a local SEO strategy is absolutely critical to ensure that your business isn’t left behind. In other words, if you want people to choose your business, you must have a strong local search strategy in place.

6. Over 55% of consumers use voice search to find a local business

There has been a tremendous increase in the production of voice search-capable devices over recent years and statistics show that over 55% of consumers now use voice search to find a local business. You simply can’t miss the opportunity of converting those leads to your business. Every business needs to constantly adapt to the ever-changing landscape of SEO, and a voice search strategy is just one of many factors that need to be considered.

7. 61% of consumers contact a local business with a mobile-friendly site

In today’s digital world, people prefer websites that are mobile-friendly and have accelerate mobile pages. Most people who look for local businesses are busy people. They are always on the go and don’t have the time or the patience to wait for websites that are slow to respond and aren’t easy to use. Sites that load quickly and are easy to navigate will earn more customers, leading to higher conversion rates.

8. 88% of local consumers read online reviews first before deciding

A great brand reputation always comes with excellent customer reviews, and this is what 88% of local consumers look for first before deciding on their purchase, both for products and services. Customer reviews are feedback from real people who have had actual experience with your business. Excellent customer reviews can drive great sales and they are extremely important in the consumers’ purchase decision.

Make it happen

If you’ve reached this far in our blog, you’re most likely a local business owner. We’re pretty sure that these statistics have hit a nerve or two and have sparked some thoughts as to how you can grab a bigger piece of the local search pie. We hope these tips have helped but we know that it can be a real challenge to find the time and resources to beat your competitors in the online search space.

If your SEO strategy isn’t quite making the grade and you need a hand to improve your results, our team of experts is here to help. Check out some of our works here or contact us for a chat about how we can help you make it happen. We know that your results will improve once we’re worked our online magic for your local business.