Local SEO in Edmonton: The Importance of Relevance, Distance, and Prominence

Local SEO is an essential aspect of search engine optimization (SEO) that helps businesses in Edmonton increase their visibility for local customers. Local SEO involves optimizing a website for local search queries and mapping services like Google Maps to increase the chances of being found by customers in the area.

There are many factors Google takes into consideration when ranking sites for local search results, which include:

Relevance

Relevance is an important factor that Google examines when evaluating websites in local search results. Google wants to provide the most relevant and useful results to users, so businesses must ensure that their website is relevant to the search query and the user’s location.

There are a variety of ways companies can enhance the value of their site to the local SEO within Edmonton:

1. Use local keywords: Add names of cities as well as any other relevant local keywords in your website’s metadata and content. This will help Google understand that your website is relevant to local search queries and targetting a particular geographical region.
2. Include location information on your website: Make it clear to Google that your business is located in Edmonton by including your address and phone number on your website.
3. Create location-specific content: Create content that is specific to the location you are in, Edmonton. It could be blog posts on local events, reviews on local companies, or even guides on the top things to do in the city.

By focusing on relevance, businesses in Edmonton can improve their ranking on Google for local search queries and attract more local customers. It is important to remember that relevance is only one aspect that Google examines when evaluating websites in local search results. It is equally important to consider prominence and distance in addition to other practices that are best for local SEO.

Distance

Distance is another element that Google evaluates when evaluating websites in local search results. Google is determined to provide its people with accurate and relevant results, which is why it will give preference to businesses closest to the user’s location.

There are many ways businesses can improve their website for the local area of SEO Edmonton:

1. Include your phone number and address on your site: This helps Google to understand where you are and improve your chance of being found in local searches.
2. Use local keywords: Add names of cities and any other relevant local keywords in your website’s metadata and content. This will assist Google in recognizing that your site is pertinent to local search queries.
3. Use geo-targeted keywords: In addition to local keywords, you can also use geo-targeted keywords that include the name of your city or neighborhood. This will help signal to Google that your business is located in a specific location in Edmonton.

By focusing on distance, businesses in Edmonton can improve their ranking on Google for local search queries and attract more local customers. It is crucial to remember that distance is not the only element that Google evaluates when evaluating websites in local search results. It is also crucial to consider prominence and other best practices to optimize local SEO.

Prominence

Prominence measures how well-known and established a business is in the local community. Google takes prominence into account when ranking websites for local search queries, as it indicates the business’s quality and reliability.

There are various ways companies in Edmonton could increase their visibility in local SEO.

1. Encourage reviews: When evaluating websites in local search results, Google considers customer reviews. Encourage your customers to write feedback on your Google Business Profile and other online platforms to boost your standing.
2. Get listed in online directories: Many online directories, such as Yelp and Yellow Pages, allow businesses to create a listing. By getting listed in these directories, you can improve your visibility for local customers and signal to Google that your company is well-established in the community.
3. Use social media: Advertise your company on social media platforms to boost its visibility and reach within your local area. This will increase your profile and strengthen your position in Google for local search results.
4. Participate in local events and sponsorships: You can increase your visibility in the community and improve your prominence by participating in local events and sponsorships.

By focusing on prominence, businesses in Edmonton can improve their ranking on Google for local search queries and attract more local customers. However, it is important to note that prominence is just one factor that Google considers when ranking websites for local search queries. 

Optimizing for Local SEO

To make your website more optimized with local search engine optimization in Edmonton, You should concentrate on these aspects:

Claim your Google Business Profile

Claiming your Google Business Profile is essential in optimizing your website for local SEO in Edmonton. A Google Business Profile listing is a free listing that allows businesses to manage their online presence on Google, including their listing in the local search results.

To claim a Google Business Profile listing, follow these steps:

1. Visit google.com/business, then sign in using Google.com/business and sign in with a Google account.
2. Search for your business to see if it is already listed. If it is, you can claim the listing. You can add it if it is not listed by clicking on the “Add your business” button.
3. Follow the instructions to confirm the legitimacy of your business. Google will send you a postcard to your business address, which includes the verification code. Enter the verification code to confirm your company.
4. After your business is confirmed, you can update and modify details like your address, telephone number, hours of operation, and even your website.
5. Upload videos and pictures of your business to provide clients with a better understanding of the services you provide.

By claiming your Google Business Profile listing and adding accurate information, you can improve your chances of appearing in the local search results and attract more customers to your business. It is important to keep your information up-to-date and respond to customer reviews to maintain a strong presence on Google.

Use local keywords

Local keywords are one of Edmonton’s most important aspects of local SEO. Local keywords are terms or phrases containing an address of the city or other locations specific to the vicinity. By including local keywords in your website’s metadata and content, You can tell Google that your site is relevant to local searches.

Here are some suggestions for using local keywords on your site:

1. Use local keywords in your website’s title tags and meta descriptions: Search engines use meta descriptions to comprehend the contents of your website. They are typically shown in the results of a search. Including local keywords within these tags will increase the chances of ranking for local searches.
2. Use local keywords in your website’s content: Use local keywords in the introduction, body, and final paragraphs of your website’s text to tell Google that your site is appropriate for local search queries.
3. Use geo-targeted keywords: In addition to local keywords, you can also use geo-targeted keywords that include the name of your city or neighborhood. This will help signal to Google that your business is located in a specific location in Edmonton. This is an especially useful tactic for real estate SEO.

Using local keywords in your website’s content and metadata can improve your chances of ranking for local search queries and attract more local customers to your business. It is essential to use these keywords naturally and avoid keyword stuffing, as this can hurt your ranking on search engines.

Get listed in online directories

Getting listed in online directories is important for local SEO in Edmonton. Online directories are websites that list businesses in a specific category or location. By getting listed in these directories, you can improve your visibility for local customers and signal to Google that your company is well-established in the community.

However, it is essential to be listed only in directories that relate to your site. Being listed in unrelated directories could be considered spam and affect your rankings on search engines.

Here are some suggestions to get to be listed in online directories:

1. Research directories: Look for online directories relevant to your business and location. Some popular directories for businesses in Edmonton include Yelp, Yellow Pages, and the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce.
2. Create a listing: Many online directories allow businesses to create a listing for free. Follow the prompts to create a listing for your business.
3. Add accurate information: Make sure to add accurate information to your listing, including your business name, address, phone number, website, and a description of your products or services.
4. Include photos and videos: Adding photos and videos of your business can help improve your visibility and attract more customers.

By getting listed in relevant online directories and adding accurate information, you can improve your visibility for local customers and signal to Google that your business is well-established in the community. This can help improve your ranking on search engines for local search queries.

Encourage customer reviews

Encouraging customer reviews is an important aspect of local SEO in Edmonton. Customer reviews can help improve the visibility and reputation of your business, and Google takes them into account when ranking websites for local search queries.

There are a variety of ways you can convince customers to write reviews for your company:

1. Request reviews: Asking customers to write reviews could be a great method of gaining more reviews. Customers can be asked to leave reviews in person, by email, or via your site’s online review request form.
2. Make it easy for customers to leave a review: Provide a link to your Google My Business listing or other review platforms on your website or in your email signature. This will make it easy for customers to leave a review.
3. Respond to reviews. Both positive as well as negative reviews are valuable for your company. Make sure you respond to reviews, thank your customers for their comments, and address any concerns or issues they might face. This will help you enhance your image and show prospective customers that you appreciate their feedback.

By encouraging customers to leave reviews and responding to them, you can improve your visibility and reputation online and signal to Google that your business is reliable and trustworthy. This can help improve your ranking on search engines for local search queries.

Optimize your mobile for mobile

The majority of internet users are using the internet using mobile devices. Make sure your website is optimized for mobile devices to increase the user experience as well as your rank on Google.

Following these best techniques can boost your site’s position in local search terms in Edmonton and bring more customers to your company. However, it is crucial to remember that local SEO is a continuous process that requires constant effort to improve and maintain your rank on Google.

Wrapping it all Up

In conclusion, local SEO is a valuable tool for businesses in Edmonton looking to increase their online visibility and attract local customers. By optimizing their website for local search queries and using tactics like claiming their Google My Business listing and encouraging customer reviews, businesses in Edmonton can improve their ranking on search engines and drive more traffic to their website.

Looking to boost your local presence? Snap SEO offers comprehensive SEO strategies to help grow online! Contact us today!