When a potential customer types "plumber Thann" or "restaurant Husseren-Wesserling" on Google, does your business show up? If the answer is no, you're losing customers every day.
Google Business Profile: the foundation
The first thing to do is create and optimize your Google Business profile (formerly Google My Business). It's free, and it's what gets you showing up on Google Maps and in local results.
Local keywords
Your website should naturally contain the terms your customers use to find you:
- Your trade + your town
- Your trade + your region (Alsace, Thur Valley)
- Terms your customers actually use (not technical jargon)
NAP consistency
NAP = Name, Address, Phone. This information must be identical everywhere: on your website, on Google Business, on directories, on your social media. Google checks for consistency.
Customer reviews
Google reviews are a major ranking factor in local SEO. Systematically ask your satisfied customers to leave a review. Reply to all reviews, both positive and negative.
A fast, mobile-friendly website
Over 60% of local searches are done on mobile. If your website is slow or poorly adapted to smartphones, Google penalizes you. It's as simple as that.
Local SEO isn't magic. It's common sense, discipline, and a bit of technical know-how. And the results are often quick to see.