So, this is a small case study of my own brand, Sial Digital, an SEO and Digital Marketing Agency in Okara.
There was moderate competition; many Google Business Profiles ranked at the top of the Google Maps pack.
In this scenario, I needed to think creatively and make a local SEO strategy that could help me to not only rank but also get more calls, leads, and sales.
My Local SEO Strategy for Sial Digital:
So I started by creating a Google Business Profile for my Digital Marketing Agency in Okara. I did proper optimization of my GBP by adding the best possible matching category, adding all the digital marketing services that our agency was providing in Okara, optimizing the title for maximum visibility, setting working hours, adding a proper, in-depth, keyword-rich, meaningful description, getting some reviews by offering free services to friends, family, and Okara-based local businesses.
So, after doing all these GBP optimizations, we were ranking at the top 3 results in Google map pack, but not on the first, but this position was changing on different keywords, with different locations, so again we were getting some results, but these were not the quality of results for which we were looking.
Optimizing Sial Digital for Multiple Local SEO Keywords:
When someone was searching for “digital marketing agency near me”, “digital marketing agency okara”. Our Digital Marketing Agency, Sial Digital, was ranking in the top 3 results.
But as the keywords change like “seo agency near me”, “seo agency ”, “ppc agency”, we were nowhere at the bottom.
Ranking for Multiple Services in Google Map Pack
So, this was again challenging to rank for multiple keywords, and we optimized the Google Business Profile at very best. Now this is the turning point where things start clicking. We thought, why not create our agency website and link it to GBP?
We created our website by targeting digital marketing agencies and other possible variations of that keyword, with some other keywords like web design agencies, seo agency Okara, seo services, and local seo expert. Now, here is the point to be noted: we also added these service keywords to our Google Business Profile Services section.
So after that, we submitted our agency website to Google Search Console, and it started getting some interactions, like I was ranking on top for the digital marketing agency keyword, its position on multiple locations against that keyword became stronger.
But again, the problem was that on keywords like “seo agency near me”,” local seo agency near me”, “ppc agency near me”, our position was not strong. I added one page about local seo services on my website with good content and research targeting different variations of local seo.
Results of Sial Digital Local SEO Strategy in Okara
The result of this effort was that we were ranking at the top for this keyword, also. We also did some more optimizations and were able to rank on keywords like ppc agency.
Also, as I said earlier, the competition was weak. If there were strong competitors like in Lahore, Karachi, big cities like that, then we would invest in some aggressive local seo strategies like proper directory submissions, listing, backlinks, more local and problem-specific content.
Do I need a website for Local SEO?
Many people say that Google Business Profile is enough for Local SEO, and that is true even in most cases, and markets where there is no competition, fewer people have a Google My Business profile and are doing optimizations, but to target multiple keywords and locations, you also need a website. In short, for good results, you need both GBP SEO and Website Local SEO.
Do reviews help in Local Google Map Pack SEO Ranking?
Yes, ratings and reviews are counted in prominence, and it is a ranking factor in local seo. But here is the condition, not generic and fake reviews help you to rank in Google Map Pack, Service plus location-specific reviews help you to rank for that service and location in Google Map Pack.
For example, if you are providing local seo services to your clients in any city of Pakistan, ask them to please specify the service you took and also the location, because it becomes more specific, Google algorithm notes these keywords, and it increases the relevance against those keywords and eventually you start ranking.
Here I also want to make sure, please do real work, get real reviews from real customers, but with some guidelines.
Do Local Citations and Local Backlinks Help in Local SEO?
Yes, Local Citations and Local Backlinks help you rank high on Google local search results, because they contribute to prominence, which is a ranking factor in Local SEO. They increase trust signals. According to my observation and experience, you need basic local directory submission, if there is less competition, in the market where you are working, but yes, you have to apply aggressive strategies, if there is high competition in your market and targeted cities.
Conclusion:
If you want to rank your local business in medium competition cities in Pakistan, like Okara, then you can rank in Google Local Map with basic Google Business Profile Optimization, targeting keywords both in your GBP services and on your website home page, and make sure you link your website with Google Business Profile.
Also, you need to do some Social Signaling, like making profiles for your Business on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and add your website. That is more than enough to rank in cities with medium competition in loca seo.
In cities and markets where there is high competition, you need to invest in some aggressive local seo stratigies like making separate pages for different cities and areas, writing hyper-local content, proper local link building, mentions in local news, links from the chamber of commerce, making a review strategy, like service and location-specific reviews. So, after all this, you can outrank everyone in your competition in Pakistan.