Rank High on Local SEO in Vancouver: 5 Tips to Get You Started

Local SEO matters.

When we optimize businesses for Google, the goal is to become a top organic result on Google search engines or maps.

With recent updates, Google now puts a lot of emphasis on business location. When someone searches with local intent, Google prioritizes websites in the immediate area by assessing the business’ relevance, distance from the searcher and prominence (how well-known a business is).

For example, a searcher in the Burnaby area who types “laser hair removal” into Google will be shown the most relevant medical and beauty space in the local area, not a broad global search result for hair removal aestheticians.

Basically, local search algorithms follow a slightly different playbook compared to broader SEO. Local businesses typically aren’t in competition on a national or global scale. You are only concerned about the neighbourhood businesses competing in your niche.

Being competitive on local SEO success sets you up in a spot ripe for the taking, but you must be prepared to follow Google’s best practices. Here’s how to get started.

1. Select the Right Keywords

Write down the general words and phrases relevant to your business, including your solutions, products or services. These are your seed keywords. Then, make it local by adding the business location and nearby cities/suburbs,

For example, a dentist’s office in Vancouver may include “teeth cleaning Vancouver” or “family dentistry in Vancouver.” Check and build your list by plugging these keywords into Google search. What search phrase is recommended when typing your keyword and location? The results indicate the most common search questions or phrases—what audiences are searching for.

2. Tailor Website Content

Understanding the intent of the searcher term can help determine how a keyword should be used. For example, “How much should I pay for teeth whitening?” is informational and a great blog topic. However, a search like “dentists who accept CDAP” is more intent-driven and should be linked to a page about how people can use the program in your office.

All website pages should include location keywords, which combine your search topic and location. This is what tells Google your website is relevant for local rankings for the people looking for your goods and services.

3. Optimize Your Google Business Profile

All businesses should use free tools, especially those hoping to optimize for local SEO in Vancouver.

Statistics are impressive–87% of consumers use Google to evaluate local businesses. If you haven’t considered the opportunities to increase brand visibility across search and maps and create a Google Business Profile, your business is losing out.

The more information you provide in your listing, the more likely your website will place well on local search engine results. Your business listing is a part of your digital footprint and should be updated regularly—just like your website.

4. Local Link Building

To rise for local searches, you must build quality links from local websites—and this is why paying someone overseas for SEO services often doesn’t yield results. A local link-building strategy, called a backlink strategy, works to to boost awareness, increase local website traffic, and improve website visibility.

Create links that align your business with trusted local sources that include:

• Local business directories
• Neighbourhood blogs or forums
• City media publications
• Local event or community sponsorship.

Every quality local link attributed to your website (hyperlinked text) increases your opportunities to engage and build confidence with new audiences.

5. Augment SEO With Targeted Ads

While local (and broad) SEO is an organic, long-term strategy founded on building trust, Google Search ads are a paid strategy. Ads allow you to reach more people at scale, often at a rate unmatched by SEO alone.

Another reason ads need to be considered, especially by new businesses, is that SEO is a long-term strategy. Websites can only be optimized for a given number of words—Ads let you fill in the gaps. For example, we target SEO Vancouver organically—however, we use AdWords to achieve terms for SEO Burnaby, SEO Richmond, etc.

Google Search ads are a shortcut for reaching audiences for valuable keywords faster. It also provides useful insights on what words to target organically. When investing the time and resources to build an organic local SEO strategy, you want to make sure your work will pay off.

As a local team offering local SEO in Vancouver, we optimize with time-tested strategies for consistent growth.