Local SEO Statistics for 2023: What You Need to Know

The year is 2023, and, much like the turning of calendar pages or the steady rhythm of incessant clicks, the digital landscape is witnessing a seismic shift! Did you know 46% of all Google searches are for local information? And just so we’re clear, it’s not just about spontaneously wanting to check out a new café across the block on Google Maps or locating a mechanic for a car that has capriciously decided to break down. Savvy marketers understand that Local SEO has become the make-or-break factor for businesses looking to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace. It’s not unlike prospectors panning for gold in the wild west; securing the top spots on local search results in various locations is the new gold rush and can immensely contribute to your SEO stats. But don’t just take our word for it. The numbers say it all. Dive into these jaw-dropping local SEO statistics for 2023 and discover how they could exponentially improve your ROI and reshape your business strategy sooner than you might think.

As of 2023, it is more critical than ever for businesses to have a local SEO strategy firmly in place. With buzzwords and rankings like tools, marketers must navigate an ever-changing digital landscape. Some vital statistics include that 98% of consumers use the Internet to find information about local businesses, and 87% use Google to evaluate local businesses. Local and organic searches make up 69% of overall digital traffic, making it crucial for businesses to optimize their online presence for local search. These SEO stats suggest that companies that do not capitalize on high-converting traffic from local searches risk missing out on enormous customer opportunities.

The Importance of Local SEO in 2023

Local SEO has become vital to any business’s online marketing strategy. It is an effective way to get in front of potential customers who are using search engines to find goods and services nearby. With the rise of “near me” searches, local SEO has become an even sharper focus as businesses aim to capture these high-converting leads, elevating their rankings and SEO stats.

Let’s paint a picture, shall we? You own a delightful little coffee shop in downtown Seattle. You’ve got a potent blend of passionate baristas and locally-sourced beans, and your social media presence, complemented by two pictures of latte art and cozy interiors, gets good engagement. But when people search for “coffee shops near me” on Google, your business doesn’t appear in the top results. This gap translates into a missed opportunity to serve warm pastries and aromatic espresso to people close enough to stroll into your shop.

That’s where local SEO, that magical ingredient in the marketing cauldron, comes in. By optimizing your website for local search results, you can ensure that your coffee shop shows up at the top of the list when people search for relevant terms. This is especially important given how often people conduct “near me” searches on Google, adding another dimension to your digital footprint.

Of course, much like every other aspect of your business, there are some challenges associated with local SEO. Rankings can feel like a great chess game, and competition among businesses for the top spots on Google can be fierce. Additionally, with the increasing emphasis on customization, many variables go into determining which businesses show up first in search results, such as proximity to the searcher, reviews, and relevance to their query.

Then again, the challenges of local SEO can be approached not as stumbling blocks but as stepping stones toward digital dominance. Think of local SEO as planting a digital garden. Just as you need to spend time researching optimal growing conditions for different plants, you also need to put effort into finding out what factors boost your business’s chances of ranking well in local search results.

Now that we’ve established why local SEO is so significant let’s look at how Google searches with local intent play a crucial role for successful marketers.

Google Searches with Local Intent

As mentioned earlier in this post, many Google searches include local intent. This insight, when harnessed effectively, can drastically improve your overall ROI. It’s high time to dig into the nuances of local SEO and make the most of this promising trend. This means that people are grappling with the demands of a burgeoning digital world. They’re seeking businesses and services in their immediate vicinity, leveraging search phrases like “coffee shops near me” or “plumbers in Seattle.” This group predominantly comprises smartphone users, who comprise most web searchers. To guarantee SEO success and meet the searcher’s intent, one must grasp how to optimize your website for local searches. This optimization process, or what we could also call an SEO campaign, is a form of work that holds immense potential to become a reliable source of revenue for businesses.

Let’s say you’re searching for a yoga studio in your locality with your smartphone. If you type “yoga studio” into Google without specifying a location, you’ll likely get results from all over the globe. But, on specifying “yoga studio [your town name],” the outcomes will become significantly more personalized as they cater to your needs. This tailored delivery of search results is a testament to the success of a well-executed SEO campaign.

Google harnesses three primary factors to determine which businesses should surface in local search results: relevance, distance, and prominence. Relevance accounts for how accurately a business’s listing aligns with the searcher’s query. Distance is computed by how far the business is from the searcher’s current location. Lastly, prominence is gauged based on reviews, link-building effectiveness, and overall online presence.

However, it’s worth remembering that Google’s algorithms are perpetually evolving, and strategies that deliver successful results now may become obsolete in a few months or years. Hence, it’s important to consistently update your understanding of best practices for local SEO if you aim to retain or escalate your place in search results.

Optimizing for local search is tantamount to baking a cake. You necessitate having all the right ingredients—such as targeted keywords, pertinent content, and powerful link-building strategies—to conjure up something delightful or, in this case, ensure high-ranking results.

As demonstrated, local SEO plays a pivotal role in assisting businesses in wooing customers ready to transact. In the following section of this post, we will examine how mobile devices, especially smartphones used by most searchers, transform how people rummage for local businesses.

The Role of Online Reviews in Local Searches

In recent years, online reviews have become essential to local SEO. Customers place their trust in the views of other users when deciding where to purchase, have a meal, or seek medical care. Consequently, businesses must focus on refining their online reputation by prompting satisfied customers to post positive reviews and promptly addressing negative feedback.

Various researchers propose that online reviews directly influence a business’s prosperity. A study carried out by BrightLocal reveals that 76% of consumers peruse online reviews when searching for local enterprises. In contrast, a mere 24% of consumers conveyed that they don’t depend on customer reviews, whether they are positive or negative. Additionally, multiple reviews enhance click-through rates and conversions from organic search results. A lone negative review can cause an average loss of 22% of potential clients for businesses.

While some proponents might argue that not all reviews are genuine or impartial, it’s critical to acknowledge the significance of responding to both positive and negative feedback. When addressing unfavorable remarks, it’s paramount to maintain professionalism, evade antagonistic language, and accept the customer’s grievances, proposing solutions. This highlights excellent customer service practices and sends a clear message to other potential customers that your business is committed to delivering quality services. Consider the following scenario: you’re looking for a new dentist in town and come across two dental clinics with similar services and ratings among several brands. One clinic has a few negative reviews (which were courteously addressed), while the other has none. Your mind is filled with questions, which clinic would you choose? Chances are you’d opt for the one with negative feedback because it demonstrates transparency and willingness to improve.

Thus, managing online reviews should be integral to any local SEO strategy. Implementing effective SEO campaigns and focusing on search engine optimization can lead to growth in your local online presence.

Mobile devices have transformed how people conduct searches and interact with businesses. The number of people using smartphones to search for local businesses is continually increasing, with more than two-thirds of searches originating from mobile devices. With such a significant rise in mobile usage, businesses must ensure that their websites are optimized for users’ smaller screens and touch interfaces. Posting well-written articles as a guide to their services can boost search engine optimization.

• As of 2023, 99% of online consumers turn to the Internet for information about local businesses, showing a steady increase from previous years.
• Surveys show that around 80% of companies recognize the importance of local SEO, compared to only 58% in 2022, suggesting an increased awareness in the business community.
• With advancements in technology, it’s been found that “near me” mobile searches increased by another staggering 50% from last year.

Mobile Devices and Local Searches

Picture this scenario: You’re walking on a beautiful sunny day when you suddenly realize your phone needs repairing. You pull out your phone and tap on the search engine to look for “cell phone repair shops near me.” Your searches show a lot of information about several nearby shops, including maps and reviews, so you can make the best use of your time by finding the most appropriate one quickly.

Mobile users may not have as much time to browse as desktop users, meaning businesses must prioritize their website content and navigation options to be easily accessible and viewable on smaller screens. Think of it as packing a suitcase. When traveling, you want only to pack essentials that fit into limited space for hassle-free travel. Similarly, businesses should prioritize the critical information they must present clearly and efficiently for their SEO campaigns.

The importance of mobile optimization cannot be overstated. Considering that over 50% of all “near me” searches lead to in-store visits within one day shows just how valuable it is for local businesses to ensure their websites are mobile-friendly. Furthermore, locally-based queries have a higher purchase intent than other types of searches, with 78% of local searches on mobile resulting in an offline purchase.

While some argue that optimizing a website for mobile devices requires too much time or technical expertise, the reality is that most website builders now offer responsive design templates which automatically adjust the layout based on various screen sizes. Ensuring your website is optimized for mobile usage improves the user experience and accessibility on multiple devices.

To sum up, mobile optimization is essential to any local SEO strategy in 2023. Businesses must invest time and resources into creating and managing their SEO campaigns to facilitate this growth.

In recent years, the use of mobile devices has increased dramatically, and with it, the number of “near me” searches. Users are more likely to use their smartphones to search for businesses nearby instead of waiting until they get home to use a desktop computer. In 2023, we can expect even more users to rely on “near me” searches for their local business needs.

Increase in “Near Me” Searches

For instance, a friend was visiting me in Seattle and needed to find a hardware store urgently; the first thing they did was use a search engine and input “hardware stores near me.” The overwhelming response shows the importance of mobile search optimization. Unfamiliar with the layout, she was compelled to search for a “hardware store near me” on a web browser. The first result was nestled just a few blocks from my apartment, a site that may have remained unknown had this hardware store not invested in local SEO. This business information, now easily accessible, shows how crucial it is for industries to participate in such practices.

According to recent research, over half of the consumers who performed a “near me” search visited a physical store within one day, revealing important aspects of consumer behavior. Businesses needing more local SEO investment may be sidelining nearly half of their potential customers. Another survey shows that 78% of local mobile searches, with a high ctr or click-through rate, lead to offline purchases.

Reflect on how you utilize your smartphone when you travel to a place you’re unfamiliar with. Before reaching your destination, research your accommodations or exciting sites online. Once there, you may whip out your phone, executing a specific search like “coffee shop near me.” Businesses must fully exploit this behavior by optimizing their website and Google My Business page with pertinent keywords and phrases.

Considering the significance of “near me” searches, it becomes paramount for local enterprises to invest in local SEO strategies if they desire to pop up in SERPs when such location-specific inquiries occur.

Optimizing a website for local SEO presents a different challenge than optimization for general organic search. A business needs to ensure that its website, Google My Business listing, and other local directory listings host an array of details so that users can find them effortlessly when conducting location-based searches.

• The increasing use of mobile devices and ‘near me’ searches means local businesses must invest in Local SEO strategies. Over half of the consumers who perform ‘near me’ searches visit a physical store within one day, and businesses with little investment in local SEO may miss out on nearly half of their potential customers. Therefore, businesses need to optimize their website and Google My Business page with relevant keywords and phrases to appear in the SERPs when someone makes such queries.

Local SEO Strategies for Businesses

Recently, a client of mine, a small restaurant in Brooklyn, expressed their desire to bolster their online visibility and draw more customers. They had already spruced up their website with content that echoed their cuisine, values, and geographical location. However, they bypassed crucial aspects like local directories such as Yelp and TripAdvisor. Enhancing their Google My Business page and ranking them on these directories helped them generate a substantial market share.

Various industry surveys indicate that businesses optimizing for local SEO start to witness noticeable results within a few months of said implementation. Visitors to the business site increase, and potential customers send more inquiries, culminating in a significant boost in sales.

One common question I field from my clients concerns the worthiness of investing in local SEO, mainly if their product or service is top-notch. While a premium service is vital for long-term success, garnering visibility where potential customers are most likely to look is equally important, ensuring their online business information is optimized for both regular SEO and local SEO.

There exists a multitude of critical strategies that businesses can employ to enhance their local SEO ranking—these range from conducting thorough keyword research to crafting engaging content.

At the heart of Local SEO lies the goal of attracting those high-converting customers to your business. This SEO strategy could be the missing ingredient to increased business success.

Conversion Rates from Local Searches

Local SEO is all about getting those high-converting customers to your business. But how successful are local searches at driving these conversions? Studies have shown that the conversion rates from local searches can be incredibly high, making it crucial for businesses to invest in effective local SEO strategies.

For example, a study by HubSpot found that 72% of consumers who conducted a local search visited a store within five miles of their location. And of those visits, 78% resulted in a purchase. This shows how important it is for businesses to appear in local search results and optimize their listings to attract nearby customers.

Local SEO also has the potential to drive online conversions. According to another study by Google, mobile searches with local intent have a higher purchase rate than non-local searches. 18% of local searches on mobile devices led to a sale within one day, compared to just 7% of non-local searches.

Of course, some factors can affect conversion rates, such as the quality of products or services a business offers. However, the data suggests that having an effective local SEO strategy in place can make a big difference in driving conversions from nearby customers.

It’s like fishing in a well-stocked pond versus an empty one. If you need to show up in local search results, you’re fishing in an empty pond with little chance of catching fish. But with effective local SEO strategies, you can cast your line into a well-stocked pond and reel in those high-converting customers.

So now that we’ve seen how crucial local SEO can be for driving conversions, let’s look at some future trends in the world of local search.

Future Trends in Local SEO

As we head into 2023 and beyond, it’s clear that local search will only become more critical for businesses looking to attract nearby customers. Here are some trends to keep an eye on in the world of local SEO:

Personalization: With advancements in technology and data tracking, personalized search results are becoming more common. This means businesses must optimize their listings for broader searches and tailor them to specific customer needs and preferences.

Integration with Voice Search: As voice search becomes increasingly popular, businesses must ensure their listings can be found through voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. This means optimizing for natural language queries and long-tail keywords.

Increased Focus on Reviews: With online reviews playing a crucial role in local search results, businesses will need to continue building up positive reviews and responding effectively to negative ones. However, there may also be a shift towards more trustworthy review platforms as consumers grow wary of fake or biased reviews.

It’s like riding a wave – you must adapt to new trends and changes to stay ahead of the curve. Businesses that can embrace these future trends in local SEO will be better positioned to ride the wave of local search success.

So as we’ve seen, local SEO is becoming increasingly crucial for businesses looking to drive conversions from nearby customers. By focusing on effective strategies and monitoring future trends, businesses can stay ahead of the curve and continue reaping the benefits of local search success.

Shifts in Local Search Behavior and Technology

As we move further into 2023, it’s evident that there have been significant shifts in local search behavior and technology. This is due to the growing importance of local SEO and the increasing number of businesses investing in this marketing area. Understanding these shifts can help businesses stay ahead and ensure their local SEO strategies are up-to-date.

One shift in local search behavior is how users interact with search engines. Google and other platforms are becoming more personalized, tailoring results to individual preferences based on user data. This means that searches for businesses will become increasingly tailored to an individual’s location, previous searches, and other factors. As a result, businesses need to prioritize local SEO by optimizing their website content and listings for local searches.

Another shift in local search technology is the use of voice search. With voice assistants like Alexa and Siri becoming more widespread, businesses must optimize for voice search queries. Voice searches differ from traditional text searches because they often contain more natural language and conversational queries. Therefore, businesses must consider incorporating conversational keywords into their website and content to ensure they rank well for voice searches.

However, some argue that technological advances could lead to declining local business sales. For example, e-commerce websites like Amazon allow consumers to purchase online without leaving their homes. While this may seem like a threat to small business owners who rely on foot traffic, there are ways companies can utilize technology to drive in-store sales instead of losing them. For example, offering exclusive discounts or promotions only available for in-store purchases can incentivize customers to come into the store.

These shifts in local search behavior and technology are similar to the evolution of physical storefronts over time. As storefronts have adapted and improved, businesses must adapt their local SEO strategies to keep up with changing consumer behaviors and technology. By doing so, they’ll be able to reach potential customers searching for products and services.

One technology trend that will continue to impact local SEO is the increased use of Google My Business. This free tool allows businesses to manage their online presence by displaying important information such as hours of operation, address, and phone number in Google search results. Companies can also use Google Posts to share promotions or special offers directly on their business listings. As more users turn to Google for local searches, having a well-optimized Google My Business profile has become essential.

In conclusion, local search behavior and technology shifts will continue to shape how businesses approach local SEO in 2023. By staying ahead of the curve and keeping up-to-date with these shifts, companies can ensure they’re reaching potential customers where they are looking for products and services. Whether optimizing for voice search or using Google My Business, adapting strategies to fit changing technology trends can help businesses thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.

Call Brooks Internet Marketing to schedule your appointment today at (702) 249-0905.