Are you a Minneapolis business, looking for information to boost your SEO? There are two goals when considering SEO for Minneapolis businesses. The first is performing all the strategies that would help any web page rank high on search engine results. The second is to have a strategy that will ensure that most visitor traffic comes from either local users or those specifically looking for a Minneapolis business.
Search engine optimization for Minneapolis businesses is an inbound marketing strategy for companies that sell to local customers. If your business website is not showing up in local searches, you’re missing out. However, it is not enough to just show up in the local business and map results when a user is doing an “in Minneapolis” or “near me” search. Your company also needs to show up in results when the intent of the searcher is to discover locally relevant and reliable information. Don’t you agree?
Basic SEO for Minneapolis Businesses
This article is jumping over general SEO best practices that all websites should adhere, and it is moving directly to the additional methods necessary for optimizing a business’s Minneapolis search presence. These technical tactics, outlined below, are the tried and true SEO best practices that are the basis for any local business.
1. Capture Your Company’s “Google My Business” Page – Your “Google My Business” is one of the most important off-page SEO elements. These are the listings that appear at the top of search pages, with a map. These results are given to those companies that Google believes are the most relevant, and are based in part on the distance from the searcher, business categories, online reviews and more. It is important that your “Google My Business” page is 100 percent complete, with information that matches your website. Ensure that your business categories describe your business, correctly link your business website, and maintain an active presence and respond to reviewers.
2. List Yourself on Local Directories and Social Media – It is extremely important that your Minneapolis business has a presence on major directory websites and social media platforms. These will include Facebook, Yelp, YellowPages.com, Foursquare, and more. There is a good chance your business is already published and all you need to do is capture the listing as the owner. This is because these websites use services that collect and trade information. When you capture these listings, it ensures accuracy, but also allows you to manage the listing and engage with users. Moreover, Google and other search engines use the signals from these sites to appraise a business’ credibility and rankability.
3. Include Your NAP Information In Web Design – The three most important letters for optimizing a website for Minneapolis businesses are N, A, and P. These letters stand for name, address, and phone. It is critical that Google, Bing, and other search engines can pick out this information from your website and that it matches your “Google My Business”, your listings within online directories, and your social media profiles. Consistency is necessary for ranking on search results pages. Ultimately, NAP helps protect information accuracy on other listing sites.
Content Writing Tips for Minneapolis Businesses
Localized content is content specifically written for users in or near Minneapolis, and has become extremely important for targeting your audience within search results. Google, Bing, and other search engines are making localized content a big part of their algorithm. In the past, a business could write a blog article on a generic topic and simply add the keyword “Minneapolis”. This is how you may have discovered articles like “How to Find the Best Realtor in Minneapolis” or “How to Fix a Leaking Pipe in Minneapolis.” The problem with these articles is that there was nothing uniquely local about them.
Google’s business model relies on satisfying search users. Therefore, their algorithms now work to discover content that is authentically relevant to local users. Machine learning has made it possible to almost read what is written and evaluate the signals from online directories, social media, other local websites, and more. Therefore, if you want your content to show up in the results of Minneapolis users, you must create content that is locally relevant and reliable, plus linkable and shareable.
1. Use Local Keywords – While Minneapolis is an important local keyword, there are likely many others. For instance, local point of interest can also help attract local users, such as Saint Anthony Falls, Guthrie Theater, Nicollet Mall, and Stone Arch Bridge. Don’t forget to add local landmarks, roadways, events, and more.
2. Know Your Customers – Writing content for a thirty-something mom is very different that a twenty-something. Knowing the wants and needs of your ideal customers will help you craft content that will meet their demands. As an example, consider Redbull which produces a lot of content about extreme sports for their customers and target.
3. Publish Locally Relevant Content – This is where many businesses start to have a problem. They don’t believe that their products or services can produce locally specific content. Of course, many products and services are the same in Minneapolis as they are in New York or Chicago. However, if you simply jam local keywords in a post about almost anything, from plumbing to bankruptcy, you may come across as a bit spammy to your visitors. Instead, consider becoming a locally-oriented blog that is a useful and interesting resource.
- Local News – The practice of newsjacking allows you to write about local news happenings, adding your own opinions and perspective.
- Local Events – Minneapolis has many great events that you can blog about, including the Twin Cities Marathon and the Minnesota Fringe Festival.
- Charities and Causes – Many businesses support local charities and causes. Social responsibility is a powerful blog topic. If you need a charity, consider the Twin Cities Pet Rescue.
- Review Other Businesses – Writing reviews of non-competing businesses that you support can attract visitors seeking your insights. Additionally, the business could reciprocate.
- Top 10 Lists – These list blog posts are very popular with readers and highly shareable. Write about your Top 10 burger places, nightlife hot spots, or local celebrities.
What haven’t we covered yet that is important to you? If you would like to talk about the best practices to boost SEO for Minneapolis businesses, or a related topic, please contact us.
