What Kinds of Businesses Benefit Most From Local SEO?

Is your business in retail, healthcare, services, restaurants, or real estate? If so, a Chicago local SEO agency is your best ally in digital marketing.

This article tells you why by listing:

• The top five industries that benefit the most from local optimization
• Evidence for why tapping the local market matters

If you want to learn more about this topic, read below:

Watch this video to learn about the Digital Authority Partners approach to local SEO in Chicago!

These 5 Businesses Need Local SEO Stat

To be clear, most companies can benefit from local SEO. After all, it helps you increase brand visibility, target specific areas and demographic groups, and even find qualified leads.

However, some industries might need local SEO more than others because of where they operate, what they offer, and their current marketing strategies. These include the following:

     1. Retail Stores

These companies sell tangible goods ranging from big-box brands such as Walmart to mom-and-pop shops started by your neighbor. These places should be more visible in the search engine results pages (SERPs) because:

• Many people prefer to shop locally. Amazon is surely making lives easier and more convenient for many Americans. However, some studies suggest that many prefer to support their local businesses. In recent years, for instance, about half of holiday shoppers join Small Business Saturday rather than Black Friday.
• Most shoppers do not like to travel far. The vast majority avoid driving for over 20 minutes for everyday purchases. The time becomes shorter the more frequently they need to buy something. For instance, many are not willing to travel for more than 6 minutes for fuel.
• A growing number buy online and pick up in-store (BOPIS). According to recent research, people often prefer to make purchases online and then pick them up in-store.

     2. Healthcare Services

Whether you are a doctor with a clinic or an urgent care hospital, now is the best time for medical-oriented businesses to invest in local healthcare SEO. Here is why:

• People are taking their health into their own hands. Research indicates that more people research health information online (thanks, Dr. Google). A Chicago local SEO agency helps you craft articles that meet three goals: attract the right leads, show your expertise, and keep your market from harm through accurate, updated information.
• The industry is becoming more competitive. Urgent care clinics, for example, are growing by 7% annually. Many will take advantage of online marketing. Unless you do the same, you are likely to fall behind.
• Patients are judging healthcare providers. Studies reveal that most patients research online before booking an appointment — in fact, over 70% read (and trust) online reviews. Local optimization helps you manage your reputation.

     3. Professional Services

This group refers to the ever-trusted handyman, plumber, and electrician. It includes your tax preparer, accountant, lawyer, and other professionals. If you are in this niche, local SEO is vital, even if you are self-employed, for these reasons:

• You are subject to regulations that affect your job or industry. For instance, tax rules and certifications vary among states. Because of this, Americans are more likely to stick to their locality if they need to hire someone.
• Reputation is everything. Many customers prefer to be safe rather than sorry when dealing with service providers such as plumbers, electricians or other tradespeople. Your ability to prove the quality of your service and expertise matters. Local optimization helps by building credibility. Local SEO agency tips to prove your knowledge and expertise include creating articles about your team and services.
• Most of you are small players in the market. Every professional or service provider must compete with big names dominating the SERPs. But often, you lack the money to pay for ads or sponsored posts. Local optimization is an affordable alternative that can give you a fighting chance.

     4. Restaurants

The food business is never boring. According to the National Restaurant Association, the food-service industry could reach almost a trillion dollars in 2023. However, the same report also shared that the competition is about to get intense.

That and the following should convince restaurants to hire a Chicago local SEO agency:

• People research restaurants online. Some surveys found that almost 75% of customers use the web for restaurant discovery. Those who search for food, drinks, and recipes are likely to dine out more or order takeout or delivery.
• You can get a spot in the local map pack. Combining technical optimization and local SEO can land you a place in the local map pack. A section in the search results displays the top three restaurants or businesses that best match the query.
• No one likes bad reviews. With local optimization, restaurant owners can monitor customer feedback on different platforms and act upon it quickly. For instance, they can create content that addresses negative comments or improves the overall customer experience.
• More travelers want to eat locally. The 2023 Hilton Trends Report said that almost 50% of survey participants liked a more immersive and authentic cultural experience. It includes trying their delicacies or cuisines.

     5. Real Estate

Are you in the real estate industry? Then you need this local SEO checklist because:

• Your leads are checking out properties online. Most use the Internet in their home-buying process. If people cannot find you or your agency online, you are as good as nonexistent to them.
• People are always actively looking for properties. Studies suggest that, on average, Americans move at least 11 times in their lifetime. You can imagine how often they go to Google or Bing to hunt for houses or apartments.
• The number of agents and brokers is increasing. The National Association of Realtors alone has around 3 million active licensees: Even if 5% of them use local SEO, that still equals 150,000 potential competitors.

Summing Up

Appearing in the local search is no longer optional. It is a must-have component of your digital marketing strategy, especially if you belong to one of these five industries. Your potential customers turn to the online world for answers; if you are not there, you risk getting left behind in the competition.

You must also do everything possible to do your local SEO right if you do not want to waste time and opportunity. Digital Authority Partners (DAP) is a fast-growing local SEO agency in Chicago that offers comprehensive services for small, medium-sized, and large businesses. We customize your strategies to fit your market and objectives. Contact us now and see how we can help you stand out in the SERPs.