Nearly 70% of all online activities begin with a search engine. Meanwhile, nearly 50% of all Google searches are local. If you want to generate more local traffic this year, you need search engine optimization (SEO).

The best search engine optimization strategy can improve your online presence, helping you reach Tampa locals. Not sure how to develop a local SEO strategy? Read on for the tips you need!

With this Tampa SEO guide, you can appear in front of locals, generate traffic, and boost sales. Get started with these SEO tips today.

Know Your Audience

Google looks for content that aligns with the user’s search intent. To understand your customers, you need to know who they are first. Then, you can create online content that appeals to their interests and needs.

Define who your customers are based on demographics and psychographics. For example, you can research their:

• Age
• Gender
• Location
• Marital status
• Salary
• Education
• Career
• Hobbies
• Interests
• Pain points

Focus on the pain points your customers are currently experiencing. Consider how your product or service can offer them a solution. Appealing to their pain points can help you become a go-to resource for customers.

If you’re targeting a large audience of Tampa locals, segment your audience into smaller buyer personas. Creating buyer personas will enable you to create personalized content. Personalization can help you forge stronger connections with your target audience.

Once you’ve gathered audience research, consider your customers’ online and offline behaviors.

For example, what phrases do they type into Google during online searches? Gathering keyword research can help you plan your content creation strategy.

Use tools like SEMRush, Answer the Public, and Keyword Planner to create a list of target keywords. Focus on longer, more precise keywords that include four or more words. These long-tail keywords can help you better understand what your customers are searching for.

Claim and Optimize Your Listing

Your Google Business profile can help you take up prominent space on Google search engine result pages (SERPs). Your profile will show consumers your:

• Business name
• Category
• Address/directions
• Phone number
• Business hours
• Customer reviews
• Recent posts
• Photos/videos
• Website

Consumers can use your Google Business profile to find your location, visit your website, or call your business. With an optimized listing, you can generate more web traffic and leads. You can also generate brand awareness by taking up prominent space on SERPs.

First, claim and optimize your listing. Make sure the information matches what appears on your website. Use the same abbreviations to ensure complete accuracy.

Throughout the year, publish posts announcing special offers, events, or new products. Posts can help keep your profile fresh. Don’t forget to share new photos and videos, too!

Otherwise, start asking for customer reviews.

Request Reviews

Positive customer reviews can help boost your brand’s credibility, which could help you generate more leads. In fact, 95% of consumers read reviews before making a purchase. Over 90% read reviews of local businesses to determine quality.

Generating fresh reviews can also benefit your Tampa SEO strategy.

Develop a strategy and start asking customers to post reviews on your Google Business profile.

For example, you can ask them after you close a sale. You can also send a post-purchase text or email.

Once you start generating reviews (positive or negative) make sure to respond back! Let customers know you’re listening and eager to help. If they have complaints, offer a solution to show consumers you care about their needs.

Update Your Website

As you use these local SEO tips, it’s important not to ignore your website’s impact on your online presence and rankings. Google prioritizes websites that are mobile-optimized, fast, secure, and user-friendly.

Work with an experienced web design and development agency to update your site based on Google’s Core Web Vitals. These user-centric ranking factors can ensure you’re offering the best online experience. Visitors will linger on your website longer, boosting your dwell times and rankings.

Make sure your site is optimized for mobile users. Otherwise, the mobile, local traffic you generate could leave your site. Your bounce time will increase, causing your rankings to drop.

Create Content

Once you’ve gathered keyword research, start creating fresh content to grab your local customers’ attention.

For example, you can write blog posts about events, activities, or news relevant to Tampa. You can also create location-specific pages on your site. If you have more than one location, give each store its own page!

Then, embed a Google Map onto the page to help consumers find your business.

If you need help creating content for your Tampa SEO strategy, consider hiring an SEO agency. An experienced SEO agency can optimize your site and boost your rankings. Once you reach the top of SERPs, your online presence will increase.

With a strong local SEO strategy, you can reach more customers, generate more leads, and improve your ROI.

Generate Backlinks

There are three types of links you’ll need to consider as part of your Tampa SEO strategy.

Internals links will send your website visitors to other pages on your site. For example, you might direct them to a blog post or product page. Internal links will also help Google’s bots crawl and index your content.

External links that appear in your posts will send readers to other websites. For example, you might reference a study, local event, or other blog post. Referencing credible resources can boost your own credibility.

Backlinks appear on other websites. They send readers to your site, enabling you to generate more traffic.

Backlinks are one of Google’s top ranking factors. The more backlinks a page has, the more traffic it generates through Google.

Consider working with a Tampa SEO specialist that can help you generate quality backlinks. Otherwise, consider guest blogging. Work with other Tampa businesses to generate backlinks that send readers to your site.

Reach Locals: Develop the Best Search Engine Optimization Strategy Today

Developing the best search engine optimization strategy can set your business up for lasting growth. Use these easy local SEO tips to get started. As your rankings improve, more Tampa locals will start discovering your business online.

Remember, you don’t have to apply these local SEO tips alone. Working with a specialist can save you valuable time and stress.

Eager to get started? We can’t wait to help.

Make contact with our team today!