The world of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is constantly evolving, and keeping up with the latest news is crucial for businesses who want to stay ahead. This is especially important for new physical locations, as they need to establish a strong online presence to attract local customers.

In this article, we will discuss some of the top local SEO news and updates that can benefit creating Google business profiles specifically when opening new locations.

How Do You Set Up the Groundwork for Local SEO?

Before we dive into the latest news and updates, let’s first understand the basics of setting up local SEO for new physical locations. Here are some essential steps that every business should follow:

• Claim your Google My Business (GMB) listing
• Optimize your website with local keywords and content
• Build citations on relevant directories
• Encourage customer reviews

By following these steps, businesses can lay the groundwork for a strong local SEO strategy.

How Do You Set Up An Opening Date For a Google Business Profile?

A recent update from Google has made it easier for new physical locations to set an opening date for their GMB listing. This feature allows businesses to specify when they plan on opening their doors, which can help with local SEO efforts. By setting an opening date, businesses can improve their visibility and ranking on Google as the search engine will prioritize showing newly opened locations in search results.

How Do You Optimize Your GBP Profile?

You can optimize your GBP profile by doing the following:

• Creating a post calendar that can be used to announce events or promotions leading up to the ground opening date.
• Adding all the necessary and relevant information.
• Uploading a photo.

To create a post calendar, all you have to do is have the month and year when the business is scheduled to open. Once all of the data has been entered and your GBP has been verified, the profile will start appearing on Google 90 days before the actual scheduled date, along with a message to inform the users that the business will be opening soon.

What Is the Importance of Websites and Landing Pages?

A website is crucial for businesses of all sizes, but it’s especially important for new physical locations. A well-designed and optimized website can attract and convert potential customers who are looking for local services or products. It also provides a platform to showcase the business’s products or services, customer reviews, and contact information. Additionally, creating landing pages with specific local keywords can help improve the website’s visibility in search results.

What Valuable Information Should a Website Have About the GBP?

When creating a website for a new physical location, it’s important to include the following information:

• Address and contact information
• Business hours
• Products or services offered
• Customer reviews and testimonials
• Photos of the location, products, or services

Having this information readily available on the website can help potential customers find and learn more about the GBP, which can ultimately lead to increased foot traffic and sales.

The website should have valuable information such as where it’s located and the services and products that will be offered. When a business isn’t opened yet, it’s vital to include messaging that states when it’s opening or even a “Coming Soon” message. Make sure this is displayed in a prompt manner above the fold to avoid any confusion. There are several other areas to display the “Opening Soon” or “Coming Soon” message such as the following:

• Meta descriptions
• On-page content
• Title tags

What are the Benefits of Launching the Website Before Opening?

One of the key benefits of launching a website before opening a new physical location is that it allows businesses to start building their online presence and credibility. By having a website, businesses can also generate buzz and anticipation for their grand opening through social media or email marketing. Additionally, launching the website early gives businesses time to iron out any technical issues or errors before they officially open their doors to customers.

Once the business is opened and you have gone through the entire QA process to ensure all of the information is correct, it’s time to develop new ways to highlight the business and add content such as adding parking details and photos on the page. In addition, as you continue to build out your content strategy, it would be beneficial to add more unique information such as the following:

• Event information
• Team bios
• FAQ’s

This is all to avoid duplicate content against any other locations on the website.

What is the Importance of Building Backlinks for a Website?

Building backlinks, also known as inbound links, is an essential part of local SEO for new physical locations. Backlinks are links from other websites that lead to your website, and they signal to search engines that your website is a credible source of information. The more quality backlinks a website has, the higher it will rank in search results. Businesses can build backlinks by reaching out to local directories, partnering with other local businesses, and creating shareable content that will attract backlinks from other websites.

How to Develop a Comprehensive Grand Opening Marketing Strategy?

Developing a comprehensive grand opening marketing strategy can help new physical locations make a big splash and attract customers from the very beginning. Here are some steps to consider when creating a marketing plan for a GBP:

• Know your target audience and their preferences
• Create engaging and visually appealing content
• Utilize social media platforms to promote the opening
• Partner with other local businesses for cross-promotion
• Offer special promotions or discounts to attract customers

By following these steps and staying consistent with marketing efforts, a new physical location can successfully launch its business and establish a strong online presence. This will ultimately contribute to the success of their local SEO strategy as well.

How to Get in Front of Your Audience with Paid Search?

Paid search, also known as pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, is a great way to get in front of your target audience and attract potential customers. With PPC advertising, businesses can bid on keywords related to their products or services, and their ad will appear at the top of search results when someone searches for those keywords. This allows businesses to specifically target their desired audience and only pay when someone clicks on their ad. By utilizing paid search, businesses can drive more traffic to their website and potentially increase conversions and sales. It’s important to continuously monitor and adjust PPC campaigns to ensure they are effective for the business’s goals and budget.

The Importance of Sharing Updates and Building Followers Through Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool for businesses, especially new physical locations. It allows businesses to connect with their target audience, share updates and promotions, and build a loyal following. By consistently posting engaging content on social media, businesses can increase brand awareness and attract potential customers to their website or physical location. Additionally, having a strong social media presence can positively impact local SEO by increasing brand visibility and engagement. It’s important to choose the right social media platforms for the business and regularly post relevant content that resonates with the target audience. Building a strong following on social media takes time and effort, but it can greatly benefit a new physical location in the long run.

Build Customer Lists Through Email Marketing

Email marketing is another crucial aspect of a comprehensive marketing strategy for new physical locations. By collecting email addresses from customers, businesses can send targeted and personalized emails to promote their products or services, share updates and promotions, and build customer loyalty. Email marketing also allows businesses to stay connected with their customers and gather feedback to continuously improve their offerings. It’s important to regularly send out emails and track their effectiveness to ensure the email marketing strategy is successful. 

How to Spread the Word About Your New Business Through PR?

A well-planned PR strategy can also be effective in spreading the word about a new physical location. Press releases, media coverage, and partnerships with influencers or local bloggers can all help generate buzz and attract potential customers. Additionally, businesses can host events or participate in community activities to increase visibility and establish a positive reputation within the local community. A strong PR strategy can also positively impact local SEO by increasing brand awareness and generating backlinks from reputable sources. It’s important to have a clear message and unique angle when reaching out to media outlets and influencers, as well as continuously tracking the success of PR efforts.

The Digital Intellect Provides SEO Services

In today’s digital age, staying up-to-date with local SEO news is crucial for businesses looking to succeed in their local markets. As search engines continuously update their algorithms and user behavior changes, businesses need to stay informed and adapt their strategies accordingly. By following industry experts, reading relevant articles and news updates, and staying engaged with the local SEO community, businesses can stay ahead of the curve and optimize their local SEO efforts for maximum success. The Digital Intellect is committed to providing valuable insights and information on local SEO news to support businesses in their online presence and growth.  So, make sure to stay updated with us for all the latest developments and trends in the world of local SEO!

Whether it’s through building backlinks,  utilizing paid search, social media, email marketing, or PR strategies, new physical locations can greatly benefit from a comprehensive and well-executed marketing plan. By targeting the right audience and consistently promoting their business online, they can establish a strong local presence and increase their chances of success in their respective markets. Keeping up with local SEO news and continuously adapting strategies will also contribute to the long-term success of their business. So, don’t miss out on any opportunities to optimize your local SEO and promote your new physical location!  Happy marketing!