If you’re a brick-and-mortar retail business, you’re probably wondering if a blog on your website can bring more customers through your doors. The answer depends. In this article, we’ll discuss how SEO blog posts fit into your larger digital marketing strategy for your small retail business. We’ll also discuss how a strong framework of SEO practices across the board can help small businesses like yours outrank the big chains.

Do Local Retailers Need to Rank on Google

Implementing a local SEO strategy isn’t difficult. But it does take time. And since we’ve never heard of a small business owner with free time on their hands, let’s look at some statistics to inspire you to prioritize local SEO as part of your digital marketing strategy.

  • A strong online presence makes 45% of consumers more likely to visit a business’s physical location, according to B2B business directory Clutch. 
  • Nearly everyone searches for local businesses online. Only 2% of users don’t, according to Statista.
  • Overall, local searches are up, with a 200% increase in “near me” queries.
  • The vast majority of retail shopping is done in stores, with only 18.9% of retail sales happening online.

Are you fired up to master local SEO and outrank the big chains? In the next section, we’ll share practical tips to get you there. 

How Local Businesses Can Rank on Google

Local businesses, including retailers, can rank on Google by consistently practicing a straightforward local SEO strategy. The main thing to know is that local SEO targets two different types of results: Google’s Map Pack and search engine results pages (SERPS). Let’s talk about Google’s Map Pack first. 

 

rank on google

 

Google’s Map Pack is the results that appear at the top, listing businesses on the left and their locations on a map to the right. The top ranking factors for Google’s Map Pack, according to BrightLocal, are:

  • Google Business Profile (32%)
  • On-page (19%)
  • Reviews (16%)

The SERPS are the organic search engine results you probably think of when wondering how retailers can use SEO blogs to outrank the big chains. The factors that will get you to the top of SERPS are a little different than those for Google’s Map Pack.

  • On-page (36%)
  • Links (26%)
  • Behavioral (9%)

As you can see, on-page optimization is a leading factor that influences where you land on both Google’s Map Pack and SERPS. That’s where SEO blogs come in. 

Do Small Businesses Need a Blog to Rank on Google?

Incorporating local keywords into your content is essential for outranking the big guys. But your blog’s value for leveling up your digital marketing strategy goes beyond SEO. Consider the following ways a blog will help your business.

Still not convinced? Consider these blogging stats.

  • Over a third of marketers (36%) say that blogs are their top marketing channel. (Demandsage)
  • Blogs help B2C companies receive 88% more leads each month. (Demandsage)
  • Web pages in the top ranking position have almost four times as many backlinks as lower-ranking pages. (Blogging Wizard)

How Local Retailers Can Use Blogs to Outrank the Big Chains

If you’re a local retailer that wants to outrank the big corporations, blogging is your solution. And targeting local keywords in your content will help your rank in local search results.

Create a variety of local keywords to sprinkle throughout your content. Brainstorm variations your target audience will use. For example, a shoe store in Detroit may use the following keywords.

  • Women’s (or kids’, men’s) shoes in Detroit
  • [insert brand] shoes in Detroit
  • Best shoe store in greater Detroit
  • Shoe store downtown Detroit
  • Running shoes Detroit
  • Work boots Detroit
  • Affordable shoes in [insert Detroit neighborhood or suburb]

You get the idea. 

To climb to the top of the search engines, you need to do more than optimize your website and business profile. A blog is an opportunity to add fresh content and localized keywords to your website. 

Get the Most Out of Your Business Blog 

Getting customers through your door is an ongoing challenge for small retailers. Blogging can be your best digital marketing friend, helping you capture local users searching for your products. But your blog has to be part of a larger SEO digital marketing strategy. You need a fully fleshed-out Google Business Profile, a plan for gathering positive reviews, and more. 

You’re a busy business owner. Get content marketing and SEO help from a pro. Dez can help you create a digital marketing plan that includes SEO and content marketing. Reach out today, and Just Let Dez Write It.