How Local Shopify SEO Can Help Drive Foot Traffic to Your Store

By Marqade

December 03, 2024

How Local Shopify SEO Can Help Drive Foot Traffic to Your Store

In today's competitive retail landscape, both online and physical storefronts must operate together to make an omnichannel shopping experience. While much priority is put on eCommerce websites, local SEO has occurred as a paramount strategy for conducting foot traffic to your physical store. This type of search engine optimization precisely helps your business show up in local search results when likely customers are searching for products or services near them. For Shopify store owners, optimizing your site for local search can dramatically boost both online visibility and foot traffic. In this article, we'll explore the ins and outs of local Shopify SEO services and how it can expand your business.

What is local SEO, and why does it matter?

Local SEO is simply how to make your business visible online, so when people in your area are searching for something, you pop up. Think of it like digital word-of-mouth. It really makes it much easier for customers nearby when your store shows up in search results for your local area.

You may be thinking, "Why do we need local SEO if our business already operates a Shopify store?" The answer lies in the growing trend of blending physical stores and online shopping, called real and virtual retail. Shoppers are not just skimming on their phones—they're also looking to visit physical shops nearby. So, if you're not optimizing for local search, you're missing out on an opportunity to restore those nearby online searchers into foot traffic in your brick-and-mortal store.

Local SEO is more than just getting people to visit your website - it's about turning those visitors into actual customers who step into your store. With more people using smartphones for local searches, your business must be visible when someone nearby looks for what you sell.

How Local SEO Drives Foot Traffic?

By optimizing your local SEO strategy, you can see a direct correlation in the number of visitors to your physical store. Here's how it works:

Increases Website Traffic and Reach

Local SEO ensures your business shows up in relevant local searches, meaning more eyes on your website. As you enhance your website's SEO for local keywords, you increase brand visibility, which naturally leads to more people browsing your products and learning about your business. The more people that see your site, the more likely they are to pay a visit to your physical store.

Improves Brand Reputation

Local SEO can be actually beneficial in impressing the brand reputation to the customers because you appear in trusted search results. Whenever clients come across your shop online for the first time, they get an idea about who you are, what you have on offer, and why you are unique. Hence, it impresses the essential faith and credibility to alter the browsers into customers in the real store.

Targeting Local Customers

When you optimize for local SEO, you're making it easier for nearby buyers to locate your physical location. Whether it's through "near me" searches or location-specific questionings, local SEO makes sure your mart emerges when likely customers are looking for businesses in their location.

Higher Conversion Rates

One of the best things about local Shopify SEO services is that it instantly addresses the pursuit of nearby shoppers. Local customers are more likely to make a buy in-store, specifically if they're already searching for a product and discover your store's website in their search results. With exact information such as store hours, location, and contact info, shoppers are more likely to take that next step and visit your store.

Gaining a Competitive Edge

Numerous small businesses neglect local SEO, which presents an incredible opportunity for you to stand out. By optimizing your Shopify store for local search, you can get ahead of your opponents who aren't leveraging this tool, helping you seize more of the local market and raise foot traffic.

Key Elements of Local SEO for Shopify

Well, in local SEO, there are three major components that will get you ranked and drive more customers into your physical store: relevance, prominence, and proximity.

Relevance

Relevance in local SEO means that your content is relevant to what the local customer is looking for. The key to relevance is keyword optimization. If you sell kitchen accessories in Brooklyn, New York, your website should feature keywords like "kitchen accessories Brooklyn" or "home decor Brooklyn."

Here's how to make your content more relevant:

Use local keywords throughout your website.

Create content that speaks directly to the local community's needs or interests.

Optimize your product descriptions and business listings.

Prominence

Google wants to suggest businesses that people trust and know well. Think of prominence like your business's reputation online - how well-known and trustworthy you are. You can boost your online presence by:

Motivating clients to share feedback on Google, Yelp, and Facebook.

Building backlinks from local news outlets or industry blogs.

Maintaining an active social media presence and sharing content that highlights your store's reputation.

Proximity

Proximity is key for local shopify SEO services. Google prefers results close to the user. For instance, a store in Brooklyn should appear for nearby searches for its products or services. Adding your business's location to your website, Google My Business profile, and local directories is vital to make this happen.

8 Tips for Optimizing Local SEO on Your Shopify Store

If you're glad to dive into local SEO, here are eight tips that will assist you in optimizing your Shopify store:

Set Up Google My Business

Google My Business (GMB) is a powerful means for local SEO. It allows you to document your business, equip important details like your address, phone number, and hours, and appear on Google Search and Maps. Make sure your GMB profile is complete, correct, and regularly updated.

Use Local Keywords

Use specific keywords for your location within the content on your site, including your product descriptions, blog posts, titles, and meta descriptions. Think creatively about how the local consumer might search for products like yours online.

Encourage Customer Reviews

Praising reviews can encourage your online prominence and move you up in local search results. Reach out to pleased customers and ask them to leave some feedback on your Google listing and other local directories.

Create Local Content

Writing about local news, events, and industry topics on your blog can improve your local search engine optimization. Employing region-based keywords in your content makes it more relatable to your local audience.

Add Your NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number)

Make sure your NAP is featured on every page of your website and all your online profiles, such as Google My Business and Facebook. Consistent information cements trust with search engines and users.

Optimize for Mobile

Since most local searches ensue on mobile devices, it's paramount to ensure your Shopify store is mobile-friendly. A responsive website will not only raise your customer experience but also strengthen your SEO ranking.

Create Location-Specific Landing Pages

If you have multiple physical locations or serve various areas, create dedicated landing pages for each location. These pages should feature unique content and local keywords to drive more targeted traffic.

Build Local Backlinks

Backlinks from reputable local sources can significantly improve your local SEO ranking. Reach out to local blogs, newspapers, and business directories to get mentions and links to your website.

Marqade: A Shopify SEO Expert for Local Businesses

If you're looking for an expert team to help execute a complete local SEO strategy for your Shopify shop, look no further than Marqade.

Marqade is a leading SEO company specializing in supporting businesses like yours to entice more local customers and foster foot traffic to your store. Our tailored local Shopify SEO services are devised to help you rank higher in search results for your specific geographic place, which yet fetches more individuals into your physical shop.

What sets us apart is our evidence-based approach and mastery of Shopify SEO. We are familiar with the workings of the Shopify platform and know how to fine-tune your store for the highest visibility in local searches. With Marqade, you'll get access to:

Customized SEO Strategies tailored to your unique business objectives.
24/7 support from a reliable team of SEO connoisseurs, ensuring your online presence is always optimized.
Proven results that forge quality leads and expand conversion rates.
Affordable pricing for businesses of all sizes ensures that SEO services are obtainable without breaking the bank.

Whether you run a clothing brand, jewelry store, or grocery shop, Marqade (we!) can help you attract more local customers, drive foot traffic, and grow your brand.

Conclusion

Local SEO can be a fantastic opportunity for Shopify store owners looking to attract more customers to their physical locations. When you optimize your website and online presence for local searches, you help nearby shoppers find your business more easily. Whether you're new to the game or seeking to enhance your current SEO efforts, adopting local SEO best practices can really make a difference. It will allow you to shine in your community, boost your brand recognition, and bring more visitors to your store.

If you're ready to boost your local Shopify SEO services, partner with us (Marqade). We can help your Shopify store rank high in local search results and attract customers to grow your business.