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Essential Steps to Establish a Local Business: From Website Design to Advanced SEO

Donald Fidler • 4 June 2024

Starting a new local business is an exciting journey, and we're here to guide you every step of the way. After your initial free consultation, it's time to dive into the essential steps that will establish your business in the local market.


We Follow these steps to create a solid foundation for your business and ensure long-term success.

Small Business Marketing Stratford Upon Avon

Step 1: Website Design and Build


Your website is the cornerstone of your online presence. Here’s what you need to consider for a high-performing, SEO-friendly site:


  1. Engaging Brand: Create a visually appealing and user-friendly design that reflects your brand’s identity.
  2. Schema Markup: Implement schema markup to help search engines understand your content better.
  3. Sitemap: Ensure your website has a clear sitemap to enhance navigation and indexing.
  4. Local Business Schema: Use local business schema to improve your visibility in local searches.
  5. Landing Pages: Develop dedicated landing pages for each local service and search term.
  6. Alt Tags and Meta Information: Optimise images with alt tags and write compelling meta titles and descriptions.
  7. NAP Consistency: Ensure your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) are consistent across all web pages.
  8. FAQ Schema: Implement FAQ schema to answer common customer questions directly in search results.


If you are interested in our Shout Web & Local SEO Amplifier Package please click HERE


Google Business profile

Step 2: Google Business Profile Setup and Optimisation


Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is crucial for local search visibility. Here's how to optimise it:


  1. Complete Your Profile: Fill out every section of your GBP, including business name, address, phone number, website, and business hours.
  2. Services and Images: List all your services and upload high-quality images of your business.
  3. Weekly Posts: Post updates weekly to engage with your audience and improve your profile's activity.
  4. NAP Consistency: Ensure your GBP information matches your website and other local listings.


If you are interested in our Google My Business Elevate Subscription, please click HERE


Social Media management

Step 3: Social Media Setup and Engagement


Social media is a powerful tool to connect with your audience. Here’s how to make the most of it:


  1. Platform Selection: Choose the right social media platforms for your business (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn).
  2. Engaging Content: Post relevant and engaging content about your services regularly.
  3. Consistency: Maintain a consistent posting schedule to keep your audience engaged.
  4. Interaction: Respond to comments and messages promptly to build a community around your brand.


If you are interested in our Shout Social | Elevate Your Online Presence package, please click HERE

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Local Directory Listings

Step 4: Local Listings and Citations


Getting listed on local directories can significantly boost your online visibility. Follow these steps:


  1. Aggregator Listings: List your business on major aggregators like Foursquare and the GPS Network.
  2. Manual Submissions: Manually submit your business information to 25-50 directory citations.
  3. NAP Quality: Ensure all listings have accurate and consistent NAP information.
  4. Domain Authority: These citations help build your domain authority and improve local search rankings.


If you are interested in our Shout Local Essential 25-Pack, please click HERE

or the Shout Local Premier 50-Pack, Click HERE

Brand reputation reviews

Step 5: Brand Reputation Management


A strong online reputation is essential for gaining trust. Here’s how to manage it:


  1. Gather Reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on Google, Facebook, and other platforms.
  2. Respond to Reviews: Reply to all reviews, both positive and negative, to show that you value customer feedback.
  3. Monitor Mentions: Keep an eye on brand mentions across the web to manage your reputation proactively.
  4. Trusted Platforms: Utilise platforms like Trustpilot to gather and showcase reviews.


If you are interested in our Local SEO reporting Tools with optional Brand Reputation Click HERE


Step 6: Blogging for Authority


Blogging is a great way to establish yourself as an expert in your field. Here’s how to do it:


  1. Keyword Research: Identify relevant keywords to target in your blog posts.
  2. Regular Posts: Write and publish blog posts regularly to keep your content fresh.
  3. Expertise: Focus on topics that demonstrate your expertise and provide value to your audience.
  4. SEO Optimisation: Optimise your blog posts for SEO to improve search engine rankings and attract more visitors.


If you are interested in our regular Professional Blog Writing Service - £75.00 per Blog, Click HERE


Local PPC advertising

Step 7: Advanced SEO and PPC


Once your business is established, it's time to take it to the next level with advanced SEO and PPC strategies:


  1. Technical SEO: Conduct a technical SEO audit to identify and fix issues that could affect your website’s performance.
  2. Link Building: Develop a link-building strategy to acquire high-quality backlinks.
  3. PPC Campaigns: Launch targeted PPC campaigns to drive more traffic to your site.
  4. Analytics: Monitor and analyze your SEO and PPC performance to make data-driven decisions.


If you are interested in our advanced SEO & PPC services, take a look HERE


Advanced SEO ranking

By following these steps, you can establish a strong online presence for your local business, attract more customers, and build a trusted brand.


If you need any assistance along the way, we're here to help! Let’s get started on this exciting journey together. Contact Us

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