As a deck builder, having a strong online presence is essential to attract and retain customers. One way to achieve this is through local SEO, which involves optimizing your website to rank higher in local search engine results. Local SEO helps you target customers in your area who are looking for your services, increasing your visibility and generating more leads. In this article, we’ll explore some effective ways to optimize your deck builder website for local SEO.

Claim and Optimize Your Google My Business Listing

 

As a deck builder, you want to ensure that your business is easily discoverable online by potential customers in your local area. One of the best ways to achieve this is by optimizing your website for local search engine optimization (SEO). A key component of local SEO is optimizing your Google My Business listing. In this article, we’ll explain what Google My Business is, how to claim and verify your listing, and share some tips for optimizing your listing.

Explanation of Google My Business

Google My Business is a free tool provided by Google that allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google, including search and maps. When someone searches for a deck builder in your local area, your Google My Business listing can appear in the “Local Pack” section at the top of the search results, providing valuable exposure for your business.

How to claim and verify your listing

To claim your Google My Business listing, go to the Google My Business website and click “Manage Now”. From there, you’ll need to provide information about your business, including your name, address, phone number, and website. Once you’ve completed this step, you’ll need to verify your listing, typically by receiving a postcard in the mail from Google with a verification code.

Tips for optimizing your listing

Once you’ve claimed and verified your Google My Business listing, it’s important to optimize it for local SEO. Here are some tips:

 

• Fill out your profile completely: Make sure that all of your business information is accurate and up-to-date, including your address, phone number, hours of operation, and website URL.

 

• Choose the right categories: Google My Business allows you to choose up to 10 categories that describe your business. Choose categories that accurately reflect the services you offer.

 

• Add photos and videos: Including high-quality photos and videos of your work can help to showcase your expertise and attract potential customers.

 

• Encourage customer reviews: Encourage your customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business listing. Reviews can improve your visibility and credibility in local search results.

 

• Post updates: Google My Business allows you to post updates about your business, including promotions, events, and news. Posting updates regularly can help to keep your listing fresh and engaging for potential customers.

Keyword Research and On-Page Optimization

 

One of the most crucial aspects of local SEO for deck builders is optimizing their website’s content for the keywords and phrases that their target audience is searching for. Here are some tips for conducting keyword research and on-page optimization:

Importance of targeting local keywords

Targeting local keywords is essential for deck builders who want to rank higher in local search results. For instance, if your deck building business is based in Atlanta, you should target keywords such as “deck builders in Atlanta,” “deck builders near me,” “Atlanta deck builders,” and “deck installation Atlanta.”

How to conduct keyword research

Start by brainstorming a list of relevant keywords that are related to your deck building services. You can also use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and SEMrush to discover new keywords and analyze their search volume and competition level.

 

Once you have a list of keywords, prioritize them based on their relevance to your services and search volume. Try to target long-tail keywords (i.e., three or more words) that are less competitive and more specific to your services.

Tips for on-page optimization

On-page optimization involves optimizing your website’s content to include your target keywords and improve its relevance to local search queries. Here are some tips for on-page optimization:

 

• Include your target keywords in your website’s title tags, meta descriptions, headings, and body content.
• Create location-specific pages for each of the areas you serve. For example, if you serve both Atlanta and Decatur, create separate pages for “deck builders in Atlanta” and “deck builders in Decatur.”
• Use schema markup to help search engines understand your website’s content and structure. This can include information like your business name, address, phone number, and customer reviews.
• Make sure your website’s URL structure is easy to read and includes your target keywords.

Building Local Citations

 

If you’re a deck builder looking to attract more local customers, one of the best ways to improve your local search visibility is to build local citations. A local citation is simply a mention of your business name, address, and phone number (also known as NAP) on a third-party website. Building these citations can help boost your local SEO rankings, as search engines use them to determine the relevance and authority of your business in your local area.

Here are some tips for building local citations:

 

• Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing: As we mentioned in a previous article, having a fully optimized Google My Business listing is essential for local SEO success. When you claim your listing, make sure your NAP information is accurate and consistent across all directories and platforms.

 

• List your business on local directories: There are many online directories that allow you to list your business for free, such as Yelp, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor. Make sure your NAP information is consistent across all of these directories and that you choose categories and tags that accurately reflect your business.

 

• Get listed on industry-specific directories: In addition to general local directories, there may be industry-specific directories that can help you build local citations. For example, if you specialize in eco-friendly deck building, you may want to list your business on directories like Green Home Guide or GreenBuildingAdvisor.com.

 

• Get listed on local blogs and news sites: If there are any local blogs or news sites that cover home improvement or construction topics, try to get your business mentioned in an article or a list of recommended contractors. Not only will this help you build local citations, but it can also help you generate referral traffic and leads.

 

• Leverage social media: Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn can also be great sources of local citations. Make sure your NAP information is included on your business pages and that you’re active and engaged with your followers.

The bottom line

 

In conclusion, optimizing your deck builder website for local SEO is crucial for improving your online visibility and attracting more local customers. By claiming and optimizing your Google My Business listing, conducting thorough keyword research and on-page optimization, and building local citations, you can increase your chances of appearing at the top of search engine results pages. Additionally, incorporating high-quality images and videos, customer testimonials and reviews, and clear contact information and call-to-action buttons can help enhance the user experience and further drive traffic to your website. Remember to keep up with the latest local SEO trends and continually update and improve your website to stay ahead of the competition.