Local SEO: Why Your Local Business Might Not Be Ranking (And How to Fix It)

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10 Apr, 2025

As a local business owner, you’ve probably spent hours optimizing your website for SEO, focusing on keywords and content. But if your business still isn’t ranking the way you expect it to, the issue might not be your content—it could be Proximity and Pyromancy, two crucial elements for local SEO.

1. What is Local Search Intent?

Local search intent refers to the actions of customers who are looking for businesses near them. For example, if someone searches “best pizza in Dhaka,” their intent is clear—they want to find a pizza place close to where they are.

To tap into this search behavior, businesses need to optimize their online presence to meet the needs of local customers. This includes using the right keywords and providing information that is directly relevant to their location.

2. Why Local Businesses Struggle to Rank

Despite having the right content and keywords, many local businesses still struggle to appear in search results. The main reasons for this are:

Proximity: Google often prioritizes businesses that are physically closer to the user making the search. For instance, if you search for "plumber near me," Google will show businesses that are nearest to your location, even if other businesses have better content.

Pyromancy: This refers to the “magic” that local search results sometimes seem to follow. It’s about how Google perceives and understands local businesses’ relevance to their audience. It’s not just about keywords; it’s about how businesses interact with their community and local environment. If Google doesn’t find your business relevant to the local audience, it might not show your website in the local search results.

3. How to Improve Your Local SEO Ranking

To improve your ranking, focus on the following:

Optimize Google My Business (GMB): Ensure your GMB profile is complete and accurate, including your business name, address, phone number, business hours, and website link. This is one of the most important ranking factors for local businesses.

Get Local Reviews: Encourage happy customers to leave positive reviews on your Google My Business page. Reviews signal trustworthiness and relevance to Google.

Local Citations: List your business in local directories and websites. These citations help Google understand where your business is located and improve local SEO ranking.

Content that Matches Local Intent: Make sure the content on your website answers the specific questions local users might have. This includes using location-based keywords in your blog posts, landing pages, and other web content.

Mobile Optimization: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly. A lot of local searches happen on mobile devices, and Google prioritizes mobile-optimized websites in its search rankings.

4. Conclusion: SEO is More Than Keywords

SEO for local businesses is about more than just inserting the right keywords. Proximity and pyromancy play crucial roles in how your business ranks in local searches. By focusing on these aspects and ensuring that your content and online presence are fully optimized for local search intent, you can significantly improve your chances of ranking higher and attracting more local traffic.

If you're still struggling with local SEO, consider reaching out to an SEO expert who specializes in local rankings. With the right strategies, your business can grow its online visibility and attract more local customers.

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