A Beginner’s Guide to Local SEO

Did you know that nearly half of all Google searches have “local intent” — meaning they’re using local keywords to target their search? In order to reach local customers in your service area, you have to localize your SEO strategy. It can be overwhelming. Where should you even begin? If you want to improve your local SEO, we can help. At Padula Media, we can improve your local SEO in Philadelphia and beyond to grow your business, increase your visibility and drive more leads.
To really understand the value of investing in local SEO, it’s important to understand how it can benefit your business and where you can make some simple changes initially to drive results.

Benefits of Localizing your SEO

While not all businesses will benefit from a localized SEO approach, if you’re serving a specific geographic region or looking to grow your business in a key area, you should consider increasing your local SEO for the Philadelphia area.
Here are some key benefits we see when clients implement a local SEO strategy:

  • Increases website rankings on Google – When consumers in your area search for businesses nearby, your website will appear at the top of their search results. The first rank position on a Google search receives nearly 50% of the traffic for that search. It drops to 11% for the second-ranking position, emphasizing the importance of that top spot.
  • Increases your brand’s local visibility – When consumers in your area search for businesses nearby, your website will appear at the top of their search results. The first rank position on a Google search receives nearly 50% of the traffic for that search. It drops to 11% for the second-ranking position, emphasizing the importance of that top spot.
  • Local SEO drives the highest conversion rates in local advertising – Investing in local SEO in Philadelphia is a smart and efficient use of your marketing budget that will result in more leads and a higher conversion rate.
  • Ensures your business is cross-promoted on Google maps – If you have a brick-and-mortar storefront, utilizing local SEO will ensure your business is cross-promoted on other navigation platforms.

Where to start?

If the thought of tackling local SEO in Philadelphia gets your heart racing — don’t worry. You’ll start seeing results quickly with the right strategy and proper help. Here are some beginner steps we recommend taking with our clients when we begin working on their local SEO in Philadelphia.

Create, maintain and optimize your Google My Business Page

The first step for any business – whether they’re really focusing on SEO or not – is claiming their Google My Business page. This free tool gives local businesses many benefits but mainly legitimizes your business and establishes your presence on Google.
Once you claim your Google My Business page, you’ll be able to keep critical information about your business updates, like phone number, hours of operation, location, website, and more. You will also be able to set three to five categories highlighting the services you provide.

Strategically plan your keywords

The foundation of an SEO strategy involves picking the right keywords for your business. Finding the best keywords takes a bit of research, but luckily Google offers its Google Keyword Planner as a free software tool to get started. You can begin to research which keywords are most searched for, how they rank amongst competitors, and where you can incorporate them into your own strategy.
Our team at Padula Media can help guide you through this research phase. We’ll examine your business, your current website, and the SEO keywords and provide a recommendation and plan to put you front and center of these search results.

Make sure your website is mobile-friendly

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when building your website is neglecting the mobile version of your site. Google will rank more mobile-friendly websites higher in search rankings, so ensuring your site is easily viewable and useable by consumers on their phones is key to growing your local SEO presence. Make sure your website is fast, viewable on phones, and provides a good user experience. 50% of mobile users will leave a website if it doesn’t load in 10 seconds or less!

Publish localized content

Once your website’s infrastructure is set up and you’ve accomplished the basics, you can start creating and generating great content that improves your SEO rankings. Creating great content will not only increase your visibility, but it will drive traffic to your site and increase conversions as a result.
When thinking about your content, it’s important to go deeper than just an “About Us” page. You should be creating valuable, keyword-rich content that your customers will resonate with. Whether it’s a blog or several keyword-specific pages, make sure you include relevant links and write copy that is authentic to your business.
Writing great content takes a lot of time – that’s where we can help. At Padula Media, our team will work to provide the content you need to grow your local SEO in Philadelphia and beyond. You don’t have to spend time writing — We’ll do it for you.

Increase and promote your customer reviews

While customer reviews are great for your brand’s local credibility, they also help increase your SEO presence. Google shows businesses with good reviews higher than those without, so it’s worth investing in a strategy to drive more reviews. As you build out your marketing plan, think about how you can encourage your customers to leave reviews on your Google business page. This will signal to search engines and local consumers that your business is legitimate.
As a local business owner, making sure you are at the top of the Google results page is crucial to building your business. While your website might look pretty and function great, you’re leaving potential business behind if it’s not optimized for search engines. Focusing on local SEO helps you increase traffic in your local area and will ultimately help you grow your business.
Unsure where to start? Our team of professionals at Padula Media can help you rank higher and get more sales and leads. We’ll work to understand your business and your goals and develop a custom plan to help you succeed. Schedule time with a local SEO expert today.

Jordan

TECHNICAL SPECIALIST

Jordan received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from Texas A&M and started his first business after graduating. He has started and exited businesses in various industries including education, SaaS, marketing, eCom, SEO, and AI. Outside of work he likes to cook, game, and take leisurely walks around the lake.

Alex

WRITER

Alex Shute is an SEO Strategist and SEO Content Writer renowned for integrating organic search into broader marketing strategies, aiding businesses and professionals in boosting their organic revenue. Passionate about SEO and Content Writing, Alex stays abreast of industry trends and conducts thorough site analyses to enhance SEO metrics and identify improvement areas.

Ethan

WRITER

Ethan is an experienced Content and Copywriter. He graduated from Clemson Univeristy with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Psychology. After graduating he moved to Europe to teach Englsh in Hungary and Spain before returning home to get back to his marketing roots. When he isn’t working, Ethan loves to travel, play soccer, play guitar and spend time with friends and family.

Shannon McLaughlin

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Shannon graduated from Shippensburg University with a major in Communication/ Journalism and emphasis in Public Relations. Outside of work she enjoys running, Philly sports, and spending time with friends and family.

Kyle Toomey

PHOTOGRAPHER

Kyle is our Content Creator. Photography, Videography & Drone. “Creating Content is what I love to do and to be able to do it as a career makes it all the better.” Kyle recently got married and enjoys spending his time with his wife Traveling, watching Philadelphia sports and playing Baseball/Softball.

Owen Pesnell

VIDEOGRAPHER

Owen is passionate about helping clients communicate through video. From the conception of a project all the way through to final delivery, Owen’s focus is on creating video content that is true to your brand and resonates with your target audience. Outside of work, you’ll likely find him walking the Schuylkill River Trail.

Megan

CONTENT CREATOR

Megan is a content creator with a passion for telling stories through intentional design. She holds her bachelor’s degree in Communicative Arts, with emphasis on Public Relations, from Wisconsin Lutheran College. Throughout her career, Megan has worked with dozens of businesses to revamp their marketing materials and strengthen their social strategy. When she is not designing social media graphics and debating the use of the oxford comma, Megan is with her family and friends (and still probably drinking coffee).

Ethan

WRITER

Ethan is an experienced Content and Copywriter. He graduated from Clemson Univeristy with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Psychology. After graduating he moved to Europe to teach Englsh in Hungary and Spain before returning home to get back to his marketing roots. When he isn’t working, Ethan loves to travel, play soccer, play guitar and spend time with friends and family.

Lili

WRITER

Lili is an experienced SEO writer passionate about creating engaging content. When she’s not working, Lili enjoys spending time outdoors, reading books or bingeing shows, and caring for her two fur babies. An avid learner, she also works hard to stay up-to-date on the latest strategies and techniques associated with marketing and SEO.

Cameron

LEAD WRITER

Cameron is a writer and digital marketing expert dedicated to helping small businesses grow through valuable content and digital strategies. With years of experience, she has aided numerous businesses in expanding their reach and establishing themselves as industry leaders. A Virginia Tech graduate, Cameron has worked as a reporter for the Roanoke Times and spent seven years on Compass real estate’s marketing team, working with the nation’s top real estate agents to grow their business. She enjoys building lasting relationships with clients and using powerful content to help them achieve their goals.

Maribeth Woodford

MARKET DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Maribeth Woodford is a seasoned professional with a rich background in business development, franchise sales, and marketing. Her entrepreneurial journey is highlighted by her successful stint as the owner of a yoga studio for eight years, demonstrating her deep understanding of market trends and customer engagement. This experience underlines her expertise in not only running a business but also in effectively marketing it to a target audience. Her skills in marketing have been instrumental in her ability to help businesses grow, showcasing her knack for creating strategies that resonate with diverse consumer bases. Maribeth’s authenticity shines through in her marketing approach, allowing her to connect with customers and clients on a genuine level. In her personal life, Maribeth is a dedicated mother to two college-aged children and enjoys the lively company of her GoldenDoodle, Munson. Her love for travel and yoga is a reflection of her dynamic personality and continuous quest for knowledge. Overall, Maribeth Woodford’s blend of professional acumen in business development, marketing, and franchise sales, combined with her passions, paints the picture of a well-rounded, driven, and compassionate individual.

Laura

PHOTOGRAPHER

A former biologist, Laura first picked up a camera to photograph the microscopic world of insects. She now enjoys all genres of photography including real estate, events, portraits, and her favorite: family documentary. When she’s not behind the lens Laura can be found with her husband and their five kids camping at the beach or off on some other (mis)adventure.

Maddy

BRANDING AND DESIGN

Maddy is a strategic storytelling expert with a diverse background in digital marketing, videography, and graphic design. She received her B.S. in Interactive Digital Media with minors in Graphic Arts and Film Studies from Immaculata University. Outside of building brands, Maddy is also a trained dancer and teacher, Ben & Jerry’s addict, and dog lover.

Nicole Kavetski

Senior Marketing Manager

Nicole received her B.S. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from West Chester University and has made her way into the Digital Marketing field as Padula Media’s Senior Marketing Manager. Outside of work, she likes to travel, cook, and attend concerts with her friends.

Sachin

FULL-STACK DEVELOPER

Sachin is a highly skilled full-stack developer. He completed his graduation in website development.

After completing his studies, He started his professional journey as a web developer and worked in an IT organization for three years.

Apart from his professional endeavours, He is also a fitness enthusiast and likes to spend his free time in the gym.

Kari Schneider

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT & FINANCE

Kari is a longtime entrepreneur and networker. She has a 25+ year background in sales and marketing in the telecommunications industry, real estate, solar and business consulting. She loves balancing books and creating order out of chaos.

Steven Singer

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Steven, our Director of Operations, is focused on strategy, growth, and the future of Padula Media. He has a background in the real estate industry stemming from sales to operations and management. With Padula Media, Steven will be helping our sales, marketing, and operations teams to give our clients a 5-star experience in achieving their goals.

Thomas Padula

FOUNDER & CEO

Thomas is a creative marketer and leader with determination and enthusiasm for every project and every client. He remains passionate about growing businesses by creating personalized solutions to draw traffic and build an online presence. Thomas has been recognized as one of the most influential leaders in Chester County under the age of 40.

Fred

MASCOT

Fred Chunky Padula is Padula Media’s mascot.