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Why is having a Google Business Profile important? How can it help to grow my local business?

Bold Vision Marketing

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Opportunities and Traffic


Google remains the world’s most used search engine with an over 90% share of the market. 46% of Google’s two trillion searches per year are local searches with local intent. Even with the growth of social media, consumers with what is known as “buyer intent” still use Google as their go to when they are looking to commit. Most people do not open up Facebook or Instagram with the intent of finding an accountant, a chiropractor, or service contractor, just to name a few examples. They open these platforms and other social media channels to browse videos, communicate socially and casually browse. That’s not to say that some do not use social media with some type of buyer intent, but when consumers are actively seeking a service, service provider, or are looking for a business “right now” (buyer intent), the large majority of those consumers use Google. SEO (Search Engine Optimization), which is utilized in both local and organic search strategies is the largest driver of traffic to content sites, beating social media by more than 300%. 

What does this all mean? There is a significant amount of opportunity within the local search market that businesses can capitalize on to grow their business and their digital real estate (their business website and GBP). At BOLD VISION SEO, we use the term “digital real estate” regularly, because in essence, which is exactly what your business website, GBP, and areas on the website that are allocated to your business are. Just like a physical home, your website is your property. It’s imperative that it is built on a proper foundation and regularly maintained.


Buyer Behavior and Intent


  • “Open now near me” searches have skyrocketed 400% over prior years.
  • Map apps drive 30-40% of local business discovery.
  • 97% of people learn more about a local company online than anywhere else.
  • 49% of users say they use Google to discover or find a new item or product.
  • 62% of consumers will disregard a business if they can’t find them online.
  • 90% of consumers who search for a local business will make a purchase within one week of their initial search.

So, what does this tell us? A few things. That the Google Maps app is extremely important for your business’s visibility and promotion and that users are using the Google platform more frequently and regularly than ever before. More and more consumers are opening up Google and searching for businesses that are local to them. Additionally, most consumers do not necessarily have a specific business in mind when they are searching so again, there are significant opportunities that exist to be seized upon.  “Even if a consumer does not make a purchase immediately, 90 percent will make a purchase within one week of their initial search.” 90%! That’s a pretty significant figure and is a great indicator of the importance of increasing your business’ online visibility within local search results. Finally, with 62% of consumers indicating that they disregard a business that cannot be found online, so having and maintaining a comprehensive and optimized presence online is imperative to the success of any local business.


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Navigating the SEO Landscape: Predictions and Strategies for 2024 in Fairfax, VA Introduction: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) remains a cornerstone of digital marketing, constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing algorithms and user behaviors. As we step into 2024, the SEO landscape is poised for significant shifts, driven by emerging technologies, changing consumer preferences, and updates from major search engines. In this article, we'll delve into key predictions and strategies that businesses in Fairfax, VA, need to embrace, ensuring their online presence thrives in the competitive local market while integrating the keywords "SEO Fairfax, VA" and "website designs Fairfax, VA" seamlessly into our discussion. Voice Search Optimization Takes Center Stage: Voice search has been steadily gaining momentum, thanks to the proliferation of smart speakers and virtual assistants. By 2024, it's predicted that half of all searches will be conducted via voice. To capitalize on this trend in Fairfax, VA, businesses must optimize their content for conversational queries and long-tail keywords relevant to the local area, such as "best SEO services in Fairfax, VA" and "innovative website designs in Fairfax, VA." Featured snippets and FAQ sections tailored to local needs will become even more crucial for securing top positions in voice search results. AI and Machine Learning Revolutionize Search Algorithms: Google's algorithms are becoming increasingly sophisticated, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. In 2024, we can expect search engines to prioritize user intent and context even more, rewarding websites that deliver personalized, relevant content tailored to the Fairfax community. To stay competitive in SEO Fairfax, VA, businesses need to focus on creating high-quality, authoritative content that satisfies local user queries comprehensively, including those related to website design solutions. The Rise of Video SEO: Video content continues to dominate online consumption, with platforms like YouTube commanding billions of views every day. In Fairfax, VA, optimizing video content for search engines will be imperative for businesses seeking greater visibility in the local market. This involves optimizing video titles, descriptions, and tags with keywords like "SEO services in Fairfax, VA" and "cutting-edge website designs in Fairfax, VA," as well as leveraging transcripts and captions to enhance accessibility and local keyword relevance. Mobile-First Indexing Becomes Non-Negotiable: With the majority of internet traffic now originating from mobile devices, Google has shifted to a mobile-first indexing approach, prioritizing the mobile version of websites for ranking purposes. In Fairfax, VA, mobile optimization will be non-negotiable for businesses aiming to maintain or improve their search visibility among local consumers. This entails ensuring fast loading times, responsive design, and intuitive navigation across all mobile devices in the Fairfax area, including websites showcasing innovative designs. E-A-T Emerges as a Key Ranking Factor: Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-A-T) have long been important considerations for Google's quality raters. In Fairfax, VA, we can expect E-A-T to play an even more significant role in search rankings, particularly for YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) content categories such as health, finance, and legal services. Businesses offering SEO in Fairfax, VA, should focus on establishing their expertise, building authority within the local niche, and fostering trust through transparent and credible content, including information about website design capabilities. Structured Data Markup Gains Prominence: Structured data markup, in the form of Schema.org, provides search engines with additional context about the content on a webpage, improving the likelihood of rich snippets and enhanced search results. In Fairfax, VA, implementing structured data markup will be increasingly important for enhancing SERP visibility among local consumers. Businesses should leverage structured data to highlight key information such as local SEO services, reviews, events, and details about website design offerings specific to Fairfax, VA. Local SEO Optimization for Hyperlocal Targeting: As consumers in Fairfax, VA, continue to prioritize convenience and proximity in their search queries, local SEO will remain paramount for businesses with physical locations. In 2024, optimizing for hyperlocal targeting will be essential for businesses in Fairfax, VA, requiring them to claim and optimize their Google My Business listings with keywords like "SEO company Fairfax, VA" and "website design agency Fairfax, VA," solicit and respond to customer reviews, and ensure consistency of NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) information across all online platforms. The Importance of Keyword Research and Backlinking: Keyword research and backlinking remain foundational elements of successful SEO strategies. In Fairfax, VA, understanding the specific search terms and phrases used by local consumers is essential for optimizing content and targeting relevant traffic. Businesses offering SEO services and website designs in Fairfax, VA, should conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify high-value opportunities and inform their content creation efforts. Additionally, building quality backlinks from reputable sources signals to search engines the authority and relevance of a website, further enhancing its visibility and ranking potential in the competitive Fairfax market. Privacy and User Experience (UX) Take Precedence: With growing concerns around data privacy and user experience, search engines are placing greater emphasis on website security, loading speed, and overall usability. In Fairfax, VA, businesses offering SEO services need to prioritize privacy compliance, optimize for Core Web Vitals, and deliver seamless, frictionless experiences across all devices for local consumers. A positive user experience not only enhances search rankings but also fosters customer loyalty and engagement within the Fairfax community, including those seeking website design solutions. Conclusion: As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of SEO in Fairfax, VA, in 2024, businesses must embrace proactive strategies tailored to the local market to adapt to emerging trends and algorithms. From optimizing for voice search and video content to prioritizing E-A-T and hyperlocal targeting, staying ahead requires a holistic approach that integrates technical excellence with user-centricity specific to the Fairfax area. By embracing these predictions and strategies, businesses offering SEO services and website design solutions in Fairfax, VA, can position themselves for sustained success in the dynamic world of search engine optimization. Bold Vision SEO, LLC is ready to assist businesses in Fairfax, VA, in implementing these strategies and achieving their SEO goals.
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