Did you know Google 3-pack local results appear for at least 93% of Google searches having local intent. Around 50% of consumers who use smartphone to do a local search will visit a local store within a day and 34% of those who use a computer or tablet do the same.
According to Search Engine Watch, 50% of online searches are done with local results in mind and 67% of those searches culminate in a purchase.
If that hasn’t convinced you, take a look at the study conducted by GE Capital Retail Bank. The study showed that more than 80% of consumers research online before making big local purchase decisions. Moreover, 75% will more likely visit local stores after finding then in search results.
Local SEO and mobile optimization go hand in hand
Any site that is not optimized for mobile viewing is losing a lot. There is overwhelming evidence to suggest that mobile devices account for more local searches than desktops. If your visitors cant quickly find what they are looking for in their mobile devices, they will quickly move onto another site. 50% of shoppers will prefer to use a different website if it is not mobile-friendly—regardless of whether they like the business.
The question now isn’t whether shoppers are more likely to use mobile devices to search for local business. The question you should ask yourself is whether your site is 100% mobile optimized. Do not allow high-converting visitors to move to your local competitors simply because you have failed to move with times.
Take Home!
The importance of ranking for local search is no longer debatable. Local searches are likely to lead to more in-store visits and purchases. In other words, local SEO can tremendously increase in-store traffic and sales. Having said that, it is critical that your website is mobile-friendly to tap the huge potential presented by mobile users. Without local SEO, you are doomed. Without mobile-friendly SEO, you are dead
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