7 Reasons Why Your Automotive Shop Needs Local SEO
More than ever, local search engine optimization (SEO) has become key to helping brick-and-mortar shops grow their business online. What is “local” SEO? Similar to regular SEO (tactically building your site to increase its online visibility), except that it focuses on local customers searching online. Local SEO for Automotive Shops has become much more important since 2014, when Google began prioritizing local search results. Here are seven statistics from Safari Digital that highlight why focusing on local search is essential to capturing more of your local market.
1. 46% of Google Searches Are Local-Focused
Nearly half of all Google searches are related to location. This means that if your shop is not using local SEO, you are missing ranking for a huge portion of searches. By not having an online storefront optimized for local searches, your business risks missing out on a significant number of potential customers who are actively seeking their services in the area.
2. 28% of Local Searches Result in a Purchase
Consumers conducting local searches are looking to buy, with nearly a third resulting in a purchase. Customers are more educated than ever, and they know what they want: they just need to find where to buy it. Your business can miss out on potential purchasers when they neglect to establish a strong online presence, as many customers begin their product search with search engines to find local solutions. Local SEO not only enhances online visibility but also attracts highly qualified leads who are ready to buy.
3. 78% of Local Mobile Searches Lead to Offline Purchases
Local mobile searches are particularly potent, with 78% resulting in offline purchases—90% of them in physical stores. Automotive shops are in danger of losing sales by not optimizing for mobile searches, as many customers use their phones to find local stores and make offline purchases. This highlights the importance of local SEO for brick-and-mortar shops, especially those that offer installation.
4. 70% of Consumers Visit Stores Based on Online Information
Consumers often decide where to shop based on what they find online. Having a website is a good first step, but that website should be strongly optimized for local SEO if you want to truly take your foot traffic to another level. Simply put, if you’re not online, you’re not considered by a local customer.
5. “Near Me” Searches Increased by 136% in 2023
The popularity of “near me” searches has skyrocketed. By connecting your business and its physical address to popular brands and products, you can capture more of those local customers looking for products and services “near me.” This is a perfect opportunity to boost your local sales and drive more foot traffic of interested customers.
6. Over 50% of “Near Me” Searches Lead to Store Visits
Speaking of “near me” searches, more than half of them result in actual store visits, emphasizing the need for a strong local search strategy. In addition, 86% of consumers use Google Maps to find local businesses—meaning customers are relying heavily on search engines to find you.
7. ROI from Local SEO Takes an Average of 4.76 Months
Local SEO implementation typically becomes ROI-positive within 4.76 months, showing the effectiveness of sustained local SEO efforts. An effective strategy, developed over the course of only a few months, can provide long-term benefits by consistently attracting and retaining local customers, leading to sustained business growth.
How Aftermarket Websites® Can Put Local SEO to Work for You
Investing in a local SEO strategy can drive valuable leads and enhance online presence. Automotive businesses that leverage local SEO will gain a competitive edge, driving significant door traffic and building domain authority. We help build your local SEO by tying thousands of accessories consumers are looking for to your shop’s address, giving them a trusted local source for installation. Automatic product updates allow you to have the most up to date and curated product data, giving you an online competitive advantage. Our platform is highly effective with organic SEO, but there are numerous tools available to help you extend beyond your organic rankings. To learn more about how Aftermarket Websites® can benefit your business, schedule a demo with us below!
Sources: Safari Digital. Retrieved from: https://www.safaridigital.com.au/blog/local-seo-statistics/
