If you own a bait & tackle shop, local customers are key to your success.
While word-of-mouth referrals are big for tackle shops, maximizing your local search engine optimization (local SEO) is crucial for reaching a wider local audience and driving more business to your store.
Here are some tips on how to optimize your website and online listings for local search:
Optimize Your Google My Business Profile
Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool that allows you to manage your business information across Google, including in search results and on Google Maps. To optimize your GMB profile for local search, make sure that your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent and accurate. Include relevant categories and keywords in your profile description, and add high-quality photos of your store and products. Encourage your customers to leave reviews on your GMB profile, as positive reviews can boost your local search rankings.
Get Your Regulars to Leave Online Reviews
Online reviews are another important factor in local search rankings. Encourage your customers to leave reviews on your GMB profile, as well as on other review sites like Yelp or TripAdvisor. Respond to all reviews, both positive and negative, in a professional and friendly manner. This shows that you value customer feedback and can help improve your local search rankings.
Build Local Backlinks
Backlinks are links from other websites to your site, and they are an important factor in search engine rankings. To improve your local SEO, focus on building backlinks from other local businesses and organizations. Reach out to other fishing-related businesses in your area, such as fishing guides, boat charters, restaurants/bars, or other fishing/marine services, and offer to exchange links.
Another simple idea is to sponsor local events. These often come with a link in return from the official event website, though if they don’t, you can always request one.
Churn Out Local Content
Creating content that resonates specifically with your target local audience can also boost your local SEO.
Fishing can look very different depending where you are…
…and “cookie cutter” content doesn’t cut it when you’re competing for local anglers in tough markets.
Consider writing blog posts with fishing tips, how-to-guides, or creating videos that mention local fishing spots, highlight local fishing tournaments or events, or provide tips and advice that specifically applies to local waters.
You can also use local keywords in your content, such as the names of nearby lakes or rivers, to gently improve your local search rankings.
However, it’s very easy to accidentally go overboard with this and end up with Google thinking you’re spamming. Local content marketing is best left to fishing digital marketing professionals.
List Your Tackle Shop in Local Directories
Listing your business in local directories, such as Yellow Pages or Angie’s List, can also improve your local search rankings.
Make sure that your NAP information is consistent across all directories, and include relevant categories and keywords in your business description.
Consider listing your business in fishing-related directories as well—the names of which I won’t mention here, but you most likely know about them.
The Bottom Line
Focusing on local SEO is critical for reaching a wider audience and driving more business to your tackle shop.
By optimizing your Google My Business profile, building local backlinks, creating local content, encouraging online reviews, and listing your business in local directories, you can improve your local search rankings and attract more local customers to your store.
Need help with local SEO, technical SEO, Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising, web design, or any other type of search/digital marketing for your tackle shop? Get in touch with the team of fishing marketing experts at Page One Fishing—we’re always happy to help a fellow fisherman out.
