What are ‘near me’ searches and how can a business be found for them?
Simply put, ‘near me’ searches are localised searches for when someone types (or speaks) a phrase for a product or service that contains the words ‘near me’ in it. At the time of writing this post, Covid restrictions are in the process of being relaxed, with many of the big food brands such as McDonald’s, KFC and Starbucks either reopening to offer collection or delivery services.
This has resulted in a number of ‘breakout’ searches for phrases such as ‘McDonald’s open near me’, ‘Starbucks near me’ and ‘KFCs open near me’ for people trying to find out which restaurants are either open or offering deliveries.
So, how can these searches apply to local, smaller businesses?
If you offer a product or service that is currently in demand, then a ‘near me’ search will more than likely apply to your business. Good examples of these are currently ‘Butchers delivery near me’ and amusingly, ‘wine delivery near me’. It’s easy to see that if your online presence is well optimised and relevant to the search term, then you’ll stand a good chance of being found and then hopefully being called or messaged.
How can my business be found for ‘near me’ searches?
When someone searches with a localised query such as ‘Hairdressers near me’ or ‘Beauty Salon near me’ their intent to buy or book an appointment is likely to be high. Therefore, It’s essential for local businesses to rank highly on Google for these types of terms if they want to be considered in the results.
In order to be found, you’ll need to ensure your Google My Business listing (GMB) is up to date with opening hours, service type (ie takeaway, delivery) and is well maintained. By well maintained, we recommend that you have a good selection of quality photographs uploaded and that you are posting regularly on the ‘posts’ section. Insuring your info is accurate, consistent and presented attractively will encourage potential customers to take action.
Would you like more info about how to enhance your presence on Google? Email us on hello@allianceagency.co.uk or give us a call on 01633 449885
