Google Local SEO Statistics That Every Search Marketer Should Read
Imagine that you are home on a quiet weekend. Your sink drain starts leaking all over your new flooring. You need a plumber!
How would you find someone?
The chances are that you will pull out your phone and start searching online for plumbing contractors in your area.
If this is the approach you will take, you are not alone.
That is an example of the benefits of using a local SEO expert to drive customers to your business.
Google Local Search Statistics 2019
1. 88% of consumer local business searches on a mobile device either call or visit the business within 24 hours. (Nectafy)
2. 46% of all searches on Google are seeking local information.
3. 97% searched online to find a local business (Source: Hubspot)
4. As of June 2018, Google accounted for over 72.47% of all global desktop search traffic, followed by Baidu at 13.47%, Bing at 7.64%, and Yahoo at 4.74%. (NetMarketShare)
Also, be sure to check out my article on Voice Search Marketing Stats.
5. 86% of people look up the location of a business on Google Maps
6. 72% of consumers, who search for local businesses, end up visiting stores within five miles. (Hubspot)
7. 97% of people find out more about a local company through the internet in 2017. (BrightLocal)
8. Among these consumers, 12% search for a local business on a daily basis. This is a slight increase from 2016, where 11% searched for local businesses daily.
9. 92% of searchers will pick businesses on the first page of local search results.
10. 46% of all Google searches are local. The same article revealed that 60%)of the people who search for local business use smartphones. (Hubspot)
11. During holiday seasons, 76% of consumers prefer shopping in physical stores. (Geo Marketing report)
12. 70% of customers visit a store based on information found online.
13. 56% of local stores are yet to claim their local listing on Google. It is free to list business in either Bing Places for Business or Google My Business.
14. More than 50% of ‘near me’ searches result in a store visit. (Mediapost)
15. Between 20% and 25% of organic traffic converts to a lead.
16. Search beats social media by more than 300% as a traffic source. (imForza)
17. Companies dedicate 9% of their marketers’ time to SEO. In return, they convert 15% of the leads to sales. The study shows that marketers use 16% and 11% of their time on Social Media and email marketing respectively. Yet, they only realized 13% and 11% in conversions.
18. 61% of digital marketers treat search engine optimization as a top priority.
19. 85% of retailers rated Search Engine Marketing as the most effective acquisition tactic. A majority of retailers trust SEM. Retailers rated SEM higher than direct mail (15%) and offline advertising (8%). (Forester)
20. 61% of marketers value ranking high on search engines. (Hubspot)
Mobile Search Trends & Statistics
21. 67% prefer businesses whose apps or mobile sites target their location. (Think with Google)
22. 50% of people who conduct mobile searches for a local business will visit the store within one day. (Search Engine Land)
23. More than three-quarters of searches for local businesses on mobile devices end up buying from local stores.
23. 33% who use mobile phones to search for local companies are looking for the location. (Hubspot)
24. Almost 2 of 3 smartphone users are more likely to purchase from companies whose mobile sites or apps customize information to their location. ( Think with Google )
Takeaway: This is a clear sign that local searches have a positive influence on in-store traffic. This highlights the importance of having a consistent local business marketing strategy. Ensure that your business is listed on Google MY Business with a consistent name, address, and phone number.
25. An average mobile user spends about 4 hours a day on their smartphones.
26. 52.2% of all web traffic worldwide originated from mobile phones. (Statista)
27. By 2021, mobile devices will influence over $1.4 trillion in locally based sales. (Forrester).
28. 65 percent of people use their mobile phone in their buying moments. (Think with Google)
29. 71% of customers look to confirm the address before visiting a new store.
30. 75% of smartphone owners use search first. (Think with Google)
Importance Of Reviews For Local SEO Marketing
31. Today, more people give importance to online reviews than ever before. BrightLocal’s 2018 Local Consumer Survey revealed that a majority of consumers would regard a local business highly based on positive online reviews. 73% of consumers trust a business based on positive reviews.
32. An average consumer reads seven reviews to develop an opinion about a company.
33. 88% of local clients trust reviews.
Takeaway: Online reputation management is important. It can be your biggest asset if managed well. It can also turn out to be your worst liability.
Google also gives weight to reviews in local rankings. Looking to generate more Google reviews?
Closing Thoughts on SEO For Local Businesses
Developing a local search engine strategy is no longer an issue for debate. Local SEO has the potential of bringing you more customers.
Going by these statistics, it is clear that millions of consumers use local searches on a daily basis to find local products and services.
So, if you haven’t optimized your business for Google local search, you are failing to take advantage of this significant opportunity. The above trend suggests that more consumers are looking for local businesses.
