Summer is a strange time for local search. Depending on your industry, search volumes for your services might skyrocket (think “air conditioning repair near me” or “beer gardens open now”) or they might drop off completely as people head to the beach. But here is a secret: summer is actually the perfect time to work on your Local SEO.
Why? Because many of your local competitors will take their foot off the gas. They go on holiday, they stop updating their websites, and they ignore their Google Business Profiles. If you put in just a little bit of effort in June, July, and August, you can leapfrog them in the local search rankings.
Here are four simple ways to boost your Local SEO this summer.
1. Update Your “Summer Hours” Everywhere
Google hates inconsistency. If your website says you close at 5:00 PM, but your Google Business Profile says you close at 6:00 PM for the summer, Google’s algorithm gets confused. When Google is confused, it drops you down the rankings because it does not want to send a user to a closed business.
Take 15 minutes this week to check your opening hours across the web. Ensure they are exactly the same on:
- Your website’s contact page
- Your website’s footer
- Your Google Business Profile
- Your Facebook page
- Any local directories you are listed in (like Yell or Checkatrade)
If you are closing for a week in August for a family holiday, use the “Special Hours” feature in your Google Business Profile to let Google (and your customers) know well in advance.
2. Target “Near Me” Summer Searches
People’s search habits change in the summer. They are out and about more, which means mobile searches containing the phrase “near me” increase significantly.
Think about how your business relates to summer activities and create content around it.
- If you run a cafe, write a quick blog post about “The Best Summer Walks Near [Your Town] (And Where to Get Coffee Afterwards).”
- If you are a mechanic, create a page about “Summer Road Trip Car Checks in [Your Town].”
By naturally including your town name and summer-related topics on your website, you signal to Google that you are highly relevant to local people searching during the warmer months.
3. Upload “Sunny” Photos to Google
Google Business Profiles with recent, high-quality photos get significantly more clicks than those with old, dark photos.
If the photos on your profile were taken on a grey, rainy Tuesday in November, it is time for an update. Wait for a bright, sunny day in June and take some fresh photos. The outside of your premises, your team at work, or your latest products.
The bright, natural light makes your business look more inviting, and the fact that you are uploading new content signals to Google that your business is active and engaged.
4. Run a “Summer Review” Drive
Reviews are one of the strongest ranking factors for Local SEO. The businesses that appear in the top three spots on Google Maps almost always have a high number of positive, recent reviews.
Use the summer mood to your advantage. People are generally happier when the sun is shining! Start a proactive campaign to gather reviews:
- Send an email to all the customers you worked with in the spring, asking them to leave a review.
- Print a small card with a QR code linking directly to your Google review page and hand it to every customer.
- If you have a physical premises, put a polite sign by the till asking for reviews.
Remember to reply to every single review you receive. Google likes to see business owners engaging with their customers.
By taking these simple steps while your competitors are relaxing in the sun. You will build a stronger local search presence that will pay off. Not just this summer, but for the rest of the year.
About Dead On Digital
Dead On Digital supports UK small businesses with practical websites, digital marketing and smart automation that help improve and strengthen their online presence. Everything we do is focused on keeping things clear, simple and aligned with how real businesses actually operate day to day.
We believe your website and online presence should keep working for you as your business grows, not be built once and forgotten. If you are reviewing where you are now or thinking about ways to improve things online, we are always happy to offer friendly, honest advice.