Did you know that, according to Google, 50% of all searches on mobile devices are for local products and services? When it comes to online marketing, the path is fairly clear. If you’re not willing to invest in your company’s online presence, you’re essentially hanging a “closed” sign in the window of your website, drastically limiting its potential profits.

Finding affordable SEO services for small businesses isn’t always easy, especially when there’s so much — too much — to choose from. What’s the right fit for you, your business, and your budget? Here are a few important facts you should keep in mind.

Local SEO Experts Concentrate on Connecting You With the Audience That Actually Matters

Why do you need to work with a company that cares about your success? Local search is unique because you’re not targeting everyone online — you’re mostly trying to just connect with consumers in your local area. If a marketer ignores this and throws your content toward the general web, you’ll end up paying a lot more money than you need to.

What are Some Local SEO Strategies That Work?

Build up your presence in business profile websites like Yelp and UrbanSpoon. Many people aren’t just lookingfor a company, they also want to know about the company. If you’re a restaurant, add your menu as well as photos of your interior. If you’re a printing company, showcase images of what you can do.

Encourage consumers to leave reviews for your business on your site, and in other places. Though it might seem scary — what if they leave a bad review? — many searchers rely on posted comments to find out what real people think of the quality of your services. About 90% of people think online reviews are as trustworthy as the word of a friend.

Really gear yourself toward mobile search. Test your own website with your phone. It’s estimated that the majority of local searches actually take place on mobile devices — if your PDF of prices doesn’t show up on user devices, they’re more likely to click away.

What do you look for in affordable SEO services for small businesses? Let us know in the comments.