2021 kicked off with a bang, and if you missed the first BrightLocal webinar of the year, you might be wondering what insights were shared. Fear not—I'm here to break it down for you! BrightLocal’s CEO, Myles Anderson, teamed up with local SEO heavyweights Ben Fisher from Steady Demand, Joy Hawkins from Sterling Sky, and Andrew Shotland from Local SEO Guide. Together, they tackled the rollercoaster ride that was 2020 and laid out strategies for the road ahead.
Key Takeaways
If there’s one lesson we gleaned from the chaos of last year, it’s that adaptability is key. Ben Fisher reminded us that “the digital marketing landscape for agencies has shown remarkable resilience.” This adaptability isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity.
Investing in Marketing Matters
“Keep investing in marketing because right now, it’s really what you need to do,” Ben stressed. In a time when many businesses faced uncertainty, those who doubled down on marketing saw the rewards. If your business has slowed down, Joy Hawkins suggests leveraging this time to create content. “Make a list of the questions your customers ask you, and each one of those becomes a page on your website.” This is a smart way to engage your audience while boosting your SEO.
The Power of SEO
Andrew Shotland hit the nail on the head by stating that “SEO is always underinvested in.” When the pandemic hit, many businesses froze their ad budgets, but those with robust SEO strategies were less impacted. “Those who invested in it weren’t caught flatfooted,” he added. If you’re not prioritizing your Google My Business (GMB) profile, it’s time to rethink your strategy. As Ben puts it, “If you’re a local business and you’re not doing Google My Business, you may as well be giving all your business away to your competitors.”
Facing Challenges Together
The experts also touched on the dark side of local search: review spam. Joy noted, “Review spam is horrible... it is a real problem.” While Google has made some strides in combating this issue, there’s still much work to be done. The industry needs to rally together to protect consumers and ensure the integrity of reviews.
Resources for Your Local SEO Toolkit
The webinar wasn’t just talk; it was packed with resources to help you navigate the local SEO landscape. From combating spam to understanding the latest GMB attributes, the panelists shared valuable links to tools and studies that can aid your marketing efforts.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the first webinar of 2021 has set the tone for a year of resilience and adaptation in local search. As we move forward, keep these insights in mind and remember: your online presence is crucial to your business’s success.
In a digital world where visibility is everything, GMB Fox ensures your business isn’t just online—it’s the first choice customers make. Let us handle the complexities of digital marketing, so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
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