Menu
Written By The Art Of Business Content Team
Running a small business in Calgary is no easy task. Between juggling customer service, managing inventory, and staying ahead of competitors, it can feel like a never-ending race.
And when it comes to attracting local customers, the competition is fierce. So, how do you make sure your business doesn’t get lost in the crowd? Local SEO might be the game-changer you need.
With almost half of all Google searches looking for local information, your potential customers are already searching for businesses like yours. In fact, 78% of local searches on mobile lead to an offline purchase!
This is huge for small businesses in a city like Calgary, with over 1.3 million residents. Without a solid local SEO strategy, you risk missing out on customers who are actively looking for what you offer.
But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Let’s see how you can use local SEO to get your business noticed and attract more Calgarians.
Think about this: Someone in your neighbourhood is looking for a restaurant or a plumber. They grab their phone and type in “best Calgary restaurant” or “Calgary plumbers.”
If your business is at the top of those search results, congratulations—you’ve just gained a new customer. That’s the power of Local SEO.
Local SEO makes sure your business shows up when people search for products or services in their area. Here’s why it’s crucial for your Calgary business:
If you’re wondering how to make Local SEO work for your business, here’s a breakdown of actionable steps. These strategies are tailored to small businesses looking to gain local traction in Calgary.
Your Google My Business (GMB) profile is one of the most important local SEO tools at your disposal. When someone searches for a business, the GMB listing often shows up before the website itself.
Make sure to claim your business on Google My Business and fully complete the profile. This includes:
For instance, if you’re a restaurant, adding photos of your best dishes or cozy interior can encourage potential customers to visit. Engaging with reviews is also critical—thank your happy customers, and respond professionally to any negative feedback.
Showing that you care about customer satisfaction helps build trust and improves your standing in local search results.
Your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) must be consistent across all online platforms. Whether it’s on your website, GMB listing, or other local directories like Yelp or Yellow Pages, having uniform NAP details helps search engines verify your business.
Inconsistencies can confuse both search engines and potential customers, leading to lost opportunities.
For example, let’s say your business address appears as “123 Maple St.” on one platform but “123 Maple Street” on another. This small difference can cause issues with search engine rankings. It’s a good idea to periodically check all listings and make sure everything matches perfectly.
Incorporating local keywords into your website is essential for helping search engines understand the location of your business. Use phrases like “Calgary dry cleaner,” “Calgary digital marketing agency”, or “best bakery in Calgary” in your page titles, meta descriptions, headers, and even image alt text.
Let’s say you run a boutique in the Inglewood neighbourhood. Incorporating keywords like “Inglewood boutique Calgary” into your site content helps you rank not just for Calgary, but specifically for your neighbourhood. This type of hyper-local targeting can attract nearby customers who prefer to shop locally.
Content is king, especially when it’s locally relevant. Creating blog posts or articles that resonate with Calgary residents not only boosts your SEO but also builds a stronger connection with your community.
Write about local events, Calgary-specific tips, or even offer insights into the local industry you serve.
For example, if you own a landscaping business, you could write blog posts about “Top Plants for Calgary Gardens” or “Preparing Your Lawn for Calgary Winters.” This kind of targeted content makes your website a valuable resource for locals, increasing your chances of appearing in search results.
A powerful local SEO strategy involves building backlinks from other local websites. These backlinks signal to search engines that your business is credible and relevant in your area. Look for opportunities to collaborate with other Calgary-based businesses, organizations, or even bloggers.
For instance, partnering with a local blogger to review your products or services can earn you valuable backlinks. Or, sponsor a local event and request a link back to your website from the event’s promotional materials.
These local backlinks not only boost your SEO but also help you network with other businesses in the Calgary community.
Social media isn’t just for interacting with your audience—it can also have an impact on your local SEO. Posting regularly about events, promotions, and services specific to Calgary helps reinforce your local presence.
Platforms like Facebook and Instagram can be great for connecting with local customers and driving traffic back to your website. Use local hashtags like #CalgaryBusiness, #YYCLife, or #ShopLocalYYC to increase your visibility among Calgary residents.
For example, a local Calgary restaurant might post about a special offer using hashtags like #YYCEats or #CalgaryFoodie. This type of targeted engagement can drive more eyes to your business and encourage people to visit your site.
Structured data markup (also known as schema) helps search engines understand specific details about your business. This includes your business type, location, and contact information.
Implementing structured data on your website can improve how your business appears in search results.
For instance, if you run a local hardware store, using structured data markup helps search engines display rich snippets about your business, like your hours of operation, reviews, and product availability, directly in the search results.
This makes your business stand out and provides users with important information right away.
Online reviews are a crucial part of local SEO. They build trust and improve your ranking in local searches. Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook.
Responding to reviews—whether positive or negative—shows that you value feedback and are committed to customer satisfaction.
For example, if you own a Calgary-based home renovation company and a customer leaves a glowing review about your work, replying with a thank you and addressing any details they mention can further enhance your credibility. Even handling negative reviews gracefully can improve public perception and boost trust.
Local SEO isn’t static—it’s an ongoing process that requires monitoring and adjustments. Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your local search performance.
Look for patterns in your traffic, see which keywords are driving visitors to your site, and identify any areas for improvement.
For example, if you notice a drop in traffic or ranking for a specific keyword, take a closer look at your website to see if any changes or updates are needed. This could mean updating outdated content, improving page load times, or refining your keyword strategy.
In a city as dynamic as Calgary, local SEO is your ticket to standing out from the crowd. Whether you’re a local café or a boutique service provider, implementing the right strategies will not only boost your visibility but also drive more local customers to your door.
Don’t let your business blend into the background—take action now! If your SEO checklist does not already include local SEO, then you need a new checklist.
Start optimizing your online presence with local SEO and watch your traffic, conversions, and sales grow.
Need expert guidance? The Art of Business is here to help you craft the perfect SEO strategy to dominate your local market.
Ready to get started? Contact The Art of Business at www.theartofb.ca and let’s turn those local searches into loyal customers.