5 tips for better local SEO reporting

Oligarch

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Reporting is one area where many firms fall short, particularly in local SEO.

Unlike corporate and worldwide firms with C-level executives and stockholders, many small businesses are primarily interested in increasing foot traffic.

Agencies may better serve local companies and develop deeper connections by streamlining our approach and focusing on providing only highly relevant data.

Here are five suggestions to help you enhance your local SEO reports and better serve your local clientele.

Simplify reports
Simplifying your SEO reports is a suggestion that not just local SEO firms should follow, but every agency should. As marketers and communicators, our natural instinct is to deliver as complete a report as possible. This is especially true when marketers try to mask poor campaign outcomes behind a pile of data. Our reports, on the other hand, should give a clear and straightforward tale about how effectively our marketing strategies are performing. Complicated reports with extraneous data detract from campaign success and cause some readers' eyes to glaze over.
Choose the right metrics
Choosing the right data to create a story with data is an important part of the process. Most local companies are solely concerned with two key metrics: traffic and conversions. This is not to say that you should overlook every significant indicator, but rather that you should select metrics that are pertinent to your story. Even measures like total traffic don't tell you how qualified that traffic is or where it comes from.
Segment keywords by location
As we go deeper into the local parts of SEO, we must ensure that our reports are sufficiently configured to solely report on local keyword data. You'll need an advanced keyword tool for this part, such as Semrush, Moz, or Ahrefs. In this example, I utilized Semrush to establish a new project and integrate position tracking on my most crucial keywords. As you can see in the screenshot below, I set up position tracking for searches in the Houston metropolitan region. I can then upload keywords from Semrush or even Google Analytics to report on.
Segment traffic by device
Filtering data by device is also important for tracking local SEO initiatives. That's why I prefer to include parts in my reports that detail traffic by device, right down to the location and device level. In terms of local SEO, mobile search traffic is likely more essential than desktop traffic, especially when click-to-calls and mobile ordering are included, both of which are typically done on a smartphone or other mobile device.
Track local SEO results
Another significant distinction in Google's approach to local searches is the use of tools such as the Local Search Pack and Google Business Profile. For many local businesses, Google Business Profile listings may be a far better source of conversions and foot traffic than their actual website. To track Google Business Profile data with any traditional reporting tool, you'll need to sign up for a connection.
 
Reporting is one area where many firms fall short, particularly in local SEO.

Unlike corporate and worldwide firms with C-level executives and stockholders, many small businesses are primarily interested in increasing foot traffic.

Agencies may better serve local companies and develop deeper connections by streamlining our approach and focusing on providing only highly relevant data.

Here are five suggestions to help you enhance your local SEO reports and better serve your local clientele.

Simplify reports
Simplifying your SEO reports is a suggestion that not just local SEO firms should follow, but every agency should. As marketers and communicators, our natural instinct is to deliver as complete a report as possible. This is especially true when marketers try to mask poor campaign outcomes behind a pile of data. Our reports, on the other hand, should give a clear and straightforward tale about how effectively our marketing strategies are performing. Complicated reports with extraneous data detract from campaign success and cause some readers' eyes to glaze over.
Choose the right metrics
Choosing the right data to create a story with data is an important part of the process. Most local companies are solely concerned with two key metrics: traffic and conversions. This is not to say that you should overlook every significant indicator, but rather that you should select metrics that are pertinent to your story. Even measures like total traffic don't tell you how qualified that traffic is or where it comes from.
Segment keywords by location
As we go deeper into the local parts of SEO, we must ensure that our reports are sufficiently configured to solely report on local keyword data. You'll need an advanced keyword tool for this part, such as Semrush, Moz, or Ahrefs. In this example, I utilized Semrush to establish a new project and integrate position tracking on my most crucial keywords. As you can see in the screenshot below, I set up position tracking for searches in the Houston metropolitan region. I can then upload keywords from Semrush or even Google Analytics to report on.
Segment traffic by device
Filtering data by device is also important for tracking local SEO initiatives. That's why I prefer to include parts in my reports that detail traffic by device, right down to the location and device level. In terms of local SEO, mobile search traffic is likely more essential than desktop traffic, especially when click-to-calls and mobile ordering are included, both of which are typically done on a smartphone or other mobile device.
Track local SEO results
Another significant distinction in Google's approach to local searches is the use of tools such as the Local Search Pack and Google Business Profile. For many local businesses, Google Business Profile listings may be a far better source of conversions and foot traffic than their actual website. To track Google Business Profile data with any traditional reporting tool, you'll need to sign up for a connection.
I agree with Oligarch that reporting is where you fall short and one of the main reasons SEO guys lose accounts. However, it comes from focusing on rankings instead of what matters.

Since this is a local SEO section, I recommend focusing on Google Insights and not SEM rush rank reports or others like them. The website is important for branding, but should not be a major part of any budget for local if the business has a trade area locally where up to 80% of their customers and real monthly gross comes from. We have not lost a client in over 3 years by giving them the right SEO based on what's reported on Insights along with good call-tracking software for any lead generation we provide. Why use Insights numbers? For one, clients believe in Google as it comes from god (lol). Secondly, third-party software and single-digit ranking reports still are not believed because clients don't equate them with the cash register. Be judged by the Local SEO you provide and metrics that prove it. Focus on generating traffic for the GMB, the smartphone, and GPS. Do not rely on just GEO grids either as they are just pictures of hundreds of GPS points for an area that has hundreds of thousands. In competitive areas, you are setting up for failure if you make this your reason to be judged as an agency. We have our own mapping system, but use it to create campaigns, not be judged by clients. GEO grid maps are great for client prospecting and to show when you have made some results, and when you are happy with them. Not a monthly make-it-or-break-it result as to whether you keep an account. The important thing is the search, map views, and calls, direction requests, reviews generated so you can show you are doing everything possible. Even in bad months, the client could have done worse if not for you stopping the bleeding with increasing local interaction with the GMB. In anyone wants a template I have made for my guys to use I will be happy to share. Just spend 2O minutes a month extracting the positive from your local insights and work completed with each account. You will be glad you did.
 
Reporting is one area where many firms fall short, particularly in local SEO.

Unlike corporate and worldwide firms with C-level executives and stockholders, many small businesses are primarily interested in increasing foot traffic.

Agencies may better serve local companies and develop deeper connections by streamlining our approach and focusing on providing only highly relevant data.

Here are five suggestions to help you enhance your local SEO reports and better serve your local clientele.

Simplify reports
Simplifying your SEO reports is a suggestion that not just local SEO firms should follow, but every agency should. As marketers and communicators, our natural instinct is to deliver as complete a report as possible. This is especially true when marketers try to mask poor campaign outcomes behind a pile of data. Our reports, on the other hand, should give a clear and straightforward tale about how effectively our marketing strategies are performing. Complicated reports with extraneous data detract from campaign success and cause some readers' eyes to glaze over.
Choose the right metrics
Choosing the right data to create a story with data is an important part of the process. Most local companies are solely concerned with two key metrics: traffic and conversions. This is not to say that you should overlook every significant indicator, but rather that you should select metrics that are pertinent to your story. Even measures like total traffic don't tell you how qualified that traffic is or where it comes from.
Segment keywords by location
As we go deeper into the local parts of SEO, we must ensure that our reports are sufficiently configured to solely report on local keyword data. You'll need an advanced keyword tool for this part, such as Semrush, Moz, or Ahrefs. In this example, I utilized Semrush to establish a new project and integrate position tracking on my most crucial keywords. As you can see in the screenshot below, I set up position tracking for searches in the Houston metropolitan region. I can then upload keywords from Semrush or even Google Analytics to report on.
Segment traffic by device
Filtering data by device is also important for tracking local SEO initiatives. That's why I prefer to include parts in my reports that detail traffic by device, right down to the location and device level. In terms of local SEO, mobile search traffic is likely more essential than desktop traffic, especially when click-to-calls and mobile ordering are included, both of which are typically done on a smartphone or other mobile device.
Track local SEO results
Another significant distinction in Google's approach to local searches is the use of tools such as the Local Search Pack and Google Business Profile. For many local businesses, Google Business Profile listings may be a far better source of conversions and foot traffic than their actual website. To track Google Business Profile data with any traditional reporting tool, you'll need to sign up for a connection.
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5 tips for better local SEO reporting?

Hi,

5 Tips for Better Local SEO Reporting

These five tips will support you improve your local SEO reporting to serve your local clients better.

1. Simplify Reports
Local SEO agencies should follow this tip, and all agencies should.
2. Select the Right Metrics
Data is only part of telling a story. You must choose the correct data to tell that story.
3. Segment Keywords by Location
We’ll be looking at more local SEO aspects and need to optimize our reports to report only on the relevant keywords.
4. Segment Traffic by Device
Filtering data by a device is equally important for local SEO campaigns.
5. Get Local SERP Results
Google’s approach to local search is also different, using tools such as the Local Search Pack or Google Business Profile.

Google Business Profile listings are a great source of foot traffic and conversions for many local businesses.

To track Google Business Profile data with any other reporting tool, you will need to sign up for a connector
 
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