While looking to spend on effective online marketing strategies, businesses often have to make a tough decision: Local SEO vs. Facebook ads. Both marketing strategies can be effective, however, if you look for long-term sustainability and a cost-effective solution, local SEO delivers better results than Facebook ads. Here, in this post, we will discuss how local SEO can bring you more clients than Facebook ads in the long run. Read on for further insights.

Understanding the Concept of Local SEO

Local SEO is the process of optimizing your business’s online presence. This makes your business appear on the first page of search results when people search for products and services you offer near their location. For example, if you run an organic food store in New Town, local SEO helps your business show up when people search “best organic food store in New Town or near me”.

Here are the primary aspects of local SEO:

• Optimization of Google Business Profile
• Getting listed in local business directories
• Receiving customer testimonials
• Creation of hyper local content
• Making the site fully mobile responsive

Limitations of Facebook Ads

Facebook ads are quite popular among the platform users. However, it has its limitations.

Involves High Expenses

If you use Facebook ads in highly competitive markets, it can be quite expensive. As more businesses strive to get customers’ attention, the cost per click (CPC) becomes higher. This high cost makes it difficult for a business to get maximum ROI.

Users Experience Ad Fatigue

On Facebook, users see the same ad multiple times which makes them ignore the ad altogether. This scenario is called ad fatigue and it can make it difficult for you to engage with your target audience over the long run.

Results Last Only for a Short Period

Facebook ads can bring faster results, however, these results are not long-lasting. Once you stop paying, these ads will stop showing their results too. On the other hand, organic local SEO drives long lasting results, it continues to bring traffic to your site even when you stop actively working on it.

Facebook Users Do Not Have High Intent

Facebook ads primarily depend upon the behaviors of users, their interests, and demographics. However, they are not that successful in attracting users who are likely to take action. In contrast, local SEO connects your business with people who are actively looking for your products or services. Thus, local SEO is more capable of turning internet users into your loyal customers.

Why Choose Local SEO Over Facebook Ads

When it comes to choosing between local SEO vs. Facebook ads, local SEO wins the game. Here is why local SEO is a more powerful tool for achieving business growth.

Brings Long Term Growth at Affordable Costs

A good reason to choose local SEO for your business is that it does not require you to spend money constantly. You can easily get plenty of customers by applying the right SEO practices such as optimizing your Google Business Profile. Gathering reviews is a great way to build trust and establish your business as a trustworthy one. These small steps bring long term results while keeping your costs minimal.

Targets Only High-Intent Customers

People who search for a local business are already interested in the products/services it has to offer. For instance, if someone is searching for the term “electrician near me”, apparently they are in need of an electrician. Unlike Facebook ads, local SEO lets your business target people who are in need of your products/services at the exact moment.

Builds Trust with Buyers

Genuine customer reviews play a vital role in local search rankings. When your business has a large number of positive reviews, you can expect more customers to trust your business. Facebook ads come out as less reliable advertising.

People Trust Organic SEO More Than Facebook Ads

It is a true fact that people trust organic search results more than paid advertisements.They trust these organic results more when they are looking for local businesses. Making your site appear on local searches through organic SEO will bring you more customers than paid advertising ever would.

Tips to Boost Your Local SEO Efforts

Make your local SEO efforts bring the best results through these proven strategies:

Update Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is the first place that establishes your online visibility. This is where people can get detailed information about your business. Update your profile with accurate, up-to-date, and complete information about your business. This information should include your proper location, operational hours, and functional contact numbers.

Request Customers to Write Reviews

Positive customer reviews can significantly boost your Google ranking while building trust. Request your customers to share their feedback on your products/services. Reviews can significantly help people find the right business they are looking for.

List Your Business in Local Directories

List your business on local business directories so that your target audience can easily find your business. Make sure to provide consistent Name, Address, and Phone (NAP) numbers across all digital channels.

Prepare Location-Specific Content

Prepare relevant content particularly for your local customers. Write blogs, articles, and other forms of content targeting local keywords. Such content will educate your target buyers about your products/services and help rank on local search results.

Optimize Your Site for Mobile Phones

Most internet users these days use mobile phones for accessing websites. Make sure your website loads smoothly and quickly on mobile phones.

Combine Local SEO with Facebook Ads

Local SEO is a highly powerful marketing tool. You can apply a more powerful marketing strategy for your business by combining local SEO with Facebook ads. Facebook ads can significantly assist you in creating awareness among your users and driving traffic to your online or physical store. At the same time, local SEO will ensure your business appears on search results, when prospect users search your business.

This way, by using both types of marketing strategies simultaneously, you can grow your business easily without investing a fortune.

Final Words

When it comes to choosing a marketing strategy between local SEO vs Facebook ads, local SEO provides you long term growth at minimal costs. Facebook ads can bring faster results, however, it requires continuous spending and stops producing any results once you stop paying. On the other hand, local SEO helps you to connect with high intent customers who are genuinely looking for the products/services you offer.

At DigitalBenz, we offer a wide range of digital marketing services to small and medium size businesses. Whether you want to apply  local SEO for reaching your target audience, or you want to invest in Facebook ads, or a combination of both, we have got your marketing needs adequately covered. Connect with us today to discuss further.