Getting your business to show up on the first page of Google results is an ongoing uphill battle. In fact, it is the survival of the fittest among similar businesses within your sector and locale. Google, in particular, has its own unique ways and proprietary algorithms to identify which websites they favor to rank first. And time after time, this set of parameters is consistently changing too, which can be overwhelming.
So, how can you keep up with all the changes Google has been implementing? While following some of the best local SEO disciplines is a great step, you can focus on your website and make it more compelling by adding new images that contain geotagging information.
Continue reading to learn more about geotagging. In this blog, discover its benefits, how to geotag your photos correctly, and its influence on your other campaigns.
What is Geotagging?
The process of adding accurate global positioning data, like accurate latitude and longitude, to a certain image or website found online is called geotagging.
This process is the most common way to integrate location-specific data on your website, typically by adding some information to specific images and photos. Your website visitors cannot see this information, but the search engines can. Google can read, catalog, and assess the “hidden” information as it crawls to your entire website, looking for any data.
Geotagging is not new anymore. In fact, it has been around for over a decade and has been a critical pillar in website development and now in local SEO. Its importance is continuously growing and expanding, and this sophisticated process has moved from being a novelty to a necessity.
The Benefits of Geotagging
Geotagging lets you put all important information in a single place, with a photo, which positively affects your local ranking. We break down some of its top benefits.
1. Increase search engine scores
The location information on the images you place on your web pages will signal Google. With add-on location details on the image, the search engine can trace it and verify if your business is indeed in the physical location.
Websites with images and additional information will increase search engine scores and ultimately rank higher.
2. Top image searches
Do you know that you can do a Google search using images? And most people online prefer a quick image search to the usual search method. Images are not only useful in making your content more accessible and engaging, but they are also crucial for your SEO. Understanding the basics of image optimization (which we will cite several key points below) will make your photos effectively geotagged and give your business a great opportunity to succeed in local ranking.
Make sure all your images are clear, well-optimized, and geotagged. Only then will your business come up first in the image search.
3. Opportunities to Add Metadata
Metadata refers to the data that is the core of what search engines like Google use in their algorithms. Metadata helps in determining ranking and search results. With geotagged images on your web page, a boost in ranking will happen from time to time.
Where Should I Start Geotagging Photos?
There are certain pages on your site that are considered the best place to add geotagged images, and you can choose at least three of your choice.
- The homepage
- Your location page
- Your blog post section
- Your contact page
- Your testimonial page
But if you wanted to add geotagged images on all of these pages, it is still perfectly fine, especially if you want faster results. In fact, doing so can help the most in boosting since repetition is key in optimizing search engine results. For best practice, you can also embed a customized Google map on one of the pages – best to place it in your Contact Page. Adding an embed map can deeply supercharge your current and upcoming SEO efforts. Overall, both geotagged images and embed maps are excellent for your SEO.
Key Points in Image Optimization
If you wonder how to optimize your images to be geotag-ready, we cite some key points you can follow.
- Enable GPS on your images: The GPS feature is now available on all smart devices. So, make sure to enable it when you are snapping images, and doing so will automatically add both the location and geographical coordinates to your photos.
- Right formats, dimensions, and compression: Ensure the image has an accurate format and specification (jpg, jpeg, etc.) When the file is large, you can compress it. Take note that large images can slow down the loading time of a web page. So, always keep them under a certain size, around 100kb.
- Uploading on relevant pages: You must only upload geotagged photos on your ideal sites – where you want your target audience to connect with your brand. We already mentioned these web pages above. (Home page, contact page, blog page, etc.)
- Placing an image: The human eyes are designed to read from left to right, both mentally and physically. Placing a picture on the left side of your page draws the reader’s attention and keeps them on your website.
- Add compelling captions: Captions are necessary as they help website visitors comprehend the images much better. Pay attention to the words you use in the caption. Make sure they are compelling.
- Add alt texts: Alt texts are an alternative text for your image. This will help search engines in locating your images, and it is an important SEO tool. If you submit a picture with alt texts, search engines cannot recognize it.
- Compatible images: With people using different browsers, check that your photos are ideal for all browsers and devices.
Tips on Using Geotagging in Your Other Marketing Campaigns
Now, let’s take a look at how geotagging can benefit your other marketing campaigns:
1. Power up Your Google My Business profile
Ensure your GMB profile is optimized with the right geo-targeted keywords and includes compelling, quality photos with all the important metadata, geotagging, and necessary alt texts. When a user searches for a local or general query, Google can provide results that are relevant to their area. This is mainly because Google (most of the time) has access to the user’s location.
For example, if a user in your area googles “Construction firms,” your GMB profile will show up in seconds.
2. Elevate your Instagram Strategy
You can tag any content you publish and add location-related hashtags. This will make it more visible to people near your area. Also, it boosts your posts’ engagement and will build a stronger connection with your followers.
Instagram has its profile tools and other features you can use. Using the features, you can better understand where your audience is located, how people from multiple areas interact, and what time they are usually active.
Based on the information given, you can gain insights that help you improve your overall Instagram strategy, better target your IG posts, gain more positive business reviews, boost your online presence, and enhance your profile’s efficiency.
3. Better Target Your Facebook Ads
Facebook Ads allow for precise geotagging and offer thorough segmentation based on the location of your target audience. You can target regions, cities, and even entire countries. Depending on your campaign, you can also set up multiple advertisements targeting all of these.
The point is your audience on Facebook, which are your followers, can be diverse. As a result, it can be difficult for you to achieve results that involve real interactions and conversions, and this only means that you have to target the right demographics.
When you geotag your Facebook posts and focus on your ads at a limited distance, the people who engage can be truly interested in your business. In this way, you will not waste your budget on useless likes and vanity metrics; instead, you will achieve better, consistent results.
4. Upgrade your Mobile App Experience
Let’s say you have a mobile app dedicated to your business. You can use this app to deliver a personalized experience to users based on their geo-location. You can send these people limited-time offers, push notifications with useful information, and more. And based on their location history, you can better understand what these people are looking for, whether it is about services or products.
Partner with ConstructionMarketing.io
As you reach this part of the blog, you learn so much about geotagging and its role in your ranking. And if all of this looks complex and overwhelming to you, then you are right and just being reasonable. You can partner with us instead if you are looking for professional assistance that can do the work for you.
A full-service online marketing agency like ConstructionMarketing.io provides your construction business with a one-stop shop for digital marketing and advertising services. Our agency offers a complete suite of customized services, including Local SEO marketing services, Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing, PPC ads, and more.
We also take pride in our team of experts that are multi-skilled, experienced, and adept in all areas of online marketing. Our shared goal is to help construction businesses thrive and succeed in the digital world.