AR and Local SEO: the perfect fit for small businesses
Anyone who used Google at least one time knows that the big G algorithm uses various processes to rank hundreds or thousands of sites in a snap. When users google something, an algorithm provides a list of websites that match their search, which are chosen and ranked based on relevance and popularity.
Getting a good ranking on Google can be challenging for small companies, but this is crucial to make people find them and increase their brand awareness and, of course, sales.
Local SEO can help reach these goals: when users look for keywords and a location, Google suggests the more popular businesses nearby — it’s easy to understand why it is so important to be among the firsts results the algorithm shows.
But let’s start from the beginning: what is Local SEO?
Local SEO is the process of optimizing a business for a search query that is location-specific and helps brands be more visible in local search results on Google.
Considering that AR is using technology to overlay virtual elements (text, images, video) onto the real world, it’s no surprise that this technology is going to change the way we think about local SEO and, of course, help marketers improve their strategy when it comes to geolocation.
Why local SEO is vital for small businesses
Beat the competition of online sellers, like Amazon or big brands, can be hard for local businesses that often don’t have the budget to invest in digital marketing and innovation.
But here comes into play the Augmented Reality and, of course, the Local SEO.
Let’s see all the ways AR can boost Local SEO and help local businesses and SMEs engaging with potential customers.
As the report of LSA Insider stats, the search engines still dominate local search at 80% usage, compared to 48% for social networks, concerning how consumers look for local business information, to the point that local searches are becoming so popular that users are now presuming that their smartphones will automatically find local results.
As we at Aryel always say, AR is already changing the way customers do online shopping, learn or simply interact with brands — here, we collected the ways AR is going to be a game-changer for local SEO and small businesses. Enjoy!
Geo Location
When we explained the various AR types, we mentioned the geolocation (check this article if you need a refresh).
Based on GPS information smartphones collect, this powerful AR trigger starts an AR experience when the user reaches a specific place.
Now, the problem is, developing an app and AR experience costs a fortune, right? Well, not really.
In our latest update, we integrated Aryel, our AR marketing platform, with this kind of trigger so that now every SME or local business can easily create their affordable location-based AR campaign. We know, it’s impressive.
Offline marketing
AR closes the gap between offline and online: we repeated this so often that you probably already know if you had the chance to visit our website or read our previous articles. The thing is, this is true.
Adding a virtual overlay to printed media (such as brochures and so on) can help brands and businesses get a better engagement with customers, thank to the WOW effect and to the fantastic insights platforms like Aryel can provide.
Simply put, your audience can better interact with your local business printed media while you collect analytics about their demographics and habits.
No app needed
The best perk of using WebAR is that you don’t need to develop any expensive app to engage with users online.
Of course, big brands like Ikea or Sephora proved that apps that provide AR experiences can intensify foot traffic and purchases, enhancing the whole customer experience both in stores and from home.
But again, developing a native app it’s first very expensive; secondly, if you’re not a big brand, it’s hard to make people actually download it and use it.
But hey, as always, we have the perfect solution for smaller brands: using Aryel, or WebAR in general, users only need a browser to engage with all your unique AR content so that you can use that budget in a better and more efficient way, while still driving traffic to your store.
Expand your audience
If your store gets a better ranking on Local SEO, this means you will reach a better audience.
AR sparks the wow-effect and provides more information and better insights to organic search users while collecting data and insight into customer behavior. Basically, it’s a win-win situation for both parties.
Adobe, in fact, recently published a survey made on AR app users to see how popular this technology is: with continuously growing numbers, this can be read as a clear indicator that this technology attracts users’ attention and drives them exactly where you need.
An amazing way to do so is with CTA: Aryel helps you reaching your goal allowing you to add Call to Action to every AR campaign — basically, every CMO’s dream!
Content marketing
Last but not least, AR for Local SEO can help businesses to better interact with potential customers.
According to multiple studies, in fact, the pages with better engagement perform better and rank higher in Google. Google wants to show users the most relevant results for their searches, and if a user is spending time on a website instead of going back to Google’s main page to check for another result is a good indicator of that.
Giving your potential customers immersive experiences, such as games & video tutorials, is the best way to retain their attention and bring more traffic to your website or, even better, to your shop or store.
In this article, we’ve seen the four ways AR can help small businesses get a better ranking on Local SEO. This is the ultimate solution to improve SMEs brand awareness and drive potential customers on websites or e-commerce, and also on proper shops.
