Have you ever wondered how, when you search for the best SEO marketing agency near you, within seconds, a list of recommendations pops up within the vicinity? Well, that’s the magic of local search optimisation. If a business doesn’t show up in the search results, it means the business has to boost its local search rankings. 

Local SEO is the process of optimising your website or local business citation to boost the visibility of your business on different search engines. Whether you run a large consultancy firm or a small grocery outlet, local SEO is important for the audience to find your business at the top of search results. You can hire the best SEO experts in Dubai to tailor local SEO strategies in 2024 according to your business needs. 

Importance of Local SEO for Your Business in the UAE

Due to the high digitisation of businesses in the UAE and the increasing number of consumers relying on mobile and location-based services, local SEO has become popular in Dubai and beyond. Searching for nearby services, whether finding the best seafood restaurant or booking an appointment in the salon, has become very common. Businesses that don’t follow the local SEO trends in 2024 risk losing potential customers who prefer location-specific search results.  

Tourism, hospitality, retail, and healthcare are the major industries that will primarily benefit from local SEO strategies in 2024. For businesses in these niches, appearing on the first page of search results is the ultimate goal, as it can increase their visibility and foot traffic. 

For businesses in the UAE, local optimisation is not just an option that can be ignored; it has become a critical SEO strategy to boost their online presence. 

Top Local SEO Trends in the UAE for 2024

The key to keeping your business ahead of your competitor’s business is to remain visible in search results. Here are the top local SEO trends in 2024 that will keep your business listed on the first page of the search engine.

1. Mobile-First Indexing and User Experience

Mobile is of utmost importance in the UAE. With more citizens and residents using smartphones, Google’s mobile-first indexing has become more important than ever. In this process, Google will prioritise the mobile version of your website when picking rankings. 

To ensure the mobile version of your website is ready to go, you need to ensure it is fast, mobile-friendly and provides a good user experience. A website that loads slowly or has an unresponsive design can reduce your chances of ranking higher in the local search results. 

2. Voice Search Optimisation

Voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, Yasmina, etc., have taken the local SEO citations in the UAE by storm. People prefer asking a search query rather than typing it. To optimise your content for voice search, focus on conversational, long-tail keywords that are relatable to how people speak. To capture these searches, you must make sure your business information is accurate and up to date. 

3. Arabic Language Optimisation

Arabic and English are among the commonly spoken languages in the UAE. Hence, it is important to research Arabic keywords alongside English ones. These help you optimise your content and significantly broaden your reach. Your website will rank higher if you provide content in both languages. This way, your business can also better connect with your Arabic-speaking audience. 

 4. Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE)

The way local search works is changing, all thanks to Google’s AI-powered search generative experience. This search experience makes it easier to understand user’s search queries and provide accurate and personalised results accordingly. This means that businesses have to create relevant and engaging content that addresses customer needs. This can be done by optimising AI-driven searches. 

Top Local SEO Strategies for UAE Businesses in 2024

The local search trend is evolving, and it’s not going to stop soon. Businesses in the UAE must plan local SEO strategies that can bring them to the top of the local search results. Let’s take a look at some of the local seo strategies for 2024. These strategies are designed explicitly for UAE-based businesses. 

1. Optimising Google Business Profile (GBP) for UAE Locations

Google Business Profile(GBP) is a very powerful tool for boosting local search rankings of your business. You can convert the visitors who find you on Google search and maps into customers free of cost. A well-optimised GBP improves visibility and builds credibility with local customers.  Here are some local SEO tips for businesses on how to optimise the GBP to increase local ranking: 

• Ensure your business details, such as name, address, and phone number (NAP), are similar across all platforms. In addition to NAP, you can add business hours and select the appropriate business category. 
• Add high-quality photos of your business. This can enhance your profile and attract more customers. 
• Engage with customer reviews, whether positive or negative. This will show that you value customer feedback and are working on improving your business. 
• Add local keywords to your description and updates to improve local visibility. 

2. Creating Localised Content 

Localised content can help you connect with your community effectively. You can create blog posts or landing pages that address local interest, such as the best shawarma place in your area, winter events taking place in your area, or some area-specific tips. To help Google recognise your business in your community, including local landmarks, city names and regional keywords is a good practice. Here are some types of local content that can perform well: 

• Local news and events to attract community happenings. 
• Reviews from local customers are needed to showcase real-life results and build connections within the community. 
• Guides on local attractions, restaurants, shopping and services to draw local searches. 

3. Building Trust Through Online Reviews in the UAE

Online reviews are of utmost importance in local SEO, especially in the healthcare, hospitality and retail industries. Customer testimonials are often seen as the key deciding factor when choosing a business or service in the locality. Positive feedbacks can improve your search engine rankings and attract more customers. To encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews you can execute the following strategies: 

• Request reviews from customers soon after their purchase. The more reviews your business has, the more likely it is to rank higher in the search results. 
• Offer small offers to the customers who have dropped an online review for your business or service. 
• Direct your customers to GBP or other review sites in follow-up emails or text messages. 

4. UAE-Specific Link Building

Building backlinks is another important component of local SEO in Abu Dhabi and beyond. To create a successful backlink strategy, focus on collaborating with UAE-based influencers/bloggers, media houses, and business directories. You can guest post on local blogs or news websites to boost local authority. Here are some benefits your business can acquire through a link-building strategy: 

• Improves organic ranking on the search engine results pages. 
• Faster search engine indexing helps you increase your Google ranks. 
• Directs quality referral traffic to your website.

5. Focus on Local Keyword Research: 

Increase your research on local keywords to incorporate into your website content and meta descriptions. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs to find high-ranking keywords that potential customers are currently using. For example, instead of targeting “Best Salon”, you can opt for “Best Salon in Abu Dhabi.” Here are why local keywords are important for your business:

• Keywords with location details attract users actively looking for businesses in your area.
• Specific keywords are often less competitive than broad seed keywords, making it easier to rank higher in search results for these terms.
• More specific keywords indicate a user is closer to making a purchase. This can lead to potentially higher conversion rates.

6. Optimise for Mobile Search 

Majority of potential customers use their mobile phones for local searches. This makes it more important to optimise your website for local mobile searches. Here are some local SEO tips for businesses to ensure the website is mobile-friendly: 

• Ensure the website’s loading time is limited. This can be optimised by compressing images, using efficient coding practices, and leveraging browser caching.
• Create a responsive web design to attract customers. 
• Use Google’s mobile-friendly test tools to help you assess and improve your site’s mobile usability. 
• Ensure your site is easy to navigate on a small screen. Use large buttons, clear menus, and avoid clutter to improve usability.

Schema Markup for Local SEO in the UAE

Schema Markup is structured data added to the website code. It provides search engines with specific information about your business, like its address, operating hours, and services offered. By setting up local schema markup, you improve your chances of appearing on Google Maps and Snippets. For businesses in the UAE, this is especially helpful for standing out in competitive markets. 

Staying Ahead of Local SEO in the UAE for 2024

In 2024 and beyond, local SEO is no longer an option; rather, it has been placed as a critical strategy to take your business to the next level. Keeping an eye on local SEO trends and optimising your local SEO strategy accordingly will boost your local search rankings. By applying these strategies for your business online, you will not only stand out in the competitive market but will also build trust among your local audience. 

So what are you waiting for? Start optimising your online presence by: 

• Reviewing your GBP. 
• Gathering customer feedback. 
• Creating UAEspecific content.
• Optimising your website for mobile use
• Focusing on local search keywords 
• Creating backlink content specifically for the UAE audience. 

Continuous efforts in these areas will ensure a strong local presence for your business.