Do you know more than 97% of users prefer searching for local churches and non-profit organizations online? However, the problem is that more than 1.17 billion websites are available on the internet. How can you ensure a higher ranking of your church website for these local searches?
Admit it or not, we’re living in a digital world. No matter if you’re looking for an electrician or church, your first step is to take your mobile out and do an immediate online search. So, will your church website pop up in the first few results when your local community searches for a religious place?
Unfortunately, having a website is not only enough to show up higher on result pages. Local SEO audits are paramount for optimizing your church site for local searches.
Are you still not ready to do a local SEO audit of your church website? Please keep reading to explore how search engine optimization can boost your site rankings.
Importance of Local SEO for Church Websites
You must be wondering how local SEO audits can boost your church’s growth. Churches and ministries are often funded through community-based programs and donations. So, if the number of churchgoers is decreasing, it is advised to polish your local SEO efforts.
Local search engine optimization involves effective, location-based marketing techniques to bring better online leads to your ministry while improving your church’s credibility, reputation, and visibility.
This may sound like we’re exaggerating things, but that’s not true! Here are some key reasons why you should invest in local SEO to promote your church online:
1. Save Money
Local SEO means you’re primarily focusing on organic searches, which tend to give long-term results. Plus, this approach costs far less than paid search results. You have to spend only a few dollars to acquire new churchgoers who might be interested in funding your ministry.
2. Boost Credibility
When it comes to creating online branding, the reliability and credibility of your church’s website matter the most. Worshippers will be more likely to visit your establishment if your website ranks higher on search results.
Also, prospective members would be more confident to click on your church site if they have not heard about it. This is because the higher search rankings always contribute to your church’s credibility and trustworthiness.
3. Improve Visibility
One of the significant ways local SEO audits can help market your church is by improving your site’s visibility in your targeted areas. That means your target audience can locate your establishment even if it is listed under the first three results on search engines.
Local SEO for Your Church Website
Let’s face it: more than 75% of online consumers do not scroll past the first page of search engines like Google. That means you need to optimize your church’s site to get people to find it easily in local search results.
According to Google, local SEO audits are based only on three factors: prominence, distance, and relevance. So, you need a thoughtful location-based marketing strategy to get the desired results. Here is a complete list of local SEO audits that you need to reach out to your local communities:
- It is advised to ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency to improve your site’s rankings.
- Complete your Google Business Profile (GBP) with the most accurate and updated information; otherwise, it will confuse search engines and hurt your rankings.
- Share positive reviews and testimonials on your church’s site to help Google signal your prominence ranking factor.
- Don’t forget to optimize on-page SEO factors, such as image alt tags, header tags, meta descriptions, and page titles.
- Post original and informative content, such as infographics, articles, blog posts, and how-to guides, to solve the queries of your target audience.
Local Church SEO at Mission Support
So far, you are fully equipped with the essential knowledge about local SEO. But do you have enough time to complete these audits by yourself? As a ministry leader, your time may be better spent organizing church events or interacting with the congregation.
So, it’s better to let the professionals of Mission Support complete the SEO audits of your church website. Click here to learn more about our local church SEO services.