Local SEO for Saskatoon: 9 Tips to Put Your Business on the Map
“Getting found online isn’t a one-time job; it’s a journey. Keep showing up, keep improving, and watch your local impact grow” - ---Seth Godin
If you’re a business owner in Saskatoon and you’re not showing up on Google, well…we’ve got a problem. Because these days, people are looking for local businesses online first. And if they don’t see your name come up, they’re heading to the guy who does.
So let’s fix that. Local SEO is your friend here, and while it might sound like tech jargon, it’s just about making sure people around town can actually find you online. The good news? Local SEO isn’t as hard as it sounds. I’ll walk you through everything, step-by-step, with simple actions you can take to get your business in front of the right eyes.
With that said, here are 9 tips to get your business seen on Saskatoon’s map.
1. Get Your Google Business Profile Set Up
If you haven’t already set up a Google Business Profile, you’re missing out. Seriously. When people search for businesses near them, Google Maps and Google Business Profiles are the first things they see. Think of it like this: 86% of people are searching on Google Maps to find local spots. If you’re not there, they’re probably going somewhere else.
What to Do:
Claim Your Profile: Go to Google Business Profile and claim your business listing. It’s free, and it’s easy.
Fill It Out Completely: Add every detail you can—business name, address, phone number, hours, website. Google favors complete profiles.
Choose Relevant Categories: Be specific. If you’re a bakery, choose “bakery,” but add “café” if you serve coffee. Categories help people know exactly what to expect.
2. Work the Right Local Keywords
Alright, keywords are like breadcrumbs. They lead customers straight to you if you choose them right. Think about what locals might search for: “Saskatoon pizza delivery” or “best plumber in Saskatoon.” Those are your keywords.
How to Find the Best Keywords:
Combine What You Do with “Saskatoon”: Make it simple. Add your service to the location.
Use Tools Like Semrush and RankingCoach: Type in some guesses, and these tools will show you similar phrases. RankingCoach even suggests keywords specific to Saskatoon—super helpful.
Check Out the Competition: Take a peek at what other businesses are doing. What words are they using? You don’t have to reinvent the wheel here.
3. Optimize Your Website for Local Searches
Your website is your digital storefront. When visitors “step inside,” they should immediately see relevant info. To help Google understand what you offer, add local keywords like “Saskatoon bakery” or “local Saskatoon plumber” in key spots. Here’s how:
How to Optimize:
Title Tags and Meta Descriptions: Use local keywords in each page’s title and meta description to clarify what you offer and where.
Headings: Include keywords in your headings naturally. Instead of “Our Bakery,” try “Best Bakery in Saskatoon.”
Content: Write naturally, mentioning Saskatoon and your services throughout. Let visitors—and search engines—know you’re a local business.
These simple tweaks help your site show up in local searches, getting you in front of nearby customers.
4. Get Listed in Local Directories
Local directories are like little endorsements across the web. The more places that mention your business’s name, address, and phone number, the more Google trusts you.
Where to Get Listed:
Standard Directories: Think Yelp, Yellow Pages, and FourSquare.
Industry-Specific Sites: If you’re in hospitality, get on TripAdvisor. Trades? Look for niche sites related to your line of work.
Local Saskatoon Listings: Check out Saskatoon business directories or local business groups.
5. Gather Reviews
Reviews are like gold. They’re proof that people trust your business, and they play a huge role in helping you stand out online. Not only do reviews make your business more appealing to potential customers, but they also show Google that your business is reliable, which can boost your rankings. Essentially, more (and better) reviews mean more clicks, more credibility, and more new business.
How to Get Reviews:
Ask for Them: Don’t hesitate to ask happy customers to leave a review! A simple follow-up email or a friendly in-person request after a successful service can work wonders. Many people are willing to help out with a review if asked.
Respond to All Reviews: Thank those who leave positive reviews, and take time to address any negative feedback professionally. Show appreciation for all feedback, and use it to improve where needed. Google notices when businesses are responsive, which can work in your favor.
Showcase Reviews: Display some of your top reviews on your website and social media profiles. Positive reviews give new visitors instant social proof and can help them trust your business faster.
In short, reviews don’t just help you rank higher—they establish your reputation and invite more customers to try you out.
6. Make Sure Your Website Is Mobile-Friendly :)
More people are browsing on their phones than on desktops these days, which means your website needs to look good and work well on smaller screens. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, it’s likely going to look clunky and hard to navigate on a phone, making people frustrated and likely to leave. Mobile-friendliness affects not only user experience but also your search rankings—Google actually prioritizes mobile-friendly sites in search results.
To get started, use Google’s Chrome Lighthouse tool. It’s free and easy to use, and it’ll tell you exactly where your site may need some tweaks to look and perform better on mobile devices. But there’s more to a mobile-friendly site than passing a test. Here are a few essentials that’ll help you get the most out of mobile traffic.
Mobile-Friendly Essentials:
Quick Loading Time: Compress images and avoid large files. Faster load times keep visitors on your site.
Simple Navigation: Menus should be easy to tap without zooming. Consider using a “hamburger menu” for a clean look.
Readable Text and Tap-Friendly Buttons: Make text large enough to read without zooming, and buttons big enough to tap comfortably.
Clickable Contact Options: Ensure phone numbers and addresses are clickable for quick access to calls or directions.
Minimize Pop-Ups: Avoid pop-ups on mobile, as they can be hard to close and frustrate users
Mobile-First Design: Design key elements with mobile in mind. Highlight important info, like hours and contact details, right up front.
A mobile-friendly site isn’t just Google-friendly—it makes it easier for visitors to connect with you and become customers.
7. Use AI Tools to Keep Ahead of the Competition
Now we’re stepping into the big leagues. AI tools like Semrush and RankingCoach can give you a serious edge by helping you track competitors, pick the best keywords, and see where you stand in the rankings.
How to Use These Tools:
Semrush: Discover keywords, track your rankings, and check out competitors’ top keywords.
RankingCoach: This one’s great for small businesses. It provides step-by-step local SEO guidance specific to your city.
Pro Tip: Businesses that track their SEO with tools like Semrush see results up to 30% faster than those who don’t.
8. Monitor What Your Competitors Are Doing
Keeping an eye on your competition isn’t sneaky; it’s just smart. Learning what similar businesses are up to in Saskatoon can give you a huge advantage. You’re not copying their playbook—just using it to inspire your own moves and to help you figure out where you can improve. Watching the competition can highlight opportunities you hadn’t considered and reveal what local customers really respond to. Here’s how to get insights from your competition:
Things to Watch For:
Keywords: Which keywords are your competitors targeting? Check their website’s titles and descriptions.
How to Find & Analyze Competitor Keywords - Semrush
Review Strategy: Are they getting more reviews? If so, how are they asking for them? You can learn from their approach.
Social Media Activity: See what they’re posting on social media. Popular posts can give you ideas for your own content.
9. Track Your Progress and Adjust as Needed
SEO isn’t something you can set and forget. It’s an ongoing process that requires regular check-ins to see what’s working—and what’s not. By tracking your progress, you’ll learn which strategies bring in visitors and which might need improvement. Regular adjustments can help you keep up with changing trends, audience preferences, and Google’s algorithm updates, ensuring your business stays visible.
How to Track SEO Progress:
Google Analytics: See where visitors come from, which pages they visit, and how long they stay. This helps identify what’s resonating with your audience.
Google Search Console: Check which keywords drive traffic and which pages rank highest. Use this to focus on what’s working.
Did You Know? Businesses that consistently track and adjust their SEO see 60% more growth in traffic.
Wrapping It Up
So there you have it—a straightforward guide to getting your Saskatoon business on the local map. It might take a little time, but believe me, it’s worth the effort. Start by setting up that Google Business Profile, work those local keywords, and keep an eye on the competition. Before you know it, you’ll be pulling in more local customers than ever.
Now get out there and make it happen!
