Local SEO for Accountants
Local SEO for Accountants, CPA Accounting Firms, Tax Professionals, and Bookkeeping Firms
Learn why local SEO differs from traditional SEO—and why accounting practices should pay attention.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing a website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for specific keywords or phrases. SEO can be broadly categorized into two types: local SEO and global SEO. Local SEO is the process of optimizing a website to rank for keywords and phrases that are geographically specific. On the other hand, global SEO is the process of optimizing a website to rank for keywords and phrases that are not geographically specific.
For accounting firms, local SEO is crucial as they primarily serve a local client base. Local SEO helps accounting firms to attract potential clients within their geographical area, who are more likely to avail of their services. By optimizing their website for local search, accounting firms can appear in local business listings, map results, and local packs, making it easier for their target audience to find them.
Learn why local SEO differs from traditional SEO—and why accounting practices should pay attention
Local SEO for Accountants vs. Traditional SEO for Accountants
Local SEO vs. Traditional SEO
Contrary to what some businesses may think, local SEO is vastly different from traditional SEO. And accounting firms should pay attention to local seo for accountants —as what they do (or don’t do) with their local SEO will make a big difference in their search engine results.
For example, local accounting, CPA, bookkeeping, tax, and business advisory businesses must rank in their local markets for keywords and search terms. Ranking for search results from outside their local markets is irrelevant, as the goal is to get in front of the eyes of their local target market.
Local SEO for Accountants
vs Traditional SEO
Local accounting, bookkeeping, tax, or advisory firms shouldn’t focus on traditional SEO strategies. Instead, they will get better, more focused results with local SEO strategies.
Local SEO Priorities for Accounting, Tax, Bookkeeping or Advisory Firms
1. Set Up Google Business Profile - and Optimize It
For local accounting, bookkeeping, tax, and advisory firms, the very first thing to do is to make sure that their Google My Business (and Bing for Business) listings are setup. If you do not already have a Google My Business (GMB) or Bing for Business listing take the time to request and verify your listing.
If you do have a GMB listing, make sure that it is complete. Often businesses will set up a GMB listing for their business but they fail to make sure it is complete.
Google Business Profile (GBP) Checklist for Accounting Firms
Review your GBP listing to make sure that the following have all been completed and are up-to-date:
2. Incorporate Location-Based Keywords Into Your Website Content
Incorporate Location-Based Keywords
The first strategy small businesses should pay attention to is incorporating location-based keywords. These geographical keywords will help search engines locate the business and serve it to the local market that is searching for those services.
For example, if the top keyword is "accountant" than the local searches would be,
accountant in [my city/county/region], [my city/county/region] accountant, etc.
Using these location/municipality-specific keywords helps accountants get seen by users that are relevant.
The 50 Best Keywords for Accountants
Keyword, Monthly searches, Difficulty
| accountant | 65,000 | Low |
| CPA | 135,000 | Low |
| bookkeeping | 60,500 | Medium |
| Quickbooks self-employed | 40,500 | Medium |
| Intuit Quickbooks | 33,100 | Medium |
| CPA near me | 33,100 | Medium |
| accountants near me | 27,100 | Medium |
| forensic accounting | 18,100 | Medium |
| waveapps | 14,800 | Low |
| general ledger | 14,800 | Low |
| accrual accounting | 14,800 | Low |
| Quickbooks payroll | 18,100 | Medium |
| financial accounting | 9,900 | Low |
| tax accountant | 14,800 | Low |
| cost accounting | 8,100 | Low |
| managerial accounting | 9,900 | Low |
| tax accountant near me | 12,100 | Medium |
| accounting firms | 9,900 | Low |
| reddit accounting | 12,100 | Low |
| accounting services | 9,900 | Low |
| bookkeeping services | 8,100 | Medium |
| certified public accountants | 6,600 | Low |
| my tax account | 5,400 | Low |
| IFRS 16 | 4,400 | Low |
| Quickbooks Enterprise | 6,600 | High |
| basic accounting | 4,400 | Low |
| capital account | 4,400 | Low |
| iasb | 3,600 | Low |
| Quickbooks 2019 | 6,600 | High |
| IFRS 15 | 2,900 | Low |
| small business accounting | 6,600 | Medium |
| Quickbooks Proadvisor | 6,600 | Low |
| CPA firm | 5,400 | Low |
| reconciliation accounting | 6,600 | Low |
| capital lease | 4,400 | Low |
| Quickbooks Accountant | 5,400 | High |
| accounting firms near me | 3,600 | Low |
| fund accounting | 2,900 | Low |
| accounting profit | 2,900 | Low |
| Contra Account | 2,900 | Low |
| Quickbooks Pro | 3,600 | High |
| tax advisor near me | 3,600 | Medium |
| public accounting | 2,900 | Low |
| cpa accounting | 3,600 | Low |
| Quickbooks Pricing | 3,600 | Medium |
| general ledger accounting | 2,900 | Low |
| my IRS account | 4,400 | Low |
| Quickbooks premier | 2,900 | High |
| divorce financial planner | 720 | Medium |
| edward jones financial | 590 | Low |
3. Optimize Map Listings
Utilize Maps SEO
80% of internet users own a smartphone—and over half of Google searches on a mobile device are done by people looking for a local business or product.
Google Maps is an essential component of the search results those users see when looking for local businesses, making it a non-negotiable for small businesses that want to be seen in their market.
Customers will search for terms like, "accounting firm near me" which will automatically query their location on the map.
Make Sure You Use Name, Address & Phone Number Correctly & Consistently
Use NAP Correctly & Consistently
NAP (name, address, and phone number) is information that small local businesses need to make sure is correct and consistent. It is one of the most significant factors in boosting local SEO.
This information optimizes the business’ website and online presence for local search, as Google uses it to create confidence in the accuracy of the business information.
When information for a business is consistent across the web, this helps search engines in retrieving local results for geo-targeted searches. This, in turn, boosts search ranking position.
Make sure that your NAP is consistent across all platforms - your own website, your Google My Business listing, your maps listing, how you show up on other directories or websites.
4. Understand Your Local Competitors
Understand Your Local Competitors
Researching your local competition is important for local SEO, as it will give you a benchmark for comparison. Some useful information to research on your competition:
- What keywords they’re trying to rank for
- What their top ranking content and keywords are
- What their backlinks and referral traffic look like
Understanding who your local competitors are and how they perform will help you identify areas your business can improve, as well as identify ideas for content and keywords.
5. Use Relevant Listings, Directories and Citations
Use Relevant Citations
A local citation is a mention online of the name, address, and phone number of your business. These citations can exist on social media platforms, local business directories, websites, and apps.
Citations account for approximately 13% of how search engines will rank your business in local searches, making them an important part of boosting local SEO. Having the right citations—ones that are relevant to your industry and region—will help boost your local SEO.
Related Resources - Citations for Accountants
Optimize for Local SEO and Start Attracting More Local Clients to Your Accounting Firm
In summary, local SEO is a critical component of SEO for accounting firms as it helps them to attract potential clients within their geographical area. By optimizing their website for local search, accounting firms can appear in local business listings, map results, and local packs, making it easier for their target audience to find them. By focusing on location-specific keywords and optimizing their GMB profile, accounting firms can significantly improve their local SEO and attract more local clients.
Looking For Help?
At Fixyr we believe that "one-size-fits-all" marketing is the enemy, that you need strategy before tactics, and that the best path to success is through a results-focused marketing plan built just for you.
Step 1
Review
Your SEO
Contact us and we'll review your performance and objectives
Step 2
Fix
Your SEO
Our Experts will develop a custom strategy and roadmap just for you
Step 3
Follow
Your SEO Roadmap...
and Watch Your Business Thrive!
Build Your Presence Online
Build Your Presence Online
