As an accountant, office manager of an accounting firm, or a self-employed CPA (Certified Public Accountant), your day is already packed. Between managing client accounts, filing taxes, and juggling financial reports, the last thing you want to do is dive into the deep waters of Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization). But here’s the kicker: if your business isn’t showing up in local searches, your competitors are getting all the attention (and clients!). Let’s walk through how you can optimize your local SEO, improve your online presence, and, most importantly, attract more clients—without getting overwhelmed by technical jargon. Trust me, this won’t feel like doing taxes!
1. Google Business Profile: Your Digital Business Card
Think of your Google Business Profile (GBP) as your digital business card, but way more powerful. When clients search for accountants in their area, this is often the first thing they see. And guess what? If your profile is complete and optimized, customers are 2.7 times more likely to think you’re trustworthy. That’s pretty huge, right?
- Fill Out Everything: Don’t skip any fields—your address, phone number, business hours, and services should all be there. Add a short, punchy description of what you do. For example, “Helping small businesses in [city] manage their taxes, payroll, and accounting with zero headaches.”
- Add Photos: Pictures of your office or even your team in action make you look more approachable. And let’s be honest, accounting sometimes gets a reputation for being a bit dry, so visuals help break that stereotype.
- Gather Reviews: Positive reviews boost your credibility. Ask happy clients to leave feedback. A complete profile with glowing reviews can make potential customers 70% more likely to visit your office and 50% more likely to book your services. Pro Tip: Keep everything consistent. Your name, address, and phone number (also called NAP) should be the same across all platforms (website, Google, social media). Google likes consistency—it’s like finding all your receipts neatly organized for tax season.
Curious how to increase the engagement on your Google Business Profile? We share our insights with you!
2. Local Keywords: Speak Your Client's Language
When someone searches for an accountant in their area, they’re using specific phrases like “CPA near me” or “small business tax help in [city].” These are your keywords, and they’re essential to making sure your firm shows up in those searches.
- Be Specific: Use location-based keywords that align with what your clients are searching for. Instead of just “accounting services,” try “tax accountant for small businesses in [city].” The more specific, the better.
- Long-Tail Keywords: These are longer, more detailed phrases people use when they’re close to hiring someone. For example, “affordable tax preparation for freelancers in [city].” This type of keyword is your secret weapon to landing clients ready to commit. Real-World Example: One of my clients used to rank for just “accounting services.” We added local terms like “bookkeeping services in [city]” to their description and Google Posts and saw their Google Business Profile rankings spike within a few months. It was like flipping a switch!
3. Create Locally Relevant Content
If you want Google to see you as an authority, you’ve got to create content that speaks to local issues. Think of it this way: the more helpful your content is to people in your area, the more Google will love you for it.
- Blog Posts: Write about topics that matter to your clients. For example, explain how recent state tax changes will affect small businesses in your area, or share bookkeeping tips for freelancers in your city. This positions you as the local expert.
- Case Studies: Share stories about how you’ve helped local clients. Did you save a small business from a tax nightmare? Help a freelancer avoid an IRS audit? These real-life examples build trust. Humor Break: Let’s be honest—nobody really enjoys reading about tax law, but if you sprinkle in a bit of humor or make your content super practical, clients will actually want to read it.
Also interesting: How to generate more organic visits to your Google Business Profile?
4. Citations: The More, The Merrier
Citations are online mentions of your business on other websites. Think of them like digital breadcrumbs leading people (and search engines) back to you. But here’s the catch: they need to be consistent.
- Directories Matter: Make sure your business is listed in reputable directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, or local business directories. The more places that mention your business, the better.
- Consistency is Key: Your business name, address, and phone number should match exactly across all platforms. Small differences (like “123 Elm Street” vs. “123 Elm St.”) can confuse search engines and lower your ranking.
5. Online Reviews: Your Digital Word-of-Mouth
Reviews are the digital version of word-of-mouth recommendations, and they’re powerful. The more positive reviews your business has, the higher you’ll rank in local searches.
- Ask for Reviews: Don’t be afraid to ask clients for reviews. Most happy clients will gladly leave one, but they often forget if not reminded. An email with a polite request and a link to your Google profile works wonders.
- Respond to All Reviews: Whether positive or negative, always respond to reviews. A thoughtful, professional response shows potential clients that you care. And yes, even if the review is bad, your response can turn it around.
Learn more about automatic and efficient review management!
6. Analyze Your Competition
Sometimes, the best way to improve is to see what your competitors are doing. Look at the top-ranking accountants in your area. What keywords are they using? What types of content are they posting?
- Find Gaps: If a competitor is ranking well for “tax services in [city],” maybe they haven’t covered “freelancer tax help” yet. That’s your opportunity! Fill in the gaps and create content they’ve missed.
- Backlinks Matter: See where they’re getting mentioned or linked from. Local chambers of commerce or business associations are often great places to get a backlink, which can boost your own ranking.
7. Backlinks: Your Local SEO Booster
A backlink is when another website links to yours, and they’re a huge part of building authority in Google’s eyes. The more local websites that link to your site, the more trustworthy you seem.
- Partner with Local Businesses: Team up with other local businesses or service providers. For example, a local law firm could link to your site as their go-to accountant for tax issues, and you could do the same for them.
- Sponsorships: Sponsor a local event or charity, and often you’ll get a mention (and a link!) on their website. It’s great for exposure and for boosting your local SEO.
Also really interesting to learn about: 4 link building tips to double down your local SEO search visibility
8. Track and Measure Your Results
What good is all this work if you don’t know what’s paying off? Track your results to see how well your local SEO efforts are working.
- Use Google Analytics: This tool can tell you where your website traffic is coming from, what keywords are driving people to your site, and how visitors are interacting with your content.
- Conversion Tracking: Track how many website visitors turn into actual clients. If your traffic is high but your conversion rate is low, it might be time to tweak your messaging or calls to action.
9. Social Media: Be the Local Expert
Social media might not directly impact SEO, but it helps build your brand. Posting regularly about tax tips, financial advice, or changes in local tax laws keeps you top of mind.
- Local Content Wins: Share updates or posts that affect your community, like changes in local tax regulations or financial deadlines. If your content is useful, people will share it, driving more traffic to your site.
10. Mobile Optimization: Don’t Get Left Behind
More than half of local searches are done on mobile devices. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re losing potential clients.
- Responsive Design: Your website should look good and work smoothly on phones and tablets. Test it out yourself—if it’s hard to navigate, clients will leave.
Wrap-Up: Local SEO Made Simple
Getting your accounting firm to rank higher in local searches doesn’t have to be a headache. Focus on optimizing your Google Business Profile, using the right local keywords, gathering reviews, and creating content that speaks directly to your community. It’s not about being everywhere—it’s about being where it matters.
Local SEO is like investing in a long-term client relationship. It takes time, but the returns are worth it. Follow these steps, and you’ll start seeing more calls, more clients, and—yes—even a little less stress during the upcoming tax season.
Curious how we can automate all the important local SEO tasks for you? Not only that, our local SEO experts identify gaps that can allow you to gain new clients in your immediate area!
