Almost two-thirds of smartphone users are more inclined to make a purchase from businesses that customize location information. Businesses that optimize their local search presences are primed to convert searchers into sales.  

To improve the odds of appearing in local searches, businesses should take full advantage of their Google My Business (GMB) page. When searching locally, Google will display GMB pages before more traditional website links. For example, search for "Chinese restaurant" on your smartphone. Google will display the GMB pages of restaurants that fit that description in the Maps results at the top of your screen. As a business owner, you can leverage your GMB profile to improve your local search visibility and increase potential customers.

As online shopping continues to gain favor with customers, maintaining foot traffic in brick-and-mortar stores is an ongoing challenge for retail brands. Location information offers at least a partial solution to these headaches, leveraging data from shopper smartphones to improve targeting based on geography.

Savvy business owners realize the importance of considering location in their brand marketing strategy.

Here are three actions that any company can take to seize this opportunity and attract local shoppers.