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2021 Consumer Behavior Study: How COVID-19 Shaped Search Discovery, Buying Intent, and Reputation

…Rio SEO’s 2021 Consumer Behavior Study examined how customer shopping behavior is evolving and aligning with the current climate. Shifts in both in-person and online behavior were noticeable across every vertical, and are proving to be long-lasting as the pandemic continues to disrupt nearly every aspect of our lives. To effectively measure the impact of COVID-19 on searching and shopping behaviors, we conducted a survey among 1000+ US-based consumers in order to shed light on: How consumer……tforms are most frequently used as part of the local shopping journey And, how COVID-19 has reshaped the buyer’s journey Recently, we published the results of this study. We assembled a panel of experts to share the most impactful findings from the study and give their expertise around how to apply them to your local marketing strategy to emerge from the pandemic stronger than before. The panel included Rio SEO’s Mick Wilson, Vice President of Client Success, Ryan Weber, Director of Clien…

Local Ranking Factors for 2020: What It Takes to Win the Map Pack

…Connecting with customers at the local level is challenging enough for enterprise and multi-location brands. The Coronavirus pandemic has added an extra layer of uncertainty for local businesses of all kinds—and the customers they serve. Today, customers crave instant answers and accessible information to help them find nearby solutions to their needs. How do you achieve prime positioning in the Map Pack and organic local search, getting in front of these motivated local consumers in their de……ou achieve prime positioning in the Map Pack and organic local search, getting in front of these motivated local consumers in their decision-making moments? In this new infographic, our local search experts share the latest insights and tips to help enterprise brands improve the visibility of each of their locations in this prime online real estate—in the top 3 local search results on Google. This is where you need to be; in the organic listings, as the top 3 positions take 75% of all clicks.…

AI is reshaping local search: Here’s what enterprise brands need to know

…t you can do now Final thoughts If your local search metrics look a little different this year—fewer clicks, fewer calls—you’re not imagining it. Consumer behavior is changing, and the shift is being driven by AI. In our latest analysis of over 233,000 business locations across the U.S., we saw a clear trend: while search visibility on Google remains strong (and in some cases growing), direct consumer actions such as calls, clicks, and direction requests are decreasing acro…

Rio SEO announces integration with new Apple Business Connect API to streamline enterprise listing management

…New tool enables brands to customize the way their information appears across Apple apps Rio SEO, the leading all-in-one local marketing platform proven to increase online visibility for enterprise brands, today announced an integration with Apple Business Connect API. This new integration enables Rio SEO to streamline local listings management for its multi-location clients by maintaining and quickly publishing critical business information and updates to the Apple M…

7 Women in SEO Share Inspirational Stories and Advice

…e of women in American history.” In honor of Women’s History Month, we’ve reached out to influential and successful women who are trailblazers in their careers in digital marketing and SEO. We asked these women to share their personal stories about: How they broke into the digital marketing or SEO industry Any challenges they’ve overcome in their career that could serve as growth opportunities for others Any advice they have for those looking to start a career in SEO Each contri……s became acceptable to debate and discuss. Both good and bad came from a largely tumultuous year, yet as we begin a new year, it’s crucial to continue those tough discussions and bring awareness to them. One of those discussions is women in business, particularly women in SEO, a topic we’ve been interested in tapping deeper into. This discussion felt even more appropriate to surface given March is Women’s History Month. Women’s History Month “commemorates and encourages the study, o…

Post-Pandemic Local Search Insights: Searches Up 155%, Clicks to Site Up 52%

…ks to your website — an important Google My Business conversion metric — are dropping, you’re not alone. This can seem particularly alarming for brands that have transitioned to e-commerce over the course of the pandemic, as lost clicks to site could result in reduced online sales. However, it’s important to bear in mind that 2020 impacted local search data in ways that must be factored into any marketing performance evaluation. Over the past nine months, we’ve tracked month-over-mon…

Leading international luxury hotel and resort chain

…ional luxury hotel and resort chain achieved 30% bookings increase & 98.9% listings accuracy lift with full local SEO treatment. Tools used Local Listings Local Reporting The challenge Capturing the luxury traveler's attention When consumers take to the web to explore their luxury hotel options, it is critical that the information presented to them in search results is accurate and up to date for each hotel location. When consumers take to the web to explore…

Rio SEO and Forsta AI’s New Capabilities Help Organizations Gain Deeper Insights, Anticipate Needs, and Act Decisively

…Forsta has expanded its AI capabilities within the Human Experience (HX) platform, enabling organizations to gain deeper insights, save time, and act decisively to enhance customer and employee experiences. The $500M investment in AI advancements reflects Forsta’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology for actionable results and driving innovation in the customer experience and market research industries. At Rio SEO, we see Forsta’s expanded AI capabilities as a transformative …

Leveraging local reviews for retail brands: expert insights and best practices

…kings in the SERPs Which search results get surfaced The way consumers find and choose your business If a consumer will complete a purchase Local reviews best practices for the retail industry We've asked our experts how retailers specifically can benefit from placing an increased focus on their reputation management strategy, and actionable steps to consider as you progress your reputation management strategy. Here are our reviews best practices for the retail industry. Respond to every revi……The strength of the retail industry cannot be ignored. In fact, total retail sales in the United States were projected to amount to 5.94 trillion in U.S. dollars in 2024, up from around 5.47 trillion U.S. dollars in 2019. While the coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly skewed this projection, it's still clear retailers are critical to fueling the global economy. To continue to build both your brand and trust with customers in an uncertain world, retailers and other businesses alike must focus on……he SERPs Which search results get surfaced The way consumers find and choose your business If a consumer will complete a purchase Local reviews best practices for the retail industry We've asked our experts how retailers specifically can benefit from placing an increased focus on their reputation management strategy, and actionable steps to consider as you progress your reputation management strategy. Here are our reviews best practices for the retail industry. Respond to every review You lik…

Key Holiday Marketing Insights to Consider for 2022

… How can you stand out in this environment where customers are determined to evaluate their options and seek out multiple brands? The value you offer in each searcher interaction is imperative. Ask yourself: Are you creating content for the sake of creating content? Does your content deliver relevant information to the end-user? Is it unique and does it speak directly to users of that platform? Does your content educate, entertain, or engage those who discover it online? A……The last few years have been nothing short of tumultuous for retailer brands. Unexpected closures, confusion around health safety best practices, and a sweeping shift to ecommerce all presented new hurdles. Now that the holiday season is approaching, marketers are wondering, what will holiday shopping look like this season? This year, retailers are set to contend with not only the lingering effects of the pandemic (and all of the consumer behavior changes that came with it) but also a looming re…… this season? This year, retailers are set to contend with not only the lingering effects of the pandemic (and all of the consumer behavior changes that came with it) but also a looming recession. Experts predict that the holiday shopping season ahead will begin early (if not already). They also predict that the inflationary pressure effects of higher prices and fewer orders will persist. And, that inflation rates will outpace U.S. retail sales growth by far. In this post, we’ll explore …

Everything we know about the Google Business Profile performance insights dashboard update

…Everything we know about the Google Business Profile performance insights dashboard update Google will remove several key Google Business Profile performance insights on February 20, 2023. Here is everything you need to know about its upcoming deprecation schedule. What is Google Business Profile Insights? Google Business Profile performance insights (previously known as Google My Business Insights) display data-driven insights that relate to your local search perform…

Getting the Most Out of Google Data Studio: Inside Rio SEO’s Local Manager

…Getting the Most Out of Google Data Studio: Inside Rio SEO’s Local Manager Proving ROI has consistently been named one of the leading challenges marketers face over the last four years. As evolving consumer behaviors have driven increasingly complex and voluminous marketing data, the pursuit of comprehensive reporting has resulted in too many marketing organizations ending up with unmanageable stacks of tools. These point solutions may be great for their specific purpose but often requi…

7 New Consumer Insights to Drive Enterprise Local Holiday Marketing in 2020

… patience for many and may not offer the same leisurely experience as before. In many regions change rooms and washrooms are unavailable, store capacity is limited, and in-store requirements such as mask-wearing and distancing while waiting to checkout are increasing stress and anxiety. Already, by Q2 this year global digital revenues had grown by an unprecedented 71% over the same period in 2019. Concerns over online privacy and data security gave way to fear and legitimate health and safety c……Holiday marketing presents a number of additional considerations this year, one of the most impactful and challenging to navigate being COVID-19. This year may also prompt an early start to the shopping season with only 50 days between Prime Day and Cyber Week. Logistical challenges, particularly around the pressure on last-mile capacity as more consumers purchase online this season, promise to keep retailers on their toes, as well. The Coronavirus pandemic has transformed markets worldwide in …

Rio SEO Partners With Movable Ink to Optimize Customer Experiences by Delivering Relevant, Hyperlocal Content

…Multi-location enterprise brands now have the ability to streamline and improve their local customers’ experience through targeted email and mobile marketing campaigns. Rio SEO and Movable Ink have formed a strategic partnership to further streamline the search experience for their customers by delivering relevant content in email and mobile communications. Rio SEO is the leading provider of an all-in-one local marketing platform proven to increase online visibility. Movable …

Rio SEO partners with movable ink to optimize customer experiences by delivering relevant, hyperlocal content

Yelp Local Business Updates: Health & Safety Information Improvements and More

…esses) In addition, users can now give feedback about safety practices they observe being upheld onsite. They can comment on whether social distancing is being enforced and if your staff is wearing masks. These reviews validate the information provided by the business themselves and helps instill confidence. They also ensure potential customers feel comfortable and know what to expect if and when they visit the location. Resources for businesses Business owners can now access informati……Given that the vast majority of consumers read online reviews before purchasing goods or services, third-party review sites are an important place for brands to build and maintain a strong local presence. And, when it comes to the places local customers search for the social validation of reviews, Yelp is one of the most trusted and popular. With 24 million cumulative reviews across a broad demographic and 90 million users per month, Yelp enables local businesses to reach up to three times mo…

INFOGRAPHIC: How Brands Can Boost Their Local Web Presence

…Your local web presence is a powerful driving force behind business growth. This can be proven by the fact that more than 46% of the searches on Google have local intent. If your brand is not optimized to appear in the local search, you are missing out on the opportunity to convert nearby local customers. To help your brand boost your local presence to rise in the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) and never miss another chance to acquire a new customer, we’ve created the following comprehen…

Why Local Reviews Matter in the Restaurant Industry

…our restaurant at all. How can you ensure consistency in responses to both positive and negative reviews at scale? Who will be responsible for monitoring new reviews, and will that person also tasked with answering each one? When should an issue raised in a review be escalated, and how will your team make use of all of the data these interactions produce, anyway? These are important questions and they are worth getting right. Local reviews are an extension of your customer service chan……Managing reviews for multiple restaurant locations comes with unique challenges. Which begs the question, do local reviews matter in the restaurant industry? What your customers are saying about you is indicative not only of their own experience but can influence whether others are willing to dine with your restaurant at all. How can you ensure consistency in responses to both positive and negative reviews at scale? Who will be responsible for monitoring new reviews, and will that person a…… would be full at peak meal times. Over on Google, reviews are the second-most important Local Pack ranking factor and influence organic local search rankings, as well. We asked enterprise marketing experts to share the importance of reviews for restaurants as well as a few tips to get you prepared for the upcoming holiday season 2020. Here’s what they recommend: Cook up a delicious local listings profile. Your search presence across engines, directories, and networks sets an expectation fo…

How Local Marketing Keywords Are Trending Now by Industry (Part 2)

…As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to prompt store closures and adjustments to business operations, the business world overall has made great strides in understanding its impact on consumer behavior. Google My Business, Yelp, Facebook, and other platforms continue to add new features and attributes to help businesses better communicate key service and operations information to customers (see our list of COVID-19 features for enterprise brands by platform here). In addition to these attribute…

How Local Marketing Keywords Are Trending Now by Industry

… not know quite what the weeks and months ahead may hold, one thing is certain: brands need to be on their real-time listening game more than ever before. Some organizations are even setting up a task force dedicated to proactively planning how the brand will pivot and stay ahead of rapidly changing market conditions. In any case, ensure that your local SEO data is front and center as you work to understand how to meet the needs of customers impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. Learn mor……The Coronavirus pandemic has caused such a massive shift in consumer behavior that brands are not only rethinking their marketing budget, but in many cases their entire strategy. The local marketing keywords you may already be using to describe your services aren’t necessarily the terms consumers think to use when they need to find a product or service today. Although “ecommerce” is a term commonly used in business circles to describe online buying and selling, for example, searches on …