After the US, India is the 2nd largest franchise market globally. And 200,000 outlets are operating in all sectors ranging from Foodservice, healthcare, business services, Beauty and wellness, etc. There could be 500+ franchises of the same brands like DMART, Mcdonald’s, KFC, and Domino in Maharastra or Karnataka alone. How would you stand out from the crowd?
The best solution would be to use an SEO strategy for the franchise model Business.
While you have landed here, we are sure you are looking for ways to improve your franchise through local SEO.
But what is the difference between Regular SEO and Franchise Model Business SEO?
Regular SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of optimizing a website or web page to improve its ranking on search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. The goal of regular SEO is to increase organic traffic to a website by improving its visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs).
On the other hand, Franchise model Business SEO is a specialized form of SEO that is specifically designed for franchise businesses. Franchise SEO focuses on optimizing the websites of individual franchise locations while also promoting the overall brand. This can include creating location-specific pages, building local citations, and promoting positive reviews. The goal of franchise SEO is to increase visibility and drive traffic to both the franchise’s website and individual locations.
Regular SEO focuses on targeting a broad set of keywords that are relevant to the business, while franchise model Business SEO targets keywords that are specific to individual franchise locations. Here are some examples of keywords that could be effective for local SEO for a franchise-based business model:
- “McDonald near me”
- “7Heaven franchise location”
- “McDonald’s franchise opportunities”
- “7Heaven franchise for sale”
- “McDonald’s franchise cost”
- “7Heaven franchise business model”
Examples of brands that use Franchise SEO :
- McDonald’s
- Subway
- 7heven
- Any other franchise business like retail, automotive, healthcare, etc.
Examples of brands/services which use Regular SEO:
- Pest Control Services
- Home Inspection Services
- Personal Training Services
- Any other business which doesn’t have multiple physical locations like e-commerce, streaming services, ride-hailing, etc.
Follow these 11 SEO strategies for a franchise business model
Now that you have a clear understanding of both, let’s dive into the proven ways how you can grow your SEO strategy for the franchise model Business in 2024 and stand out from the crowd.
Let’s go!
1. Identifying relevant keywords related to your business is the key
Yes, you heard me right! The first and foremost step in any SEO strategy in building a regular or franchise model Businesses would be searching for relevant keywords for your business. Search for relevant keywords for your franchise that sets you apart from the competition based on locality, city, map, etc. For example “best supermarket franchise in India” or “supermarket franchise in Chennai “
I don’t want you to spend all day racking your brains for the correct keywords, though. You can always use the market’s unique tools, such as Ahrefs and Semrush, which are excellent resources to help you locate the best keywords for your needs. Or, if you think it’s not your forte, then you can always opt for taking the help of an SEO expert that can not only help you locate the right keywords but can also provide you with specific advice on the tactics to use while developing your franchise SEO model.
2. Research on Geographical location for a successful business
Once you have determined the key phrases that are most relevant to your franchise model Business, you can then implement strategies to optimize your online presence for local search. This entails pinpointing the geographical regions that have the highest likelihood of generating business for your franchise and then tailoring your optimization efforts specifically for those areas.
One such powerful tool that can aid in this process is Google Ads. By utilizing its location targeting capability, you can analyze which regions your ads are performing the best in and focus on enhancing your optimization efforts in those regions. Additionally, you can use this feature to identify regions with the greatest potential customer base and target them with your SEO initiatives.
3. Always localize your keyword
We assume you understand the term “localize” from the term itself. For example, if you want to target keywords like “best restaurants near me,” you should also target keywords like “the best restaurant in [city]” or “the best restaurants in [area name].”
This ensures that you are targeting the right group of people you want to attract. Also to boost your visibility and attract new customers, it is beneficial to make sure that your website is ranking for local searches.
And what if you have multiple locations?
Then it becomes even more crucial for you to localize your keyword if you want to attract customers in each area.
4. Utilize local SEO techniques, such as listing your address and phone number prominently on your website.
Local SEO refers to the process of optimizing your website to rank well for search queries that include a specific location, such as “7Heaven franchise near me.” By including your address and phone number prominently on your website and optimizing your website for local keywords, you can make it more likely for people searching for businesses like yours in your area to find your website.
5. Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing.
When it comes to local SEO, listing your business in Google my business listing is a must. By claiming and verifying your GMB listing, you can ensure that your franchise’s information is accurate and up-to-date and that it appears in relevant search results for local customers. For example “7 heven supermarket franchise in Chennai ”.
This can help improve your franchise’s visibility and reputation, and ultimately drive more business to your franchise location.
6. Create high-quality, unique content regularly.
Consistently updating brand messages, visuals, offers, and other information about your business on your website, Google My Business, and social media platforms is super beneficial when it comes to attracting new customers. Moreover, it helps in building loyalty and authority among your existing audience.
Note: Make sure to maintain the quality of the content, it shouldn’t be full of jargon. Instead, try keeping it simple so that people can understand it easily.
7. Online Reviews
Guess everyone knows the power of online reviews. It’s the most powerful weapon every brand in the world uses to market its product or services.
Statistics show nearly nine in ten (88%) customers globally take the time to read reviews before choosing a local business.
Therefore, encouraging customers to leave reviews on platforms such as Google and Facebook not only helps build trust and credibility with search engines but also provides potential customers with valuable insights into the customer experience. For example, Starbucks, a franchise business that sells coffee, encourages customers to leave reviews on their Google My Business listing, which can help them rank better for relevant keywords like “coffee” and “cafe.”
Also, never miss responding to customer reviews, as it shows that you value customer feedback and care about their experience. It also allows you to address any issues that customers may have had and thank them for their support.
8. Having a strong content strategy
Any successful SEO campaign requires a strong content strategy. But you might be wondering what content can be created for local SEO.
If you go to any SEO consultant, they can tell you exactly what you need to do. However, here are a few tips you can include in your content strategy
- Write blog entries with the neighborhood’s residents in mind- you can discuss local news and events. This type of content works best if you want to target a broad audience or if you want to sell your service in that particular geographical location
For example, if you have a salon franchise you can talk about how different change in climate can affect their hair or skin and what can they do about it
- Secondly, If you own a well-known national car brand, you don’t need to create content specifically targeted toward a local audience. Most people will already be familiar with your brand and may view you as a reputable source for information on the automotive industry.
Examples of these types of companies include Ford, Toyota, and BMW. Of course, not every business is as well-known as these, but the principle still applies – companies with a high level of visibility can position themselves as experts in their field.
9. Leverage User Generated Content
Leveraging user-generated content (UGC) is a powerful SEO strategy for building a franchise model. UGC refers to any content that is created by users, such as reviews, comments, photos, and videos, that can be used to promote a business.
There are several benefits to leveraging UGC for franchise model businesses :
- Increases engagement: UGC can help increase engagement on your website and social media platforms, which can lead to more traffic and ultimately more sales.
- Builds trust and credibility: UGC can help build trust and credibility with both search engines and potential customers. For example, if you see a lot of positive reviews and comments from real customers, it’s more likely that you will trust and consider doing business with the franchise.
- Improves SEO: UGC can help improve SEO by providing fresh, relevant content that can be used to target specific keywords and phrases. For example, if a lot of customers are posting photos of your franchise’s signature dish, you can use those photos to target keywords related to that dish.
One example of a franchise business that leverages UGC is Pizza Hut. They have a hashtag campaign on social media platforms where they encourage customers to share photos of their pizzas with the hashtag, which can help increase engagement and build trust and credibility with potential customers.
In summary, leveraging user-generated content is a powerful SEO strategy for the franchise model. It can help increase engagement, build trust and credibility, and improve SEO by providing fresh, relevant content that can be used to target specific keywords and phrases.
10. Use schema markup
Schema markup is a type of code that helps search engines understand the information on a website. It provides additional information about a business or organization that is not visible to users but is easily understood by search engines. By using schema markup, businesses can improve their visibility in search results and provide more accurate and relevant information to users.
For example, let’s consider a supermarket brand, “SuperFresh”. If “SuperFresh” adds schema markup to its website, it can provide search engines with information such as its business name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and other important details. This information will then be displayed in search results, making it easier for customers to find the information they need about “SuperFresh”.
By adding schema markup to your website, you can improve your visibility in local search results and provide customers with more accurate and relevant information about your franchise. This can help attract new customers and increase your franchise’s visibility and reputation.
11. Build backlinks to your website from reputable sources.
Building local backlinks for local ranking can be a little complicated
Hence how do I do that?
One way you can achieve that is by collaborating with your local organization, schools, events, etc. Or you can organize any event where you can provide your services for free in collaboration with localities in exchange for a blog post announcing the sponsorship and linking to you.
Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your website. They are important for SEO because they indicate to search engines that your website is valuable and relevant. To build backlinks, you can reach out to other websites and ask them to link to your website, just make sure you are not asking your competitor to do so. You can go for SEO consulting services once in a while.
For example, McDonald’s can sponsor a local sports team or a community event. This type of involvement can improve your franchise’s reputation and attract new customers to your area.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the tips outlined in this article provide a comprehensive approach to implementing an effective SEO strategy for franchise models. By utilizing these proven methods, businesses can successfully navigate the competitive market. However, it is important to note that consistency is crucial in achieving desired results. If assistance is needed, businesses may consider seeking out resources or taking the help of an SEO expert to ensure optimal performance.
