SEO by location is a strategy that focuses on optimizing a website for local searches. In this article, we will discuss SEO by location in Hickory County, Missouri, United States.

Hickory County is located in the central part of Missouri and has a population of approximately 9,500 people. The county seat is located in Hermitage, and other notable towns include Wheatland and Weaubleau. Hickory County is known for its beautiful lakes and outdoor recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and camping.

SEO by location can be an effective strategy for businesses that operate within a specific geographic area. For example, if you own a business that provides services or products to customers in Hickory County or surrounding areas such as Polk County or Benton County, then optimizing your website for local searches can help you reach potential customers who are searching for your products or services online.

Here are some tips on how to optimize your website for local searches in Hickory County:

1. Claim Your Google My Business Listing

Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool provided by Google that allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google's platforms including search results pages and maps. By claiming your GMB listing and verifying your business information such as name, address, phone number (NAP), hours of operation etc., you can increase the visibility of your business on Google's platforms when someone searches for keywords related to your business.

To claim your GMB listing:

- Go to google.com/business
- Sign up with an existing Google account or create one if you don't have one already
- Enter the name of your business
- Enter the address where customers can find you
- Choose the category that best describes what type of business you have
- Add photos/videos/360-degree virtual tours of your business
- Verify your listing by phone, email, or postcard

Once you have claimed and verified your GMB listing, make sure to keep it up-to-date with accurate information such as hours of operation, special offers, and events.

2. Optimize Your Website for Local Keywords

Keyword research is an essential part of SEO. By researching the keywords that people in Hickory County are using to search for products or services related to your business, you can optimize your website's content to rank higher in local search results.

To conduct keyword research:

- Use Google's Keyword Planner tool (https://ads.google.com/home/tools/keyword-planner/) to find relevant keywords related to your business
- Use Google Trends (https://trends.google.com/trends/) to see how popular certain keywords are over time
- Analyze the websites of competitors who rank high in local search results and see what keywords they are targeting

Once you have identified the relevant local keywords for your business, make sure to include them in the following elements on your website:

- Page titles
- Meta descriptions
- Header tags (H1-H6)
- Body copy
- Image alt tags

However, don't overuse these keywords as it can lead to keyword stuffing which is a black hat SEO technique that can result in penalties from search engines.

3. Build Local Citations

A citation is any mention of a business's name, address or phone number (NAP) on other websites such as directories or social media platforms. Building local citations can help improve the visibility of a business on local search results pages.

To build local citations:

- List your business on online directories such as Yelp, Yellow Pages etc.
- Create social media profiles for your business on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
- Ensure that all NAP information is consistent across all listings.

4. Get Reviews from Customers

Online reviews are an important factor in local search rankings. Positive reviews can help improve a business's visibility on local search results pages and attract more customers.

To get reviews from customers:

- Encourage customers to leave a review on your GMB listing or other online directories.
- Respond to all reviews, both positive and negative, in a professional manner.
- Use customer feedback to improve your products or services.

5. Create Local Content

Creating content that is relevant to the local community can help improve a business's visibility on local search results pages. For example, if you own a restaurant in Hickory County, creating blog posts about the best places to eat in Hickory County or recipes using locally sourced ingredients can help attract potential customers who are searching for these topics online.

To create local content:

- Research topics that are relevant to the local community
- Use keywords related to Hickory County in your content
- Share your content on social media platforms and other online communities

In conclusion, SEO by location is an effective strategy for businesses that operate within a specific geographic area such as Hickory County. By claiming your GMB listing, optimizing your website for local keywords, building citations and getting reviews from customers, creating local content etc., you can increase the visibility of your business on search engine results pages and attract more potential customers who are searching for products or services related to your business.