When a potential customer in Accra searches for “beauty salon near me” or “web developer Accra”, does your business show up? If not, you're losing customers to competitors who have invested in local SEO.
Local SEO is the process of optimising your online presence so that your business appears in Google search results when people in your area are looking for the services you offer. In Ghana, where word‑of‑mouth is still king, showing up on Google Maps can be a game‑changer.
Over 70% of Ghanaians use Google to find businesses. Most of them include location terms like "Accra" or "Tema" in their search. If you're not on the first page, you might as well be invisible.
Step 1: Claim & Optimise Your Google Business Profile
This is the most important thing you can do. Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is what appears in the local pack and on Google Maps.
- Go to business.google.com and claim your listing.
- Fill in everything – address, phone number, website, business hours, category, and a description.
- Add high‑quality photos of your premises, products, and team.
- Ask your customers to leave reviews. Respond to every review, good or bad.
- Keep your hours updated, especially during holidays.
Pro tip: Use a local Ghanaian phone number and make sure your address is exactly the same across your website and all listings.
Step 2: Optimise Your Website for Local Keywords
Your website should include local search terms naturally. For example, if you're a restaurant in Osu, use phrases like “restaurant in Osu Accra”, “best grilled tilapia in Osu”, etc. Place these in:
- Page titles and meta descriptions
- Heading tags (H1, H2)
- Your About Us and Services pages
- The footer (e.g., “Proudly serving Accra, Tema, and Kumasi”)
Step 3: Create Location‑Specific Pages
If you serve multiple areas, create separate pages for each. For instance, “Web Design in Accra”, “Web Design in Kumasi”, etc. Each page should have unique content, testimonials from that area, and local imagery. This helps Google understand your geographic relevance.
Step 4: Build Local Citations & Backlinks
Citations are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number on other websites. Get listed in Ghanaian business directories like:
- GhanaWeb Business
- BizGhana
- Yellow Pages Ghana
- Local chamber of commerce sites
Also, aim for backlinks from local news sites, blogs, or partner businesses. For example, if you sponsor a local event, ask the organiser to link to your site.
Step 5: Encourage & Manage Reviews
Reviews are a massive ranking factor for local SEO. Positive reviews also build trust. After a customer is happy, send them a direct link to leave a Google review. Even a few 5‑star reviews can push you above competitors. Respond to every review with a thank‑you; it shows you care.
Step 6: Make Your Site Mobile‑Friendly & Fast
Most Ghanaians access the internet via mobile phones. Google prioritises mobile‑friendly sites in local search results. Also, page speed matters – a slow site will drop in rankings. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to test and improve.
At SamzyDigital, all our websites are built with mobile‑first design and optimised for Ghana's network conditions.
Step 7: Use Local Structured Data (Schema Markup)
Schema markup is code that helps search engines understand your business details. Add LocalBusiness schema to your site with your address, phone, opening hours, and reviews. This can make your listing appear richer in search results. If you're not technical, your web developer can handle this.
Case Study: How Ram's Beauty Salon Climbed Google Maps
Before we built their website, Ram's Beauty Salon didn't appear on Google at all. After implementing the steps above – a Google Business Profile, local keywords, and a handful of reviews – they started showing up in the top three results for “beauty salon East Legon”. Their bookings increased by 200% in three months.