Boost your local business with effective SEO strategies. Learn how to rank higher on Google and social media, build your online presence, and attract more customers with tips from Launch Kit's experts
Running a small business in Grand Rapids, Michigan is a lot like brewing a perfect cup of coffee. It takes time, attention, and the right ingredients. One of those essential ingredients? Local SEO. When people are searching for businesses like yours online, you want to make sure they find you—whether it’s on Google, Instagram, or even TikTok. That’s what we’re here to talk about today: "How to get your business showing up when your ideal customers are looking for your services."
So grab your favorite mug, and let’s dive into why local SEO is crucial for your business—and more importantly, how you can get started today.
Let’s say you’re looking for a service—maybe a “logo designer in Grand Rapids.” What’s the first thing you do? You hop on Google (or sometimes, Instagram) and type it in. The businesses that show up at the top of those results are the ones receiving the most eyeballs therefore likely the most leads, and finally the most customers.
This is what we call organic search discovery. In fact, most people looking for a local service start their journey by typing in a search relevant to their needs. If your business doesn’t show up when they’re searching for keywords like “web design Grand Rapids” or “social media management Michigan,” you’re missing out on one of the easiest ways to get in front of customers who are already in buying mode. Showing up in those results increases your exposure and gets more eyes—and leads—on your business.
Now that we’ve established the why, let’s talk about the how. You might be thinking, "Sounds great, but how do I make sure my business actually shows up in those search results?"
The truth is, there’s no magic button to press that guarantees your website will land at the top of Google. It’s a game of strategy, and we play it by making smart moves. Here's the SEO playbook we use at Launch Kit to help small businesses in Grand Rapids build their online presence.
When we talk about SEO, most people think only about Google, but social media is a major player in local SEO too. People are using platforms like Instagram and TikTok as search engines—so if your social media presence isn’t active and engaging, you’re missing another big opportunity.
Here’s an example. Imagine you're looking for a videographer in Grand Rapids. You check out two companies:
Which business do you feel more confident in? Chances are, Company A feels more trustworthy and engaging.
Consistent, high-quality content is hard to pull off—and that’s why so many of your competitors are failing at it. If you can succeed here, you’ll stand out.
At Launch Kit, we help local businesses like yours build a strong social media presence through regular photo and video content creation. Every month, we meet with our clients to go over last month’s results and plan the content for the next. We’re not just posting to post—we’re creating meaningful content that resonates with your audience.
Ready to roll up your sleeves and start building your business’s online presence? Here’s what you can do right now:
And if any of these steps sound like a heavy lift, don’t worry—we’ve got your back. You can always send me an email at kevin@launchkitdesign.com, and we’ll help you get started.
If you take one thing away from this article, it’s this: local SEO isn’t a quick fix. It’s a long-term play for building a solid online foundation for your business. It’s a lot like going to the gym. Those who show up consistently and pay attention to their form are the ones who win in the long run.
At Launch Kit, we’re here to partner with small businesses like yours, helping you grow through photo/video content, social media, digital advertising, and website design. Let’s build something great together.
Ready to get started? Reach out to our team, and let’s chat about what we can do to help your business show up when it matters most.
Each year, we take a fresh look at the various marketing efforts a small business can make. We've built this framework to get started optimizing your business's online presence.
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