If you own a laundromat, you're in a unique position where your business primarily targets local customers. In a digital age, attracting these customers isn't just about having a big sign or a convenient location; it's also about having a strong online presence. While there’s a number of laundromat marketing strategies, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is extremely effective, and continues to be a driver for laundromat success. This guide will dive deep into how you can utilize local SEO strategies to attract more customers to your laundromat.

What you’ll learn:

1. Understanding local SEO

2. Google My Business: Your local SEO starting point

3. Gathering reviews for your Google My Business profile

4. On-page local SEO tactics

5. Content strategy for local SEO

6. Measuring laundromat SEO success

Understanding local SEO

In order to effectively create an SEO strategy for your laundromat, it’s important to understand what it is, why we do it, and how SEO differs for local businesses.

What is laundromat SEO?

Local SEO is the practice of optimizing your online presence to attract business from laundromat searches within a specific geographic area. This aims to increase your site's visibility for localized laundromat searches, such as "laundromat near me" or "best laundromat in [your city]."

How is local SEO different from standard SEO?

Unlike Standard SEO, which focuses on improving your website's visibility on a national or global scale, Local SEO targets search queries that are specific to a local area. For instance, it optimizes for search terms like "best laundromat in [your city]."

Why is local SEO helpful for laundromats?

• Local customer base: Laundromats primarily serve people within a small geographical radius. Reaching them online starts with local SEO.

• Mobile searches: A majority of local searches happen on mobile devices, often while the searcher is on the go.

• High conversion: Local searches often lead to higher conversion rates as customers are generally ready to make a purchase.

Google My Business: Your local SEO starting point

Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool that lets you manage how your business appears on Google Search and Maps. If you’ve ever found a coffee shop, gas station, or gym via Google, odds are you viewed their Google My Business listing. Setting up a Google My Business (GMB) profile is a crucial step for any laundromat owner looking to enhance their online visibility. Here's a step-by-step guide to setting up your GMB profile:

Step 1: Sign in or create a Google account

What you'll need

• A valid Google email account

Action steps

1. Navigate to the Google My Business homepage.

2. Click on the "Manage Now" or "Sign In" button.

3. Log in using your existing Google account or create a new one.

Step 2: Enter your laundromat information

What you'll need

• Business name

• Contact number

• Physical address

• Business hours

• Services offered

• Short description

Action steps

1. Once logged in, you’ll be prompted to enter your business name.

2. Follow the on-screen prompts to input your business address, contact information, and any other relevant information.

Step 3: Choose your business category

What you'll need

• Knowledge of your primary services

Action steps

1. You’ll be asked to choose a category that best describes your business.

2. Choose "Laundromat" or a related category that best describes your services.

Step 4: Verify your business

What you'll need

• Access to the business location or a contact method

• Accurate mailing address

Action steps

1. Google will require you to verify your business to ensure accuracy.

2. Verification methods include postcards by mail, phone calls, or email. Choose the one most convenient for you and follow the instructions.

Step 4: Complete your GMB profile

What you'll need

• Business hours

• Photos of your laundromat

• A description of your services

• Question and answers

Action steps

1. Once verified, go back to your GMB dashboard to complete your profile.

2. Add business hours, upload quality photos, and write a compelling description that highlights your services and what sets your laundromat apart.

Completing these steps will give you a fully functional Google My Business profile that enhances your laundromat’s local SEO. From here, you can post updates, respond to customer reviews, and analyze engagement metrics to further improve your online presence.

Next, we’ll learn how to gather reviews for your GMB profile.

Gathering reviews for your Google My Business profile

The power of customer reviews can't be overstated, especially when it comes to local businesses like laundromats. Reviews serve as social proof, helping prospective customers gauge the quality of your services and decide whether to give your laundromat a try. Reviews are also a significant ranking factor in Google My Business (GMB). So, how can you effectively gather reviews for your laundromat's GMB profile? Here's a detailed step-by-step.

Why reviews matter for your laundromat's GMB

Before we delve into strategies, let’s consider why reviews are so crucial:

• Builds trust: Positive reviews can significantly build trust among potential customers.

• Improves local SEO: Google factors in the number and quality of reviews when ranking businesses.

• Feedback mechanism: Reviews can serve as valuable feedback to improve your services.

Strategies to gather reviews

• Ask for reviews in person

  When you know a customer is pleased with your service, don't hesitate to ask for a review. Make it a routine to ask satisfied customers to share their experiences on your GMB profile.

• Use signage and flyers

  Place signs and flyers near the exit or by the folding tables encouraging customers to leave a review. Make sure to include a QR code that directly links to your GMB review page to make the process easier.

• Leverage email marketing

  Send an email to your regular customers requesting them to write a review. Be sure to include an easy-to-find, direct link to your GMB profile. Marketing tools, like Cents Accelerate, make this process easier by having access to a robust email marketing tool.

• Utilize social media

  Use your social media channels to request reviews. Again, provide a direct link and possibly offer a small incentive like a discount on their next visit.

• SMS reminders

  For those who have opted for text updates, a polite SMS asking for a review can work wonders. We recommend you use a marketing automation tool to manage this process.

Tips for maximizing review quality

Make it easy

Provide direct links and QR codes to your GMB review page. The easier you make it, the more likely people will leave a review.

Timing is crucial

Ask for a review shortly after the service has been provided. This is when the customer's memory is fresh, and they are more likely to provide a detailed review.

Respond to reviews

Whether positive or negative, make it a point to respond to all reviews. It not only shows that you value customer feedback but also encourages more reviews.

Offer incentives

While you shouldn't buy reviews, offering a small incentive like a free dry or wash cycle on their next visit can be a gentle nudge for customers to write a review.

On-page local SEO tactics

In the realm of local SEO, on-page tactics refer to the strategic steps you can take within your website's individual pages to boost its visibility in search engines. By focusing on the following on-page local SEO elements, you can significantly improve your laundromat’s online visibility and attract more local customers.

What is on-page SEO?

On-Page SEO is the practice of optimizing individual web pages, both their content and HTML source code, to rank higher and earn more relevant traffic from search engines. Unlike off-page SEO that refers to links and other external signals, on-page SEO focuses on optimizing your own website and its content.

Local keyword optimization

Keywords are the terms that people type into search engines when looking for something. For local SEO, these would be phrases like "laundromat near me" or "coin laundry in [Your City]."

Where to use local keywords

• Page title: The title of your web page should include a local keyword.

• Meta description: This is the text snippet that appears below your website in search results; it should also include your local keywords.

• Headers (H1, H2, H3): Use local keywords in the headings and subheadings within your content.

• Body text: Use local keywords naturally throughout the page content, but don’t overdo it. Keyword stuffing can lead to penalties.

Tools for keyword research

Optionally, use these tools to complete keyword research and back your decisions by data.

• Google Keyword Planner

• SEMrush

• Ahrefs

Name, Address, Phone (NAP) citations

NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone number. Search engines use this information to determine which businesses to show for geo-targeted searches. 

Importance of NAP consistency

• Correct contact information: Having accurate NAP information ensures your customers can reach you.

• SEO ranking: Consistent NAP information improves your chances of ranking high in local search results.

• Customer trust: Inconsistent NAP information can confuse potential customers, leading them to question your business's credibility.

Where to place NAP

• Footer: The footer of every page is a good place to consistently list your NAP.

• Contact page: This page should have detailed contact information, including NAP.

Mobile-friendly design

Since many local searches happen on mobile, it's crucial for your website to be mobile-friendly. Google provides a Mobile-Friendly Test tool that can help you identify issues.

Key considerations

• Responsive design: Ensure your website scales well on various screen sizes.

• Speed: Optimize images and scripts to improve loading time.

Content strategy for local SEO

Creating valuable, locally-focused content is a vital component of your laundromat SEO strategy. Not only does it help in ranking your laundromat higher in local search results, but it also establishes your business as an authority in the industry.

What is a laundromat content strategy?

You may be thinking, really? A content strategy for a laundromat? A content strategy includes the planning, development, and management of informative and engaging content. For laundromat SEO, the content should be tailored to meet the needs and interests of your local audience.

Types of laundromat content

Here are some types of content that work well for local laundry business SEO:

Services offered

Add different pages for the services that you offer. Include a description of self-service, wash and fold, pickup and delivery, and any other services that customers can get at your laundromat.

Cities you serve

Create individual pages for each city you serve. For example, “Laundromat Services in [City Name]”, where you can describe your location and talk about the localities around you.

Blog posts

Create blog posts on topics like "How to Choose the Best Laundromat in [Your City]" or "Eco-Friendly Laundry Practices."

Local event participation

Write about your involvement in community events or sponsorships. It helps in building local backlinks and brand awareness.

Local guides

Create comprehensive guides like "Laundry Services in [Your Area]: A Complete Guide" to target local keywords and solve user queries.

Reviews and testimonials

Display reviews from local customers to boost your credibility. You can create a dedicated page for this, or display them on other core pages

Measuring laundromat SEO success

Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track how your SEO improvements are affecting traffic and customer engagement. Monitor metrics to gauge performance such as: 

• Organic visitors

• Page views

• Time on site

• Bounce rate

• Customer reviews

• Average customer rating

• New visitors

There are great laundromat focused tools to help you understand the impact on your bottom-line. Explore laundromat business management tools, such as Cents OS, to assure that your efforts are driving the business you want.

Take action, grow your business!

Investing in local SEO is not just a marketing tactic; it's a long-term strategy that can help you build a robust local customer base. By implementing the recommendations mentioned in this guide, you're well on your way to transitioning your laundromat from a mere facility to the go-to place for clean clothes in your community.

Start optimizing today and watch your laundromat business flourish!