Building a business website in Long Beach is a bit like opening a storefront on 2nd Street. You want it to look sharp, feel local, and be easy to find, especially for the people already walking by with their phones out. And let’s be honest, if your site doesn’t load fast or show up in a Google search, it’s basically the digital equivalent of a locked door with no signage. Not ideal.
So, if you’re setting up shop; whether it’s a surfboard rental near Alamitos or a legal firm in Bixby Knolls; here’s how to make your website work for you, not against you.
Local SEO: Not optional, not negotiable.
Long Beach isn’t small. With over 450,000 residents and a sprawl of neighborhoods that each feel like their own little universe, you can’t just toss your business online and hope someone stumbles across it. You’ve got to show up where people are looking.
That means three things, right out of the gate:
- Your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) info needs to be identical everywhere. Your site, Google Business Profile, Yelp, Nextdoor—no exceptions. Inconsistencies confuse search engines, and confused search engines don’t rank you.
- Keywords matter, but not in a spammy, 2008 kind of way. Use phrases like “Long Beach dog groomer” or “Belmont Shore Pilates studio” where they make sense: in your headers, page titles, and body text.
- Add local schema markup. It’s a bit technical, but it tells Google exactly what you are and where you are, which helps you show up in that coveted local 3-pack.
Speaking of which, that 3-pack—the map results on Google? It gets over 44% of all local clicks. You want in.
According to BrightLocal’s Local Consumer Review Survey, visibility and consistency matter more than ever.
Mobile-first or don’t bother.
Here’s a number that should make you slightly nervous: over 60% of U.S. web traffic comes from mobile devices. In Long Beach, that number’s probably higher. People are checking menus while waiting in line at Portfolio Coffee, or booking appointments from the car (not while driving, we hope).
If your site’s clunky on a phone, you’ve already lost them. Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check your setup. Then fix what’s broken. Prioritize speed, clear navigation, and buttons that don’t require surgical precision to tap.
Stats from Statista show just how dominant mobile browsing has become.
Speak to the neighborhood, not just the city.
Long Beach isn’t just Long Beach. It’s Los Altos. It’s Cambodia Town. It’s the East Village Arts District. And your content should reflect that.
Let me explain. A blog post titled “5 Kid-Friendly Parks in Lakewood” isn’t just helpful; it’s a signal to Google (and your audience) that you know the area. You’re not some faceless brand parachuting in. You’re part of the community.
Same goes for testimonials. A quote from “Jasmine in Bluff Heights” hits differently than one from “a satisfied customer.” It’s specific. It’s human. And it builds trust.
Hyperlocal content makes your site feel like it belongs here, not like it was copy-pasted from a national template.
Integration with the locals.
You’ve probably already claimed your Google Business Profile. If not, stop reading and go do that. But don’t stop there.
Make sure you’re also listed on:
These platforms aren’t just for visibility. They’re credibility builders. And they’re where reviews live, which—surprise—matter a lot.
In fact, 87% of people read online reviews for local businesses. That’s basically everyone except your uncle who still uses a flip phone.
Accessibility: because lawsuits aren’t fun.
California has seen a spike in lawsuits against businesses with websites that aren’t accessible. And honestly, compliance isn’t just about avoiding legal trouble; it’s the decent thing to do.
Use tools like WAVE to check your site’s accessibility. Follow the WCAG 2.1
guidelines. Make sure people using screen readers or keyboard navigation can actually use your site.
It’s not just about ramps and railings anymore. Digital doors need to be open, too.
Speed is a feature. Not a bonus.
People don’t wait. If your site takes more than a few seconds to load, they’re gone. Probably to your competitor down the street.
So, get fast hosting. Ideally, one with servers that aren’t halfway across the country. Use a CDN. Compress your images. Enable caching. Lazy-load what you can.
Then test it. Google PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix will show you exactly what’s slowing you down; and yes, you should absolutely obsess over those scores.
Show your receipts: local trust signals.
If you’re certified by the Long Beach Green Business Program, or involved with a local nonprofit, or even just a member of the local Chamber—say so.
Put logos on your footer. Mention it in your About page. These little signals stack up. You’re not just listing a Long Beach address. You’re showing you belong here.
And people notice that. They really do.
So here’s the bottom line.
Your website isn’t just a digital business card. It’s your storefront, your first impression, your late-night salesperson, and your silent partner. If it doesn’t reflect the pace, personality, and geography of Long Beach, it’s not doing its job.
Build for mobile. Write for locals. Show up in search. And don’t forget to make it fast, accessible, and unmistakably yours.
That’s how you build something that works; right here in Long Beach.
That’s the view from the ground.
We’ll be back soon with more real-world insights.
Until then, keep building.
– Perfect Sites Blog