How to Get Started With Local SEO

July 16, 2023

Local SEO helps your business appear in search results for customers in your geographic area. Traditional SEO ranking factors still apply, along with additional variables such as relevance, distance and prominence, and creating locally targeted content is one way to maximize those signals. Below are the core steps: research location-specific keywords, optimize on-page elements, claim local directory listings, and support your efforts with social media.

What keywords should you target for local SEO?

Local keyword research starts with finding words and phrases that match how nearby customers actually search. The right keywords have high search volumes and are relevant to your topic, without overstuffing content. Overstuffing lowers quality and reduces SEO ranking. Ubersuggest is a free tool for finding relevant words.

Google Autocomplete is another quick source of local keyword ideas. Type phrases like "plumber NYC" or "auto repair Vancouver" to generate keyword suggestions, then add them to your service pages and metadata tags to improve search engine ranking.

How does on-page optimization fit in?

On-page optimization is an integral component of local SEO. It involves tailoring website content and structure to better match searcher intent by optimizing title tags, internal links, URLs and fixing any crawl errors.

On-page SEO for local businesses includes using location-specific keywords in your website content. One method is adding them as URL parameters, for example a local plumber including his address in the URL ("plumbers in Brooklyn" or "plumbers near me").

Location-specific keywords in on-page optimization help your business rank higher in local searches and draw more customers. Avoid overusing keywords, which can lead to Google penalizing your site. Focus on relevant and descriptive terms, and make sure your local SEO strategy aligns with your business goals.

Why do local business directories matter?

Business directories are an essential element of local SEO, serving as a platform for customer reviews and helping local residents locate businesses in their vicinity. Many consumers rely on reviews to make purchasing decisions, so local business owners need to promote themselves through local directories to drive customers.

Search engines trust these directories because of their high standards and detailed business listings, which also rank highly in organic searches for relevant terms. Listing your business on local directories can give your organic search rankings an extra boost.

Using local business directories is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to boost local SEO, since listing is completely free. Keeping consistent NAP (name, address and phone number) information ensures Google recognizes your listings when ranking you in local search results.

How does social media support local SEO?

Unlike national SEO, which targets all users, local SEO promotes your business within its geographical area, and can be accomplished in ways such as embedding Google Maps onto Facebook pages and including your location within business descriptions.

Social media aids local SEO efforts by promoting and driving traffic to your content, and by refreshing evergreen material that has been inactive for some time.

To maximize results, keep NAP data consistent across all platforms and websites. Google factors NAP consistency into local search rankings, so fix any NAP errors as soon as possible to keep listings current and accurate.

FAQ

What is local SEO?

Local SEO is an online marketing strategy used by businesses to reach new customers in a specific geographical location by appearing in locally tailored search results.

Which tools help find local keywords?

Ubersuggest is a free tool for discovering relevant keywords, and Google Autocomplete generates local keyword suggestions when you type phrases like "plumber NYC" or "auto repair Vancouver."

Why are local business directories important?

Search engines trust local directories because of their high standards and detailed business listings, and listing your business on them for free can boost your organic search rankings. Keeping your NAP (name, address and phone number) information consistent helps Google recognize your listings in local search results.