LOCAL SEO: A DEFINITIVE GUIDE

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Local SEO: A Definitive Guide

If you’re looking to rank your local business in Google, Bing, and other search engines, you’ve come to the right place. Today’s local search landscape has become a lot more complex than simply mentioning your area on your website. Our helpful guide will walk you through every aspect you need to know about when it comes to Local SEO, so let’s get started.

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Why is Local SEO important?

There are several reasons why Local SEO has become essential for businesses. Here are a few of them:

• 86% of users rely on the Internet to find a local business
• 46% of all Google searches are looking for local information
• When users search for products and services in their local area – also known as using ‘local intent’ -, this means they are getting ready to go to a physical store to buy the product or service. Brick and mortar businesses should use Local SEO to capitalise on this opportunity
• Around 72% of users that perform local searchers visit a business within 5 miles of their own location
• Users want to find a local business quickly and easily

It’s important to note that, whilst Local SEO is important for local companies, certain sectors such as international e-commerce and SaaS businesses don’t tend to rely on this method as much.

Needless to say, this strand of SEO has become hugely important for businesses offering local products or services. Investing in a solid Local SEO strategy could give you the edge over your competitors.

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So, what is the difference between SEO and local SEO?

SEO, also referred to as “search engine optimisation” and “traditional SEO”, is the digital marketing practice of improving your website to make it more visible in organic Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs). Many SEO strategies like to include some Local SEO – often seen as a subsection of SEO – due to its importance to many businesses.
Whereas “traditional SEO” is quite general in its approach to improving your website’s visibility on search engines, Local SEO really hones in on the geographical components of search. Smaller businesses can also see a bigger impact through local search as opposed to other SEO tactics as it’s a less competitive landscape. This is because with Local SEO, they are only competing with similar businesses in their area, rather than with all their competitors on the internet.
Google is able to differentiate between the two and uses a different set of ranking factors to position the local search results.

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How does Local SEO work?

Local SEO has separate ranking factors compared to “traditional” SEO. Some of the unique ranking signals include:

• Location of user
• Local SEO keywords
• NAP citations
• Google My Business listing
• The Map Pack
• Online reviews
• Localised content
• Social signals

These all play a part in the success of your Local SEO profile. Let’s go over these in more detail.

Local SEO Keywords

The difference between traditional keyword research and local keyword research is that the latter does not need as much intricate planning and rehashing every few months. Well-researched localised keywords are still vital, but it’s safe to say you can usually get by with a much shorter list.

Typical search queries with local intent are recognisable to most of us – since we have all used them at one point or other – and will include the following modifiers:

[search term] + city

[search term] + near me

To read more about the basics of keywords, their impact on SEO, and how to perform keyword research, read our Beginner’s Guide To Keywords.

NAP Citations

Citations refer to the mentions your business gets across any online platform, including websites and social media. NAP – which stands for name, address, and phone number – citations are critical if you wish to rank well in local search engine results. Simply put, aim for relevancy with your local citations!

Google My Business Listing

When we hear local search, our SEO-wired brains tend to go straight to Google My Business, also known as GMB. It’s a vital stage of any Local SEO campaign and should be the first thing you do. Your GMB listing is used as Google’s way to confirm, support, and share your business with its users. It is also your chance to provide your potential customers with valuable and up-to-date information, including your phone number, opening and closing times, and any business updates. There are also several other benefits of claiming and optimising your Google My Business listing;

• Online customer reviews through your GMB listing act as a strong signal to search engines
• Your GMB automatically provides you with a Google Maps listing – the perfect way to reach your target customers!
• It’s free to use

The Map Pack

Results tend to come in all shapes and sizes, but the map pack, also referred to as Google’s local pack, is the most sought-after and prestigious position of all. When you’ve made it into the map pack, you’ve truly nailed your local ranking optimisation. Displayed as a set of three highlighted Google-Maps-based results, the local businesses shown in this section will be the most highly ranked in the searched area. It doesn’t play by the rules of our other ranking factors – the map pack is in an (algorithm) league of its own. So, what factors must you take under consideration when your desire is to reach the ultimate three? These are;

• Your GMB listing is a top priority, thanks to Moz’s Local Search Ranking Factors report
• You’re most likely fed upon hearing it, but if your NAP listings aren’t consistent, you won’t stand a chance
• There’s a reason the map pack listings often have 100+ reviews, so don’t underestimate their power
• Your overall SEO efforts and rankings are also taken into account, as confirmed by Google themselves: “Your position in web results is also a factor, so SEO best practices also apply to local search optimization”

Social Media

Although social signals aren’t necessarily direct ranking factors, they do serve a purpose when it comes to SEO. If quality information is shared on your social media, the chances are your followers will share this information across their own channels, including their websites.

There’s certainly no shortage when it comes to choosing social media platforms that will help benefit your business needs. Marketing through social media has never been more popular, whether that’s through the model-esque influencers on Instagram to the teen sensations making waves on TikTok.

So, how does it affect your Local SEO? Well, as already discussed, we know the NAP accuracy will play a part in this. Certain social media platforms also allow you to geotag your posts and stories, helping you to expand your reach with local audiences.

Believe it or not, we’ve only covered the tip of the iceberg of the wonders that are Local SEO. As with SEO, Local SEO is a vast plain that can take years to fully understand. So, if you need help with building a sustainable and successful Local SEO campaign, our upUgo experts are here to help!

Additionally, if you found this article useful, explore the rest of our SEO guide for more helpful tips on improving your organic search visibility.