What is local SEO
What is local SEO
And how do you do it?
Local SEO is a strategy that enables your business to appear in local search results on search engines. It is a powerful tool for businesses targeting customers within a specific geographical area.
The definition of local SEO
Local SEO focuses on refining a website’s content and structure to achieve better rankings in search results for geographically specific searches. This means that when a user searches for a particular service, product, or business in a specific local area, or searches for a specific location, such as ‘service Copenhagen,’ a well-optimized page will be more visible and accessible to potential customers.
How does local SEO work?
Local SEO helps your business become more visible in local search results, which is crucial for driving traffic and increasing sales.
When consumers search for products, services, or businesses in their local area, search engines use their location to deliver relevant local results. The same applies if you make a location-specific search, for example, ‘Photographer in Copenhagen’, and you are not located in Copenhagen.
Highlight your business locally.
By optimizing your presence with local SEO, you ensure that your business is noticed by local customers just when they need you. Not only does it improve your business’s visibility, but it also increases the likelihood of attracting more relevant traffic.
Connections with the local community
Effective local SEO also strengthens the connection between your business and the people in your community by making you more visible and accessible to those who are in the vicinity.
How to do local SEO yourself
Google My Business
Your Google My Business profile is a central part of your local SEO strategy. It provides potential customers with important information about your business, such as location, opening hours, and services.
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Claim your GMB profile:
This first step is crucial to gain control over your business’s online presence on Google. If you haven’t already, you need to claim your business’s Google business profil. -
Provide accurate contact information.
Fill out your company’s name, address, and phone number (also known as NAP). It’s crucial that this information is consistent everywhere online, from your website to social media channels and online business directories. -
Consistency is key
You need to ensure that your contact information is consistent across all platforms. Inconsistencies can confuse both customers and search engines, potentially harming your local search optimization. -
Update your opening hours:
This ensures that your customers know when they can visit your business or contact you. Remember to update this information regularly, especially during holidays or special events. -
Fill out your company description, providing relevant details about your business, its products, and services.
A well-crafted description helps convey what your business offers and what sets it apart from competitors. Also, use this space to include relevant keywords that potential customers may use to find your business. - Pictures and videos:
Adding high-quality images and videos of your business, products, or services can enhance engagement on your GMB profile. Images and videos provide potential customers with a better understanding of what to expect and enhance the attractiveness of your profile.
Local keywords
Integrating local keywords into your website content helps showcase your business within the local market and enhances your visibility in local searches.
Perform a thorough analysis to understand what potential customers in your local area are searching for.
Your goal is to match this need by creating location-specific content that provides value and answers to these searches. For example, if you have businesses in multiple cities, you should develop a dedicated landing page for each city or location.
Each of these pages should contain detailed and relevant information, not only about your products or services, but also about your presence in the specific local area. For example, when describing a product or service, you should also mention how it relates to the specific local area, such as “luxury spa treatments in Copenhagen” or “craftsman services in Odense”.
Also, ensure that each landing page has location-specific page titles, meta descriptions, and header tags. These elements should clearly reflect both the product or service you offer and the geographic focus. By incorporating city names and local phrases in your H1 and H2 tags, as well as in the body text, you enhance your page’s local SEO signals and improve visibility for searches related to your area.
Customer reviews
It’s important to actively encourage your customers to leave reviews on Google, Trustpilot or other relevant platforms.
Reviews are not only crucial for SEO and branding; they also significantly enhance your company’s credibility.
Positive reviews can increase trust among both potential customers and search engines, enhancing your online visibility and attracting more customers. Be sure to engage by responding to reviews, as this also demonstrates that you value your customers’ feedback.
Local content and backlinks
Creating locally relevant content and obtaining backlinks from local businesses strengthen your local online presence. Therefore, we always recommend creating a strategy to obtain high-quality backlinks. You may consider reaching out to local news outlets, bloggers, or even organizations.
Local SEO is a strategic approach for long-term results.
Understanding and implementing local SEO is a crucial step for any local business aiming to stand out in search results. While it’s not a magic solution that instantly transforms your company’s online presence, it’s a powerful tool that, when used correctly, can enhance your visibility and attract more local traffic over time.
It’s important to remember that local SEO is an ongoing process that requires maintenance and adaptation to changing market conditions and technologies.
By keeping your business information updated, engaging with the local community, and creating relevant content, you’re laying the foundation for a strong local online presence.