SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is the practice of working on your website’s content and link portfolio to increase its chance of being discovered online organically. In other words, if a potential customer looks for something related to your business on Google (or any other search engine) and they see a link to your website, this is a sign of good SEO.
But what is local SEO and how is it different from standard SEO? Here’s a look at what sets this service apart and a guide to determining which type is the best fit for your marketing strategy.
What’s The Difference
General SEO doesn’t care too much about a browser’s geographic location. If someone in Cairns finds your website on Google, that’s valuable. If a person in the US discovers you online, that’s great too. Think of this as ‘global SEO’ – it helps your website rank well for generic searches.
Local SEO, as the name suggests, is very much focused on getting your website onto the screens of people in your area (as well as any other areas you target). This could encompass a state or territory, a city, or even a specific suburb. The overarching aim of local SEO is informing Google and other search engines that your website is the ideal destination for people who search for your keywords in a particular place or region.
Which SEO Should You Target?
This depends entirely on your business model. If your main source of revenue is your physical shopfront, local SEO will most likely provide the most benefits. On the other hand, if your website has e‑commerce features and you can ship around the globe, more generalised SEO tactics are likely to work best. And if your business has a fair mix of both in-store and online transactions, it makes sense to use a little bit of both.
For example, a hairdresser with just one location on the Gold Coast should definitely turn to local SEO to reach people in the relevant suburbs. However, a hair product seller that delivers anywhere in Australia would benefit from a broader SEO strategy. If you’re unsure about which SEO model would best suit your business, please talk to us.
Local SEO Tactics
In addition to the common tools and approaches generally used for SEO, a digital strategy focused on local SEO will typically involve:
- Adding your website to local directories
- Creating business profiles for Google+ and Bing
- Featuring a map and/or store locator on your website
- Creating website pages and external links that target location-specific keywords.
Concept Designs and Marketing is pleased to now offer a local SEO service for our customers. Let us help you reach more people in the locations that are valuable to you.
