When people hear the term SEO Local they often think of local SEO or, more specifically, local search engine optimisation (SEO). While SEO is an important part of web development, including search engine optimisation (SEO) is not the same as Local SEO. While both are an important part of search marketing, there are significant differences between the two. In this article, we’ll differentiate the two and identify what they mean to different websites.
The key difference between SEO Local SEO is the fact that the former is focused on the individual keywords of the individual page rather than on the overall keyword usage. For example, a website might have local search engine optimisation using local images for the main image source, local description and title, and local listings for the main keywords, but the actual text content will be different: the image source will be mentioned once, the description will show up once and the title will only show up once. Local search engine optimization (SEO) is focused around the individual keyword of each page or individual entry.
Local search engine optimisation is very similar to Local SEO in the way that it involves keyword targeting within the text, but there are a few differences as well. Keywords need to be used within the text, but they do need to be used more strategically throughout the site, including in headers, images, headings, titles and the description. This ensures that the website will rank higher for the specific keywords that the user has chosen. Also, since local searchers are not likely to be aware of the existence of SEO Local until they search for a local business on a search engine, the website needs to make itself readily apparent from the moment that the searcher first types in a local address and city and/or state.
Creating high quality links to your website is a key point in your Local SEO strategy. Google loves links. Search engines put a lot of weight on links pointing to your pages. Creating and distributing a variety of quality inbound links is an important part of your Local SEO strategy. These links can come from other websites as well as blog posts, press releases and articles; anything that contains your local keywords will be looked at favorably by Google and the other major search engines.
The final area we will discuss is customer reviews. To improve local seo with customer reviews, you need to have a website that contains relevant customer reviews. If your customers are able to leave feedback for you, this will work to your advantage as well, since the review will contain information about what they liked and did not like about your service or product.
Image sources are another important tool in your Local SEO strategy. Image references are like keyword anchor texts. This is a special hyperlinked text that can be placed on your web pages, on your blogs or websites, and even in emails sent to your clients. The image source will be considered a “link” to your site, and should get lots of positive attention from your local searchers. The more links to your site, the better chance you have of improving your Local SEO.
Finally, content is the last element of Local SEO I will discuss. Content can either be a simple article or blog post or it can be a lengthy company biography or press release. The goal of having good content is that your local searchers will find you through the search engines rather than some generic page or business listing. In fact, it’s even better when the business listing shows up first in the results!
The above strategies provide great insight into how to improve your Local SEO and gain a strong foothold on the national stage. However, there are still many more techniques you can use to gain a strong foothold. While consistency is essential, keep your focus on what matters most to your targeted customers: the products or services you provide! Your SEO Local campaign will be stronger for it.