Local SEO

Local SEO is a branch of search engine optimization focused on increasing a business's visibility for geographically related searches. When someone searches for "plumber near me" or "best Italian restaurant in Chicago," local SEO determines which businesses appear in the results. It encompasses both the Google Map Pack (the local 3-pack of business listings) and localized organic results.

The foundation of local SEO is Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). Optimizing your GBP listing involves ensuring accurate and complete business information (name, address, phone number, hours), selecting the right categories, adding photos and posts regularly, responding to reviews, and using Google's Q&A feature. Consistency of your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across all online directories, citations, and your website is critical for local ranking.

Beyond GBP optimization, local SEO involves creating location-specific content on your website, building local citations in relevant directories, earning reviews from customers, optimizing for local keywords, implementing local schema markup, and building links from local organizations and publications. For businesses with multiple locations, each location needs its own optimized landing page and Google Business Profile listing.