DGSOL helps you to understand everything you need to know to boost your local online presence. From setting up your Google Business Profile to obtaining customer reviews and utilizing the right local SEO strategy, this complete guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.
What Is Local SEO?
Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a digital marketing strategy that helps your business appear in local search results on Google and other search engines. It tells Google what your business offers, where it’s located, and why it’s trustworthy, making it easier for local customers to find and choose you.
For Example:
Let’s say someone nearby searches for “best pizza near me.” A pizzeria with strong local SEO might show up at the top of the results, both on the map and in the regular links. Why? Because it’s close, has excellent reviews, and provides precisely what the customer needs.
Why Is Local SEO Important?
More people now rely on their phones to find local services and products, so if your business does not appear in those local results, you are losing customers to competitors.
Local SEO Stats from Google, which shows its importance:
- 30% of all mobile searches are location-based.
- 78% of people who search for something local on their phone visit a business within 24 hours.
- 28% of those searches lead to a purchase.
Bottom Line: Your potential customers are already searching for businesses like yours. A well-executed local SEO guide ensures they find you easily, rather than your competition.
How Does Local SEO Work?
Local SEO helps your business appear in two main areas of Google’s search results:
- Local Map Pack (Map Listings)
The boxed section, located at the top, features a map and three local business listings. It includes your business name, location, ratings, hours, and more.
- Organic Search Results (Regular Listings)
These are the familiar blue links that appear below the map. They usually show local websites and pages relevant to the search.
A successful local SEO strategy helps you appear among competitors locally.
Step-by-Step Local SEO Guide for Your Business
Here is a step-by-step local SEO checklist you can follow to boost your visibility and get more local customers.
1. Set Up and Optimize Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is your free business listing on Google. It helps you appear in map results and Google Maps.
Why it matters:
- 36% of SEO experts say it is the most important factor for appearing in the local map pack.
- A complete and optimized profile increases the chances of customers visiting or contacting you.
How to optimize your GBP:
- Choose the most accurate business category (e.g., “plumber,” “pizza restaurant”).
- Add your address, phone number, and website.
- Set your hours (including holiday hours).
- Upload quality photos of your business or products.
- Add services/products you offer.
- Ask happy customers to leave reviews.
- Respond to reviews regularly.
2. Get More Customer Reviews
Customer reviews build trust with both Google and potential buyers. More high-quality reviews result in better rankings and increased clicks.
Best practices:
- Ask satisfied customers to leave a Google review.
- Respond to all reviews, whether positive or negative, to show that you care.
- Do not pay for reviews or only ask for positive ones; this practice is against Google’s rules.
Pro Tip: Use a review link from your Google Business dashboard to make it easy for customers to leave feedback.
3. Get Listed in Online Directories (NAP Citations)
NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone Number. A citation is when your business info appears on websites like Yelp, Yellow Pages, or Facebook.
Why it matters:
- It boosts your local visibility.
- It helps Google verify your business location and details.
Tips for citation building:
- Submit to big directories like Yelp, Bing Places, Apple Maps, and Facebook.
- List your business with local and niche-specific directories.
- Ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) is consistent across all listings.
4. Do Local Keyword Research
You need to know what local customers are typing into Google to find services like yours. That is where keyword research comes in.
Steps to find the right keywords:
a. Identify Service Keywords
Consider the services you want to offer. For example, a plumbing service could be:
- Emergency plumbing services
- Boiler repair
- Drain cleaning
b. Use Keyword Tools
Utilize tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs to identify related keywords and assess their popularity.
c. Check for Local Intent
Search for the keyword on Google. If you see a map pack or local results, that keyword has local intent, and it is perfect for local SEO.
d. Assign Keywords to Pages
Not all keywords should be listed on a single page. Create a separate webpage for each major service to improve search engine rankings.
5. Build Local Backlinks for better local visibility
Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. Google sees these as votes of confidence.
Why is it important:
- Strong backlinks help your website rank higher in local and organic results.
Tips to earn backlinks:
- Get listed on local blogs or business association websites.
- Reach out to sites that already link to your competitors (use tools like Ahrefs Link Intersect).
- Create helpful content that people want to share and engage with.
6. Improve On-Page SEO for Local Pages
On-page SEO refers to optimizing your website’s pages for both search engines and users.
Checklist for Local On-Page SEO:
- It includes your city or region in page titles (e.g., “Boiler Repair in London”).
- Add your NAP on the footer or contact page.
- Write a unique meta title and description for each webpage.
- Use descriptive, keyword-rich URLs (e.g., /drain-cleaning-london).
- Add location-based images and alt text.
- Internally link related service pages together.
- Mention important local info (service areas, certifications, emergency services, etc.).
Recommended Tools for Local SEO Optimization
Here are some tools that can help you with your local SEO tasks:
| Local SEO Tool | Purpose |
| Google Business Manager | Manage your GBP listing. |
| Google Search Console | Monitor your website’s performance in search. |
| Ahrefs Rank Tracker | Track keyword rankings in specific locations. |
| Grid My Business | Visualize map pack rankings in your area. |
| Yext | Manage your business info across multiple listings. |
| Google Keyword Planner | Find local search keyword ideas. |
Local SEO Services Matter for Businesses
Local SEO for business is not just about search engine rankings, but it’s about attracting the right customers at the right time, when they are ready to act. Whether you are a local plumber, a dentist, a restaurant, or a boutique, local SEO services can help you grow your business faster and beat local competition.
At DGSOL, we help businesses like yours get found by real, local customers. Our experts craft custom strategies tailored to your goals, from setting up your Google Business Profile to advanced local link building.
Ready to Attract More Local Customers? DGSOL empowers your business to excel in local search. Reach out to us today for a complimentary local SEO consultation.
