SEOJet Flight Blog

Learn to fly your own SEO. We’ll guide from the tower.

SEO Advice for Local Companies

Want to get found in your area? These articles focus on improving local search rankings, making the most of Google Business, and attracting nearby customers. Practical advice for local trades, services, and shop owners.

Improve Your Local SEO: Tips to Boost Your Search Ranking and Attract Local Customers

If you're a small business trying to grow online, understanding SEO and local SEO is non-negotiable. This guide shares actionable local SEO tips that will improve your local visibility and help your business appear higher in search engine results.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to tighten up your existing strategy, you’ll get the SEO tips for small businesses you need to rank better and attract more local customers.

We’ll explore practical strategies tailored to small businesses, focusing on the areas that matter most for local search - like your Google Business Profile, local keywords, and local content.

Read on if you want to improve your local search performance and drive more customers your way.

Article Outline

What is local SEO and how is it different from general SEO?
Why is local SEO important for small businesses?
What are the benefits of local SEO for your business?
How does Google determine local search rankings?
How do I improve my Google Business Profile?
What local SEO tips help you show up on Google Maps?
How do I optimise my website for local keywords?
What is the role of local content in SEO?
Should I list my business in online directories?
How can local citations and business directories help SEO?
How do Google reviews affect local SEO?
What’s the best way to track your local SEO performance?
How can partnerships with other businesses boost local SEO?
Why is local news and event content useful for SEO?
What are the most effective local SEO strategies for small businesses?

1. What is local SEO and how is it different from general SEO?

Local SEO is a subset of SEO that focuses on helping your business appear in local search results. Unlike traditional SEO, which targets broader national or global keywords, local SEO is all about improving your visibility in a specific local market.

It helps search engines understand who you are, what product or service you offer, and where you're located. If you're trying to improve your local visibility in Google search, you're not just competing with national brands – you're competing in the local pack, a small group of listings that appear for most local search terms.

Strong local SEO helps ensure your business shows up when someone nearby searches for a relevant product or service.

2. Why is local SEO important for small businesses?

For small businesses, local SEO is one of the best ways to compete online. You don’t need a huge budget to rank locally – you just need good SEO practices and consistency.

Most people who search with local intent are looking for a nearby solution right now. If you're not showing up in the local search results, you're missing out on real business. Implementing local SEO practices puts your business directly in front of these ready-to-buy customers.

Local search also supports footfall to physical premises. Even if your business doesn’t rely on walk-ins, the increased online presence builds trust.

3. What are the benefits of local SEO for your business?

The benefits of local SEO include:

Better visibility in local search results
Higher quality traffic from nearby customers
Increased chances of appearing in Google Map packs
More calls, website visits, and sales
A stronger online presence in your local market

It also helps position your business as a trusted part of your community. This is valuable for customer retention and referrals, especially if you’re in a competitive area.

4. How does Google determine local search rankings?

Google considers three main factors to rank businesses in local search: relevance, distance, and prominence.

Relevance is how well your business matches what someone is searching for.
Distance is how close your business is to the location of the person searching.
Prominence is how well-known your business is, based on reviews, links, and online mentions.

Your Google Business Profile plays a big role here, alongside local content and business directories. The more complete and consistent your information is, the better your chances of ranking.

5. How do I improve my Google Business Profile?

To make the most of your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), focus on accuracy and completeness. Here’s what to check:

Business name, address, and phone number (NAP) should be correct and match your website.
Add business hours, services, and a clear description of your product or service.
Upload high-quality photos of your premises or work.
Choose the correct categories and add any attributes (e.g. wheelchair accessible, women-led).
Respond to reviews promptly.

Keeping your Google Business Profile updated helps search engines and users trust your listing.

6. What local SEO tips help you show up on Google Maps?

Showing up in Google Map results requires a combination of good profile management and local SEO work. Start with these tips:

Verify your Google My Business account.
Use local keywords in your profile description.
Collect and respond to Google reviews regularly.
Add location-based photos.
Make sure your NAP details match across the internet.

You’re aiming to appear in the local pack – the group of three listings shown with the map on local searches. These results often attract the most clicks, especially on mobile devices.

7. How do I optimise my website for local keywords?

To target local keywords, include specific town, city, or region names naturally within your website content. Here’s where to use local terms:

In page titles and meta descriptions
In H1 and H2 headings
On your homepage and contact page
Within product or service descriptions
In internal links

Use a tool like Google Keyword Planner to research search terms people use in your area. The right local keywords help search engines connect your business with nearby searches.

8. What is the role of local content in SEO?

Local content helps build relevance and shows Google that your website is connected to a specific area. Good examples of local content include:

Case studies featuring local customers
Blog posts about local events or news
Location-based landing pages for different areas you serve

When you include content on your website that mentions nearby landmarks, events, or topics, you improve your chances of ranking for local searches.

9. Should I list my business in online directories?

Yes – submitting your business to trusted online directories is still a best practice in local SEO. Focus on:

Google Business Profile
Yelp
Bing Places
Thomson Local
Yell
Local chamber of commerce or trade-specific directories

Consistent listings boost your authority and help search engines trust your business information.

10. How can local citations and business directories help SEO?

Local citations refer to mentions of your business name, address, and phone number across the web. Even unlinked citations help search engines verify your business details.

Make sure your listings in business directories and local business directories are:

Consistent
Accurate
Up to date

This improves your visibility in local searches and helps search engines index your local information correctly.

11. How do Google reviews affect local SEO?

Google reviews impact your local rankings in two key ways:

Quantity and frequency – More reviews send signals that your business is active and trusted.
Star rating and sentiment – High ratings and positive feedback improve your prominence in search.

Encourage happy customers to leave reviews and always respond – it shows engagement and improves trust with both Google and your audience.

12. What’s the best way to track your local SEO performance?

You can’t improve what you don’t track. Use these tools:

Google Search Console – Monitors search queries, site performance, and any indexing issues.
Google Analytics – Tracks user behaviour and conversions.
Google Business Profile Insights – Shows how users find your business and what actions they take.

Track rankings for your most important local keywords and monitor your search engine results page presence regularly.

13. How can partnerships with other businesses boost local SEO?

Partnering with other local businesses can boost SEO by:

Earning backlinks from local websites
Getting featured in local news or blogs
Sharing each other’s listings or reviews

This builds relevance in your local market and helps search engines see you as part of the local network. It also drives referral traffic and trust.

14. Why is local news and event content useful for SEO?

Posting about local events or sharing local news ties your business to the local community. It also:

Generates fresh, relevant content
Increases local keyword use naturally
Attracts local backlinks or mentions

This kind of content shows Google your website is actively engaged with your local area and helps improve your local search ranking.

15. What are the most effective local SEO strategies for small businesses?

Here are some strong local SEO strategies to get started:

Claim and complete your Google Business Profile
Use location-based keywords in titles, headings, and content
Create dedicated landing pages for each service area
Post regular local content and updates
Get listed in trusted business directories
Collect and manage Google reviews
Build local links through relationships and outreach
Monitor your performance in Google Search Console

Small business SEO doesn’t need to be complicated. Focus on consistent, location-based signals across all platforms.

Summary: Key Local SEO Tips for Small Businesses

Local SEO is essential for attracting nearby customers and competing online.
Start by setting up and optimising your Google Business Profile.
Use local keywords throughout your site to help search engines.
Create local content like event pages, blogs, and case studies.
List your business in trusted online and local business directories.
Encourage and respond to Google reviews to boost trust.
Use Google Search Console and Analytics to track SEO performance.
Build relationships with other businesses to grow local links.
Stay consistent with your business information everywhere.
Focus on practical local SEO strategies that improve your local rankings and online presence.

Want to improve your local visibility? Start implementing these tips today and see how your local search rankings improve.