Search engine optimization (SEO) is a critical aspect of digital marketing. It helps businesses increase their online visibility and attract more traffic to their websites. However, SEO can take different forms depending on the goals of the business. Local SEO, for example, focuses on optimizing a business’s online presence for local searches. In this article, we’ll explore the major differences between SEO and local SEO.
What is SEO?
SEO is the process of optimizing a website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). The goal of SEO is to increase a website’s visibility and attract more traffic from search engines. SEO can include optimizing website content, improving website structure and speed, and building backlinks.
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO is a subset of SEO that focuses on optimizing a business’s online presence for local searches. The goal of local SEO is to help businesses appear in the “local pack,” which is a section of Google’s search results that displays local businesses related to a search query. Local SEO can include optimizing Google My Business profiles, building local citations, and collecting positive reviews.
The Major Differences Between SEO & Local SEO
- Target Audience
The target audience for SEO is anyone searching for a particular keyword or phrase, regardless of their location. Local SEO, on the other hand, targets users searching for local businesses or services in a specific geographic area. - Keyword Targeting
SEO typically focuses on broad, high-volume keywords that are relevant to a business’s industry. Local SEO, on the other hand, targets location-specific keywords such as “coffee shops in Chicago” or “plumbers in San Francisco.” - Google My Business
Google My Business is a critical component of local SEO. It allows businesses to create a profile that appears in the local pack and provides important information such as business hours, location, and contact information. SEO does not typically involve optimizing Google My Business profiles. - Local Citations
Local citations are online mentions of a business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP). Local SEO involves building local citations on relevant websites such as directories and review sites. SEO, on the other hand, typically focuses on building backlinks to a website. - Reviews
Reviews are a critical component of local SEO. Positive reviews can help a business appear higher in the local pack and attract more customers. SEO does not typically involve collecting reviews.
Conclusion
While SEO and local SEO share some similarities, they are distinct strategies with different goals and tactics. SEO focuses on optimizing a website to rank higher in search engine results pages, while local SEO focuses on optimizing a business’s online presence for local searches. Local SEO involves targeting location-specific keywords, optimizing Google My Business profiles, building local citations, and collecting reviews. If you’re a local business looking to improve your online visibility and attract more customers, local SEO is worth considering.
