Most of us we have heard about Search Engine Optimisation commonly know as SEO. However, there is another form of SEO called Local SEO and some people get confused on the difference between the two. Both types increase the visibility of websites and blogs on search engines and social media platforms organically (without paying for it). Their main aim is to improve the ranking of web pages on search results pages (SRP) and Google maps.
For us to have a clear understanding of the difference between these two concepts, we need to understand the real meaning of Search Engine Optimisation. SEO is a set of techniques that we apply on web pages so that the search engines can localise them, interpret and rank them. It is a very important technique in allowing potential clients to find your services and products online. Search Engines use algorithms to help them to interpret web pages and provide the most suitable information to users. If your website is optimised it is ranked higher than your competitors websites and it becomes more visible to potential clients. This places your businesses at an advantage and the likelihood of sales and profits is higher.
SEO is applied on a website, a blog or on social media platforms. Therefore, before we can talk about SEO you need to have a website. Depending on your computer skills and your knowledge there are a lot of ways you can go around this, however, our advice is to hire a professional web designer. Your website need to clean and easy to navigate. Search engines rewards websites that offer greater user interface and user experience (UI and UX). The more people that visit your website and spend time going through it the higher it will be ranked by Google.
Local SEO is quite similar to SEO as we have described above. The difference lies in the scope of coverage. Local SEO refers to SEO that is targeted to a local area. Think of local plumbers, barkers, local doctors etc. All of them they are local businesses that serves locals people. The main aim is to be visible to people in a local area who are more likely to buy from your businesses. Local businesses are more like to show their opening hours, direction to their place of businesses and the reviews left by other happy customers. The most important tool in Local SEO es Google My Business. It is a free platform that any business can signup online, however it has amazing opportunities. When people close to your business search for products and services, related businesses are shown together with their location. Research shows that these results are more effective than the Google Ads. People trust local businesses because they can always go there if something goes wrong. There are a few factors that affect which business is going to be on top of these results.
- Use of keywords in your Google My Business description and product/service description
- The location people are search for goods and services from
- The reviews left by the people on Google or social media (more good the better)
- The number and frequency of check-ins into your business
- Actions on social media platforms of the business
Google My Business offers a wide variety of marketing opportunities for small local businesses. You don’t need a website to signup for one and it provides you with a free website. You can post photos about your business and make regular posts to keep your customers updated. So if you are a local business and you are not on Google My Business you are losing out. If you want help please get in tough with us.
