National SEO might have you up against Goliath-sized brands with deep pockets, but with local SEO, you get to take aim at smaller, more manageable targets – local keywords.
While the big brands are spending tens of thousands of dollars on their SEO campaigns, local SEO levels the playing field. You won’t have to compete with the big companies, just the local pack in your own city.
And the winner is determined by the most effective local SEO strategy. All the players are roughly on the same budget, so it’s all about who has the best tactics.
Now, let’s take a look at how local SEO can give you an edge over national brands.
1. Low Competition.
One of the biggest benefits of local SEO is the smaller pool of competition because you only compete against other businesses in your city or state.
Unlike national SEO, where your business has to compete with a larger number of players across the country that have ten times more budget to allocate to their SEO strategy, local search marketing allows you to target only one specific city or even neighborhood.
With local SEO, you’re only up against a select few businesses in your city or state. It’s like a hometown advantage in the digital world.
2. Geographically Targeted Keywords.
When people search for products or services, what do they often do? They add their location or type in “near me.” And, in fact, 46% of all searches include location – talk about a game-changer!
Local SEO lets you optimize for keywords that are specific to the area where your business is located. This means you’ll have a greater focus on local keywords and a better shot at ranking for them.
Forget about competing against businesses from all over the country. With local SEO, you can target keywords that include your city, state, or region, making it easier for potential customers to find you.
Imagine a world where your business pops up at the top of the search results when someone in your area is searching for the products or services you offer. That’s the power of local SEO!
For example, instead of just targeting “dentist,” a local dental practice can target “dentist in downtown Los Angeles.”
By incorporating local SEO and optimizing your web pages for a specific location, you can win those keywords.
3. Google Business Profile and Local Directories.
Google Business profile is a free tool that provides a platform for small businesses to reach local customers.
One of the key advantages of local SEO is the ability to use Google Business profile and other local directories. This gives you a chance to shine in front of your target audience and display your location, services, and contact information.
By setting up a Google My Business profile and properly optimizing it, you can improve your visibility in your local search results and attract more local customers.
Think of it like having a virtual storefront that’s open 24/7, welcoming potential customers, and giving them all the information they need to contact you or visit your business location.
Furthermore, you can list your business in local directories related to your niche can increase the chances of appearing in your local search results when people are searching for businesses like yours in your city.
Final Words.
In conclusion, local SEO is not a mountain for small businesses to climb! It’s a great way for small businesses to reach new local customers, all without breaking the bank.
So the answer to the question “Is Local SEO Harder for Small Businesses?” is no.
Local SEO is a great marketing strategy for small businesses that don’t have a hefty budget to invest in their website.
And you can garner excellent results with it. Considering that roughly 28% of local searches result in a purchase, you can establish a stream of new customers for your business.
So don’t be intimidated by the big brands, local SEO gives small businesses the edge they need to come out on top.