Local SEO for Businesses: What Is It and How to Do It

Digital Marketing May 23, 2025 34 Add to Reading List

In today’s digital world, just having a website isn’t enough. If you run a local business, you need potential customers in your area to find you online—quickly and easily. That’s where Local SEO for businesses becomes essential. It’s the strategy that ensures your company appears in local search results when nearby customers search for your products or services.

In this guide, we’ll explain what Local SEO is, why it’s a game-changer for small businesses, and how you can use it to boost visibility, traffic, and revenue. Whether you own a bakery, law firm, salon, or any other brick-and-mortar business, this guide is your step-by-step blueprint to local success.

What Is Local SEO?

Local SEO (Local Search Engine Optimisation) is the process of improving your online visibility for geographically-related searches. Think about searches like:

“best dentist near me”
“pizza delivery in Manchester”
“plumber in Leeds”

When customers search for services in their area, Local SEO helps your business appear in Google Maps, the local pack, and organic search results. Unlike national SEO, which targets broader audiences, Local SEO targets your nearby customers—those most likely to convert.

Why Local SEO Is Important for Businesses

Let’s face it—if your business doesn’t show up when someone nearby searches for what you offer, you’re losing money. In fact:

46% of all Google searches have local intent
78% of local mobile searches result in an offline purchase
Most people trust businesses that appear in the top 3 Google local results

Here’s how Local SEO for small businesses helps:

Drives high-converting local traffic
Increases store visits, phone calls, and bookings
Builds trust and credibility with Google and customers
Helps you compete with larger brands in your own community

How Local SEO Works

Google uses three main signals to decide which businesses to show in local results:

Relevance – How well your business matches the search
Distance – How close you are to the searcher
Prominence – How well-known your business is (reviews, links, citations)

By improving these signals through proper Local SEO strategies, your business can show up when it matters most—when people are ready to buy.

How to Do Local SEO for Your Business

✅ 1. Set Up and Optimise Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is your first step to local visibility.

Fill out all business info accurately (Name, Address, Phone – or NAP)
Use relevant categories and a clear business description
Add high-quality photos of your location, staff, and products
Encourage positive Google reviews
Keep your hours and info up to date

This listing helps you appear in Google Maps, local finder, and the coveted local 3-pack.

✅ 2. Optimise Your Website for Local Searches

Make sure your website shows Google that you serve a specific location:

Add your city or region in your title tags, headings, and content
Include a contact page with your business address and embedded map
Use local structured data markup (schema) where possible
Create location pages if you serve multiple areas

Example: Instead of “plumbing services,” say “plumbing services in Birmingham”.

✅ 3. Use Local Keywords

Keywords are essential in any SEO strategy, but Local SEO keywords target your specific area. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find high-search-volume terms.

Examples of high-volume local SEO keywords:

"best hair salon in London"
"emergency electrician near me"
"digital marketing agency in Glasgow"
"SEO services in Manchester"
"local SEO company UK"

Use these in:

Website copy
Meta titles & descriptions
Image alt text
Blog content

✅ 4. Get Listed in Online Directories

Boost your local visibility with local citations:

Add your business to Yelp, Bing Places, Apple Maps, Yell, Foursquare
Make sure your NAP is consistent across all platforms
Submit to industry-specific directories

Every consistent listing strengthens your local SEO signals.

✅ 5. Create Local Content

Show you're part of the community:

Write blog posts like “Top 10 Cafés in Nottingham”
Cover local events, promotions, or news
Mention landmarks, neighbourhoods, or city names

This signals local relevance to both users and search engines.

✅ 6. Build Local Backlinks

Local backlinks help establish authority. Try:

Partnering with nearby businesses or blogs
Joining local business associations
Getting featured in local news outlets

These quality backlinks boost domain authority and your local ranking.

How Long Does Local SEO Take?

Local SEO is a long-term investment. You may see some quick wins within 30–60 days, but significant results typically come after 3 to 6 months of consistent effort.

Common Local SEO Mistakes to Avoid

Inconsistent NAP across listings
Ignoring or not responding to Google reviews
Keyword stuffing and duplicate content
Not having a mobile-friendly website
Failing to track and measure results

Fixing these can dramatically improve your local visibility.

Final Thoughts: Ready to Dominate Local Search?

Local SEO for businesses is no longer optional—it's a must. If you want to grow foot traffic, get more phone calls, and beat local competitors, a solid local SEO strategy is your ticket to success.

Let ClikLabs Boost Your Local SEO Rankings

At ClikLabs, we offer top-rated local SEO services tailored for UK businesses. Whether you're looking for:

SEO for small business
Google My Business optimisation
Local keyword research
SEO audits and reporting
Digital marketing for local visibility

we’re here to help you grow faster.

Contact Us Today

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????️ Services: Local SEO, Google Maps optimisation, link building, citation management, website SEO audits, mobile optimisation

Grow your traffic, get more leads, and convert local customers with ClikLabs Local SEO Services.

Get found. Get chosen. Grow your business.