Local SEO (Local Search Engine Optimization) is a branch of SEO that focuses on optimizing a business to appear in local search results—especially on Google Search and Google Maps.
It’s perfect for businesses that serve a specific geographic area, like restaurants, clinics, salons, repair shops, law firms, etc.
📍 How Local SEO Works
Local SEO helps your business show up when people nearby search for things like:
- “Best pizza near me”
- “Dentist in [City Name]”
- “24-hour electrician in [Area]”
Here’s how it works step-by-step:
1. Google Business Profile (GBP)
Formerly called Google My Business, this is crucial.
- You set up and verify your profile.
- Add your business name, address, phone number, website, hours, photos, services, etc.
- This listing shows in Google Maps and the Local Pack (top 3 business results in search).
✅ Tip: Keep your info accurate and consistent across the web.
2. Local Keywords
Optimize your website and content with keywords that include location-based terms, like:
- “Plumber in Gulshan Dhaka”
- “Coffee shop near Dhanmondi”
Add them naturally to:
- Page titles & meta descriptions
- Headings and body content
- Image alt text and URLs
3. NAP Consistency
NAP = Name, Address, Phone Number
- Your business info should be identical across your website, social media, local directories (like Yelp, Bing Places, etc.).
- Inconsistency can hurt your rankings.
4. Local Citations
These are mentions of your business (with or without a link) on online directories and websites.
Examples:
- Yelp
- Yellow Pages
- TripAdvisor
- Local news sites
The more accurate and consistent your citations, the better your local SEO.
5. Reviews and Ratings
Online reviews help with both ranking and reputation.
- Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews on Google.
- Respond to all reviews (good and bad) to build trust.
- High star ratings + active replies = stronger local presence.
6. Localized Website Content
Create pages or blog posts targeting specific locations or services in different areas.
Examples:
- “Top 5 Coffee Shops in Uttara”
- “Why Our Dental Clinic is the Best in Chattogram”
7. Mobile Optimization
Since many local searches happen on mobile, your website must be:
- Fast
- Mobile-friendly
- Easy to navigate
- Click-to-call enabled
🔍 Example of Local SEO in Action
If someone in Mirpur, Dhaka searches “barber shop near me,” Google will:
- Use their location.
- Show a map with top-rated nearby barbers (Local Pack).
- Pull listings from Google Business Profiles with good reviews, accurate info, and optimized content.
Want me to show how a specific type of business (like a restaurant or salon) can improve their local SEO step-by-step?
