SEO (search engine optimization) is one of the significant tools for calling potential customers and reaching out to them. A cost-effective method, it has proved its worth time and again. Most people do not pay much heed to local SEO and concentrate on organic SEO without realizing how important the former is. So, let us get to know about the differences between SEO and local SEO.
SEO vs local SEO
Organic SEO
SEO happens to be a marketing practice involving the optimization of your website. This is to ensure that it is search engine friendly and receives a high ranking in the search engine results. It does not include a local element because more times than not, it is not associated with a brick-and-mortar store/shop/business.
Organic SEO is great for those companies, which don’t have a geographical location but are an internet-based business. Bloggers sites, e-commerce websites, affiliate marketers, etc. make the most of this particular tool. It is mostly noticed that sites which can provide with high value to the users are ranked higher in the SERPs. Organic SEO helps growing businesses garner the traffic they need, to grow as a company.
What is local SEO?
Internet marketing companies believe that Local SEO is more for local businesses which are physical/standalone stores or even a chain enterprise. In this method, the results are more region-specific and show results which are relevant to a city or locality.
The effects include average customer ratings and contact information about the place. You may also find directions, addresses, and operations mentioned as well.
It is a geographical search which contains different keywords compared to organic or general SEO. This method of SEO is chosen, when someone is searching for, say a milk dairy in their locality. It helps in bringing service seekers to learn about real businesses around them and pick one, based on the feedback of the service. Those businesses with relevant and trusted locations are given more preference and are ranked higher in search engines.
The main differences
The location: As mentioned above, organic SEO is for those websites operating without a geographic location. There is no brick-and-mortar business involved in the process. So SEO companies believe that blogs, articles, digital magazines, social media profiles, etc. benefit from general SEO. Local SEO is associated with a brick-and-mortar business, which is physically present for customers. The user’s location is taken into consideration when dealing with local SEO.
Global SEO VS local SEO – The difference in SERPS
The actual target of SEO is to rank high in search engine listings all thanks to keywords. Local SEO, on the other hand, is all about being a part of the local listing packs. Local SEO also involves essential factors like address, phone number, opening and closing hours, etc.
Both on-page and off-page optimization need headings, tags, meta-descriptions, well-written content, anchor texts, etc. Local SEO depends on Google listings to make a place in the essential directories across the web. A lot also depends on the customer reviews and local content regarding the business.
The choice of selecting either of the two forms of SEO entirely depends on the nature of your business. If your company is not tied to a physical location, then general or organic SEO will keep your boat afloat, but if you have a business which provides services in a particular area, then local SEO is what you must opt for.
SEO is a handy marketing tool, and local SEO helps with location-based searching. It allows users to submit geographically constrained searched which helps in getting across to local businesses. It is an excellent way of promoting your enterprise locally.