When it comes to making sure your website gets noticed, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is key. But did you know there are different ways to approach SEO? If you’ve ever heard the terms local SEO and organic SEO, you might be wondering how they’re different. Both are about getting your site higher in search engine results, but they do so in different ways. Let’s break it down.
Organic SEO: Reaching a Bigger Audience
So, what exactly is organic SEO? At its core, organic SEO is about optimizing your website to rank for broad search terms. When you optimize for organic SEO, you’re trying to show up in search engine results without paying for ads. This method focuses on making sure your website is structured well, your content is high quality, and you’re getting backlinks from reputable sites.
Let’s say you run an online store selling clothing, and you want to rank for terms like “best summer dresses” or “online clothing store.” With organic SEO, you’d optimize your website to show up for those terms, regardless of where the person searching is located. It’s all about getting your website seen by as many people as possible, no matter where they are.
Key things to focus on with organic SEO:
Using the right keywords in your content
Writing useful and relevant content that answers people’s questions
Building backlinks from other trusted websites
Ensuring your site is fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to use
Local SEO: Focusing on People Nearby
Local SEO, on the other hand, is all about getting your business seen by people who are nearby. This is especially useful if you have a physical store or offer services in a particular area. When people search for things like “best coffee shop near me” or “plumber in [city name],” local SEO helps your business appear in these results.
With local SEO, you’re not trying to rank for broad, national search terms. Instead, you want to show up for searches that people make when they’re looking for something close by. For example, if you own a bakery in Austin, you want to make sure you appear when someone in Austin searches for “fresh donuts nearby.”
Here are some things to focus on with local SEO:
Claiming and optimizing your Google My Business listing
Getting listed in local online directories
Encouraging customers to leave reviews
Creating content that speaks to your community
Getting backlinks from local websites or blogs
Local SEO vs. Organic SEO: What’s the Difference?
Now that we have an idea of what each type of SEO does, let’s break down the differences.
1. Who Are You Trying to Reach?
The biggest difference is the audience. Organic SEO targets a wide audience, so if you’re looking to reach people all over the country (or even the world), organic SEO is the way to go. For example, if you sell products online that can be shipped anywhere, you’d focus on organic SEO.
On the flip side, local SEO is all about reaching people who are close by. If you’re a business like a local gym, a coffee shop, or a plumber, local SEO is what will help you get seen by the right people the ones in your neighborhood or city.
2. How Search Results Look
When you search for something online, you’ve probably noticed that results aren’t always the same. With organic SEO, you’ll mostly see a list of websites ranked based on their relevance to your search. The results are based on a variety of factors, including keyword usage, site quality, and authority.
With local SEO, you’ll often see a map with businesses highlighted on it. These are the local results, and you’ll see things like business hours, addresses, and phone numbers right there in the search results. For example, searching for “best taco restaurant near me” will show you a map of local spots along with ratings and reviews.
3. What’s Helping Your Ranking?
The ranking factors for organic SEO and local SEO differ. For organic SEO, Google looks at things like:
How well your website is optimized (e.g., keywords, content, user experience)
How many quality backlinks you have
How your website performs in terms of speed and mobile compatibility
With local SEO, Google also takes location into account. The proximity of your business to the searcher is key. Other factors that play a role in local ranking include:
Your Google My Business listing (and how well it’s filled out)
Customer reviews and ratings
Mentions of your business on local websites and directories (this is called a citation)
4. What Content Should You Create?
For organic SEO, the content you create should target broad search queries. This could include in-depth blog posts, product pages, or resources that answer general questions. For example, a website selling outdoor gear might create content around topics like “how to choose the best hiking boots” or “10 tips for camping in the wilderness.”
For local SEO, content should be more specific to your location. Local businesses can write about local events, partnerships with nearby organizations, or news relevant to the community. If you own a coffee shop in San Francisco, you might create content like “Top 5 things to do in San Francisco this weekend” or “How to make the perfect SF-style latte.”
5. Google My Business: A Game Changer for Local SEO
One of the most important tools for local SEO is Google My Business (GMB). When you claim and optimize your GMB listing, your business has a much better chance of showing up in local search results. This includes having accurate contact information, business hours, and a good number of reviews.
For organic SEO, GMB doesn’t play a part. Instead, the focus is on your website’s overall optimization.
6. Backlinks vs. Citations
Backlinks are crucial for organic SEO. The more high-quality websites that link to your site, the better your chances of ranking well. It’s all about authority—Google sees backlinks as votes of confidence from other sites.
For local SEO, citations are just as important as backlinks. Citations are mentions of your business on other websites (like local directories or review sites), even if there’s no link. The key is consistency—your name, address, and phone number (NAP) need to be consistent across the web to help Google trust that your business is legitimate.
Which SEO Should You Use?
So, which one should you focus on local SEO or organic SEO? Well, it depends on your business. If you’re a small business with a physical location, like a coffee shop or a local gym, local SEO should be your priority. But if you’re selling products or services that can be shipped or delivered anywhere, then organic SEO is your best bet.
In many cases, it’s not an either/or situation. You can focus on both! A business with a local presence can still benefit from organic SEO by creating content that appeals to a broader audience, while also using local SEO to attract nearby customers.
Wrapping Up
Whether you’re focused on local SEO or organic SEO, both approaches can help you get more visibility online. The key is understanding your business needs and your target audience. If you’re looking for help with either, SEOexpertly.us can assist you in creating the right strategy for your business. We specialize in helping businesses grow their online presence and drive more traffic to their websites. Reach out today to get started!