Search engine optimization (SEO) can be a confusing concept to navigate. With so many different strategies to consider, it can be challenging to determine which approach is right for your business. Local SEO and organic SEO are two commonly used tactics, but what’s the difference between the two?
Local SEO
Local SEO is all about optimizing your online presence to attract more local customers. This includes optimizing your Google My Business (GMB) listing with your local address, phone number, and hours of operation, as well as generating local reviews and citations on other local websites.
Some key factors that influence local SEO include:
- Relevance: how well your business matches what the user is searching for
- Proximity: how close your business is to the user’s location
- Prominence: how well-known and established your business is, both online and offline
Local SEO is especially important for small businesses that serve a specific geographic area. By optimizing your local presence, you can increase your visibility within your community and attract more local customers.
Organic SEO
Organic SEO, on the other hand, is focused on optimizing your website and content to rank higher in the organic search results. This includes optimizing your website’s technical SEO, such as optimizing your site speed and mobile responsiveness, as well as conducting keyword research to identify the keywords and phrases your target audience is searching for.
Some key factors that influence organic SEO include:
- Content quality: how informative and valuable your content is to the user
- Backlinks: how many high-quality external websites link back to your website
- User experience: how easy your website is to navigate and use
Organic SEO is important for businesses that want to attract organic traffic from all over the world, not just their local area. By focusing on organic SEO, you can increase your visibility in the search results and attract more traffic to your website.
So What’s the Difference?
The main difference between local SEO and organic SEO is their focus. Local SEO is focused on attracting local customers, while organic SEO is focused on attracting a wider audience from around the world.
Local SEO is all about optimizing your local presence, such as your Google My Business listing and your local reviews and citations. These factors don’t have a significant impact on your organic search rankings.
Organic SEO, on the other hand, is all about optimizing your website and content to rank higher in the organic search results. While local factors don’t have a significant impact on your organic rankings, factors like content quality and backlinks are essential for organic SEO success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which one is better: Local or Organic SEO?
It depends on your business’s goals and target audience. If you’re a local business that primarily serves a specific geographic area, local SEO is the way to go. If your business caters to a wider audience, organic SEO should be your focus.
Can I do both Local and Organic SEO?
Absolutely! In fact, the most successful SEO strategies incorporate both local and organic SEO. By optimizing your local presence and your website and content, you can attract both local and global customers.
How long does it take to see results from Local or Organic SEO?
SEO is a long-term game, and it can take several months to start seeing results. That being said, local SEO results tend to be faster than organic SEO results since you’re targeting a smaller audience. The key is to be patient and consistent with your SEO efforts.