Many growing brands don’t realize that 46% of all Google searches have local intent. But not every SEO strategy helps you show up for those searches.
There’s Local SEO, which helps you get in front of customers nearby who are searching for businesses like yours. Then there’s Traditional (or National) SEO, which helps you reach a wider audience.
So, if your business depends on local customers or foot traffic, choosing the right type of SEO could be the difference between having a steady flow of people coming through your doors or missing out on them altogether.
In this post, we’ll discuss what each type of SEO does, who should use it, and how to figure out which one is the best for your brand.
Local SEO: Helping Nearby Customers Find You First
If your business depends on being found by people in your neighborhood or city, then Local SEO is where you need to focus.
Here’s what it’s all about:
- Optimizing your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business).
- Make sure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP citations) are consistent across local directories.
- Encouraging local reviews on platforms like Yelp, Google, and Facebook.
- Using location-based keywords, like “plumber in Reno”.
- Showing up in the Local Pack (that map with pins at the top of Google results).
For brick-and-mortar brands trying to grow, being at the top of that map can mean more people walking in, calling, or checking out your website.
Traditional SEO: Ranking for Searches That Don’t Depend on Location
Traditional SEO is all about getting your site to show up in Google non-local searches. So, whether someone’s browsing from Boston or Boise, you want your content to appear right when people are searching for products or services like yours.
Here’s what goes into it:
- Finding the right keywords that aren’t tied to a specific location.
- Publishing helpful, in-depth blog posts that answer real customer questions.
- Earning links from other trustworthy websites.
- Making sure your site runs fast, works on mobile, and is easy for Google to read.
- Tuning up your site’s metadata, schema, and the overall experience for visitors.
If you have an online shop, you’re probably not focused on a specific location; you want people to find you in national searches. Traditional SEO helps your website show up higher in Google results, so you can reach shoppers everywhere.
How Local and Traditional SEO Work Together
Local SEO and Traditional SEO work even better together. When you combine both, your business shows up for people searching nearby and for those browsing from anywhere else.
Take a local bakery shop as an example. A marketing agency in Reno helps people in your area find you for searches like “cakes near me” or “cakes in Reno,” which brings more visitors right to your taproom.
But if you also share recipes on your blog or sell baking kits to customers nationwide, traditional SEO helps you get found by people everywhere who love baking. You’ll show up in searches like “how to bake a birthday cake” or “best frosting recipe”, which aren’t connected to any specific place.
So, Local SEO gets people through your front door, and Traditional SEO lets your brand grow beyond your zip code. Together, they help locals discover you, bring in online visitors, and support both the in-person and digital sides of your business.
The Must-Have SEO Tools
You don’t need a few trusted tools that can help you stay organized, track progress, and build momentum, whether you’re optimizing locally or want to show up in national searches.
For Local SEO
These tools make it easier to keep your business information accurate, collect customer reviews, and get noticed in those “near me” searches.
Google Business Profile
It’s your shop’s virtual front door. Make sure your hours, address, and reviews are accurate. This makes it easy for new customers to find you in local searches and on Google Maps.
BrightLocal or Whitespark
Your business name, address, and phone number should match everywhere people might find you, from Facebook to Yelp. Tools like BrightLocal and Whitespark help you keep these details consistent, so Google sees your business as reliable.
Podium or Grade.us
Reviews can boost your rank in local search results. Podium and Grade.us make it simple to ask customers for feedback and track what they’re saying about you on Google and Yelp, so you can reply quickly.
For Traditional SEO
Use these to research keywords, track backlinks, and optimize blog posts or product pages for a national audience.
SEMRush or Ahrefs
These tools help you figure out which search terms to focus on, find out what your competitors are doing, and spot new websites that mention or link to you.
Yoast SEO
Yoast gives you hands-on advice as you write, like reminding you to add alt-text to images, breaking down your sentences to improve clarity, or flagging if you forgot to add a meta description.
Google Search Console + Google Analytics
These free tools help you track which devices your visitors use, which pages they click on most, and alert you about issues like broken links or slow-loading pages that could make your site less visible in search.
And if you’d rather leave the technical stuff to someone else, you could always team up with a local SEO agency in Reno that understands the market and has a track record of helping businesses grow online.
Final Thoughts
SEO helps you show up where your customers are searching. If you’re a growing brand, now’s the perfect time to learn how your customers look for businesses like yours, and make sure they find you, right when they need you.
Local SEO helps people nearby discover you. Traditional SEO helps your brand grow and reach even more people. And if you want someone to walk you through the process, teaming up with an experienced Local SEO agency in Reno can help you set your business up for long-term success.
Author Bio :
Cody Knight, Branding Expert & Owner of Wildish Agency, helps businesses stand out with bold, strategic branding that drives real results and lasting impact.
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