Local SEO That Works: How to Target the Right Audience in Your Area
- 10com Web Development
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Make Your Business the Obvious Choice in Your Community
If your goal is to attract more local customers, mastering local SEO is the way to get there. It's how you show up when someone nearby searches for what you offer. Whether you're a small business or a growing brand, your local presence online needs to be intentional.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how to understand your local market, build a powerful Google Business Profile, use location-based keywords, and earn trust from search engines and your community.
Know Your Audience: It Starts with Local Market Research
You can’t target who you don’t understand. Strong local SEO starts by defining your audience.
Are you targeting families, young professionals, retirees, or business owners?
What neighborhoods do they live in? What do they care about most?
Use tools like Google Analytics and Meta Insights to study who visits your site and engages with your content. Then tailor your messaging, service offers, and visuals to resonate with them.
Also, watch your local competitors. Check what businesses rank in your area and reverse-engineer what they’re doing well. What are their reviews saying? What services are highlighted?
Want to stand out? Your design and SEO strategy should highlight what makes you different and better—and your community engagement plays a big role in that.
Optimize Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
Your Google Business Profile is your digital storefront. It must be complete, accurate, and updated regularly.
Confirm your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are exactly the same everywhere online
Upload fresh photos of your team, location, and services
Add categories, service areas, and business hours
Respond to every review—especially the tough ones
This is part of every Wix SEO setup we provide at 10com, because it’s one of the most powerful tools for dominating local search results.
Use Local Keywords Strategically
You’re not just trying to rank for “web designer”—you want to rank for “Fort Worth web designer” or “Chicago small business SEO services.”
To do this:
Use location-specific phrases naturally in headers, meta descriptions, and body content
Add city names in image alt text and page titles
Create separate pages for each location you serve, like our Dallas–Fort Worth web design page
This signals relevance to Google and helps you show up in more targeted local searches.
Explore our SEO service page to see how we integrate location keywords in ways that boost both traffic and trust.
Build Local Authority Through Citations and Links
Your NAP consistency across directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and local chamber of commerce listings builds credibility.
But you should also:
Get listed on niche industry directories
Earn backlinks from local partnerships, events, and sponsorships
Contribute to local blogs or media outlets
We can help you do this as part of our press release and citation strategies. Local SEO isn't just about visibility—it's about being recognized as an expert in your community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to improve local SEO?
Optimize your Google Business Profile, ensure consistent NAP information, and start earning positive local reviews.
How do I use keywords for local SEO?
Include your city, neighborhood, or service area in titles, headers, body copy, and image alt text—naturally.
Why are backlinks important for local SEO?
Local backlinks from credible businesses or directories increase your domain authority and help you rank better in map results.
What should I do if my competitors always outrank me?
Audit their site and listings, then improve on what they’re doing. Add reviews, content, backlinks, and community involvement.
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