Local SEO is a smart skill set to master, especially if you run a local business.
All local businesses, from law firms to restaurants to retailers to beauty salons, can benefit from local SEO.
why? Because Google is he one of the top platforms people use to find local businesses.
Whether you’re doing Local SEO for yourself or someone else, here are some easy and free ways to learn Local SEO from scratch.
Learning Local SEO as a Beginner
The following steps are just the beginning of learning local SEO, but we always recommend starting with the basics.
These are the building blocks for learning and honing your local SEO skills.
After that, it’s mostly a matter of practice, experience, and patience.
1. Start with a website
Your website is the prime testing ground for your local SEO strategy.
Some strategists even start with a basic “burner” website that they can afford to “break” to test their SEO skills first.
Whether you’re using WordPress, Squarespace, or another CMS (Content Management System), you should be able to start optimizing your website following SEO best practices.
These best practices are:
- Website optimization Content with local and non-local keywords.
- unique writing Title tag, meta description, page content.
- your optimization website speed mobile experience.
- traffic tracking Use analysis tools.
- optimizing image size and image alt text.
- Adding internal links to relevant content.
- new posting, engaging content.
- Scan with Fix technical SEO issues.
2. Learn SEO Tools
Most SEO tools quantify the number of users searching for a particular keyword, the amount of traffic on your website, and other metrics that apply to most websites, so both local and “regular” SEO can be used.
Popular SEO tools like Semrush and Ahrefs can help with keyword and competitor research, backlink analysis, and content optimization.
Learning these SEO tools is one of the best things you can do when starting to learn local SEO.
Most tools have their own guides or courses. Please be aware of these. You can learn how to use SEO tools directly from the source.
3. Optimize your content
SEO tools help you discover the keywords that users are searching to find websites like yours.
Once you’ve learned how to use these tools and find keywords based on search volume, competitiveness, and relevance, you can start optimizing your content.
Content optimization means determining the target keywords for your page or post, using that and related keywords throughout your content, and creating content that meets what people are searching for.
This applies to both local and non-local businesses.
4. Try Offsite SEO
“Offsite” SEO refers to SEO activities that take place outside of your website.
Most commonly, this means link building, directory outreach, PR, etc.
Once your website is optimized, you should aim to increase your website’s credibility with valuable backlinks.
This can be done by pitching valuable content to other businesses, contacting blogs, running PR campaigns, or submitting business information to directories.
Offsite SEO is very important for local businesses, so learn more with the resources and courses below.
Recommended skills
When it comes to learning local SEO, there are a few skills every business owner or strategist should strive for.
Some are practical, while others are “softer” skills that make local SEO easier and more fun.
Creativity
Even with all the tactical SEO tools and tricks you come across, you’ll eventually learn that creativity can go a long way.
Many business owners learn the basics, but creative problem solving makes all the difference.
Creativity is required to:
- Discover new keyword sets on target.
- figure out Engaging content ideas.
- come up with creative link building strategies.
- Take advantage of partnerships Relationships to improve your SEO.
- Optimize your content for conversionsnot just a click.
- Reach more people with content marketing.
- Overcome SEO Challenges simply.
Never underestimate the value of creativity and problem solving.
Patience
You may have heard that SEO is a long game.
In many cases this is true.
SEO can take time to produce results, especially if you operate in a competitive market.
Patience helps here.
Know that your hard work won’t always pay off right away.
And know that this is normal.
Much of what you do in SEO lays a solid foundation that will pay off later. It may not be visible at first, but doing things right (no shortcuts) will ultimately lead to success.
Google Search Console and Google Analytics are great free tools you can use to track your progress.
Be sure to set benchmarks when you first start and see how your site grows over time. Celebrate even the smallest victories!
content marketing
In SEO, “content is king”.
Content is what users read when they visit your website.
This is what users interact with on social media.
And it’s text or video that ultimately convinces customers to buy from you.
Content marketing skills such as email marketing, social media content, video marketing, and blogging can help your website perform better.
Better suited for creating great content and generating more views on multiple platforms.
A background in content marketing can help here.
website development
Website development is not a “must have” skill for SEO, but it is definitely beneficial.
People with a little bit of web development experience may find it easier to optimize their website and apply technical SEO fixes.
Consider taking a basic web development course or reading an online guide to website administration.
At a minimum, learn common terms that apply to websites and SEO.
Beyond that, you’ll learn a little bit about coding, technical implementation, mobile development, and more advanced skills.
Data and analytics
All strategists and business owners should learn the basics of data and analytics.
In most cases, this means being able to interpret data from Google Search Console and Google Analytics.
Some of the most common metrics to know are:
- impression.
- click.
- Search/keyword position.
- conversion speed.
- user.
- view.
- bounce rate.
- organic traffic.
- direct traffic.
- referral traffic.
Understanding these and how to find them in your analytics tool of choice will help you track the success of your SEO and marketing efforts.
online reading
Want to learn local SEO for free?
Fortunately, there are many online resources for beginners. We’ve rounded up some of our favourites!
- Local SEO for Beginners: Getting Started – Search Engine Journal shares a local SEO guide for beginners, from the beginning to more advanced tactics.
- Local SEO: The Definitive Guide to Improvement Your Local Search Rankings – A huge resource for learning local SEO. This guide includes best practices, professional strategies, tools, tips, and more.
- Local Search Marketing & Local SEO Strategy, Tips & Guides – Comprehensive compilation of local SEO strategies, tips and guides. If you want to find many local SEO tactics all in one place, here it is.
- What is Local SEO & Why Local Search Matters – What is local SEO and why is it important? The better you understand the philosophy behind local SEO, the better prepared you will be to craft a successful SEO plan for him.
- Local SEO | SEO Resources for All Skill Levels – Moz – Moz is a great resource for business owners and SEO strategists alike. Share resources for all skill levels here.
- Local SEO: The Complete Guide – Ahrefs – Ahrefs is the industry leader in SEO tools. Here’s a powerful local SEO guide and some tips on how to use Ahrefs to improve your local search strategy.
SEO course
There are so many SEO courses available. However, not all courses are created equal. Here are some of the top local SEO courses. All free.
Local SEO resource
Having worked primarily with law firms, local SEO is close and dear to me.
That’s why I write about this frequently in Search Engine Journal.
Below are some additional local SEO resources taken directly from my column on SEJ.
Learn the best local SEO
Many online guides, courses, and webinars teach local SEO from scratch. But the real magic of local SEO lies in hands-on experience.
So when I say “learning from the best” I mean learning from your own experiences, mistakes, trials and strategies.
The best way to find out what works for your website is to try different tactics, track your results, and adjust your strategy according to what you learn.
This is where the skills of creativity and perseverance come into play.
Ensure that your own creativity inspires your strategy and patience is invested in results. They will be rewarded!
Other resources:
Featured Image: Ground Photography / Shutterstock
