SEO is a term you probably heard of, especially when you own a business. SEO refers to search engine optimization. It is how your website appears in search tools such as Google. The higher you rank in search engines, the more individuals will pay a visit. However, here is a big question that many business owners ask: Should I use local or national SEO?
The difference between local and national SEO can help you decide the best option for your business. In this blog, we will explain what each involves, how they work, and which one might help you grow your business more quickly and effectively.
What Is Local SEO?
Local SEO applies to companies that have customers in a specific geographic area. It makes your services appear to people around you when they search online. To illustrate, when a person searches for a phrase like “coffee shop near me” or “Toronto bakery”, local SEO will ensure that your company appears in the search.
This form of SEO utilizes tools such as Google Business Profile (previously Google My Business), local directories, and customer reviews to help you appear in local search results. It also incorporates the employment of keywords containing the name of your city, town or neighbourhood, such as SEO service in Toronto.
According to SEO.AI, over 75% of local searches convert into leads, and 28% of local searches result in a purchase within 24 hours. This shows how effective local targeting can be for driving real business results. Therefore, if you have a restaurant, a hair salon, or a small shop, and you want to target the people living nearby, then local SEO is the solution.
What Is National SEO?
National SEO deals with connecting with people and customers nationwide, not necessarily in your city or neighbourhood. It is all about exposing your site to individuals within Canada, the U.S., or even worldwide.
Location-based keywords are not used in this kind of SEO. It aims at the more general search words that individuals search for regardless of their location. A national SEO campaign is ideal for those businesses that offer services or sell products online, deliver nationwide or work with customers in other parts of the country.
To attract a greater number of people, you will need to collaborate with a national SEO agency or contact an SEO professional who knows how to compete with larger brands online.
Local SEO vs National SEO: The Big Difference
When comparing local SEO to national SEO, consider your goals:
You should choose local SEO if your business is foot traffic-dependent, attracts local customers or needs an in-person meeting. It is excellent in the case of dentists, real estate agents, plumbers, fitness trainers, and so on.
Conversely, businesses that do not depend on a physical location are suited to national SEO. A national SEO strategy is better suited to you if you have an online shop, sell virtual goods, or offer online consultation and coaching services to individuals in other cities and towns.
The good news is that both forms of SEO can help you grow, but in quite different ways.
How Local SEO Helps Your Business
Local SEO will also enable you to be found by people in your locality who are willing to act. Whenever an individual types services using the words ‘near me’ or the name of the city, Google displays local results on the first page. Provided you have good SEO, your company can display in the local pack, also known as the top three results, which appear on Google Maps.
This is how local SEO would benefit your business:
- You receive increased foot traffic and phone calls.
- You reach those who are ready to purchase.
- You earn trust by reviewing and rating.
- Being convenient and nearby helps you compete with large brands.
Effective local SEO involves maintaining current information about your business, encouraging customer reviews, and ensuring that your site incorporates your location.
How National SEO Grows Your Reach
National SEO is wider. It is concerned with crafting quality content, developing good backlinks and ensuring your site is optimized with general search terms.
For example, when you are marketing nature-friendly skincare online, your aim may be to appear when an individual searches for a term like “best natural face wash” rather than “natural face wash in Toronto”.
A national SEO firm will assist you in competing with other brands nationally. They will create a strategy encompassing content marketing, keyword research, technical SEO, and backlink building. It is only with a long-term national SEO campaign that you will get the best results, but the rewards can be enormous.
This is what national SEO can do for your business:
- Attract more visitors from across the country.
- Build brand recognition and trust.
- Generate sales or leads online.
- Increase the ranking of your site on competitive keywords.
Collaborating with national SEO experts implies that you receive information and methods that keep you on top of the game.
When to Choose Local SEO
Use local SEO if you have customers from a particular location. This is typical of:
- Restaurants, food services, and cafes
- Clinics and doctors’ offices.
- Home services such as electricians and landscapers
- Family-owned gyms or studios
- Law offices or tutoring centres
You want your website to show up when someone in your area searches for your services or products. A good Toronto SEO service can help your Toronto-based business stand out among local competitors.
You don’t have to spend a lot of cash on local SEO, but it is time-consuming and effort-intensive. Claim your business on Google, get reviews, and post helpful content that speaks to local customers.
When to Choose National SEO
Choose national SEO if your business is not location-specific. This may comprise:
- Online shops
- Software companies
- Digital marketing agencies
- National brands
- Consultants and online coaches
A national SEO strategy is what you need when you want to sell or serve customers all over the country. This will assist you in competing with other firms that deal with similar products or services.
When you hire a national SEO agency, you also gain access to tools and knowledge that are not common among local businesses. They know how to develop a plan to increase your online visibility and drive more traffic to your site.
What to Expect from a National SEO Company
The best national SEO company will take time and work with you to learn about your business and your goals. They will do a complete audit of the site, identify proper keywords to target, and design a content strategy. They may also enhance the speed, design, and structure of your site.
SEO is time-consuming. It may take months or even longer, especially in a competitive industry. However, with the right team and strategy, your site will become an authoritative source of information, products, or services in your field.
When you are ready to scale it up to a national level, choose a leading national SEO firm with a good record. Ask clients to send case studies and reviews. You need a result-oriented partner.
How to Combine Local and National SEO
There are instances where your company may need both local and national SEO practices. Suppose you have a business based in Toronto that is selling products online, then you will want to rank well in Toronto searches as well as in national searches.
That’s where a clever SEO team steps in. They can help you balance both approaches by:
- Producing locally specific content about your site.
- Creating the content in general terms for a broader audience.
- Employing a combination of local and national keywords.
- Regularly updating your end-to-end Google Business profile and site.
A company that combines the two methods has the advantages of both. It is possible to develop a national brand with local growth.
The Role of SEO Consulting
When you’re unsure where to start, consider national SEO consulting. A specialist may examine your site and tell you how to improve it. They may also assist you in determining whether you need local or national SEO.
SEO consulting is excellent when you wish to do a few things yourself, but still want help. A countrywide SEO specialist can demonstrate to you where your site is lagging and what can be done to address these issues.
SEO does not have a one-size-fits-all. Your personal plan would yield you more results than taking general tips.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right SEO Path for Your Business
Which, then, should you use: local or national SEO?
Consider your audience. Where are they? Do they have to come to see you, or can they work with you everywhere? What are the searches they use in trying to find your services?
As a local company, focus on local SEO. Go national if you’re willing to expand online and reach more people across the country. When you do both, you need a strategy that combines the two.
Whichever you may prefer, SEO is among the most effective means of expanding your company on the Internet. It attracts long-term traffic, creates credibility and enables you to distinguish yourself among the competitors.
Work With Experts Who Understand SEO
At Mediaforce, we realize that no business is the same. Do you need assistance with local SEO, national SEO, or both? Our team is ready to assist you.
We provide professional SEO services in Toronto, but we can reach much further than that. Our national SEO marketing experts can help you establish a solid online presence that delivers results.
Whether it is developing the appropriate keywords or creating a comprehensive national SEO campaign, we will help you grow. We have assisted small local companies to become national brands-and we can do the same for you.
If you’re ready to achieve better search results, contact us to learn how we can help you choose the best SEO option for your business.
