Local SEO helps businesses appear in location-based searches. When users search for "near me" or include a city name, Google shows results from the Local Pack—and local SEO determines who appears there.
Your free listing on Google Maps and Search
Consistent NAP across directories
Local keywords and location pages
| Element | Best Practice |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Exact legal name (no keyword stuffing) |
| Categories | Primary category + relevant secondary categories |
| Address | Consistent format across all listings |
| Phone | Local phone number (not toll-free) |
| Hours | Accurate and up-to-date, including holidays |
| Description | Detailed description with local keywords |
| Photos | High-quality images of business, products, team |
| Posts | Regular updates, offers, and news |
NAP stands for Name, Address, Phone. Consistency across all platforms is crucial for local SEO.
Same format everywhere
Variations confuse search engines
Citations are mentions of your business on other websites, with or without links.
If you serve multiple locations, create dedicated location pages with:
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"name": "Business Name",
"image": "https://example.com/logo.jpg",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "123 Main Street",
"addressLocality": "Springfield",
"addressRegion": "IL",
"postalCode": "62701"
},
"telephone": "+1-555-123-4567",
"openingHours": "Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00",
"geo": {
"@type": "GeoCoordinates",
"latitude": 39.7817,
"longitude": -89.6501
}
}
</script>