The Difference between Local SEO and Organic SEO
Local SEO is a search engine optimization strategy that ranks a website in Google for locations near a business. In contrast, Organic SEO is all about ranking a site in Google without any geographic restrictions. One of the significant benefits of using Local SEO is that it can help drive traffic to a business faster than other methods. The critical difference between local SEO and organic SEO is natural search engine ranking and understanding the user intent behind each search query.
Local SEO has a Geographical Component, while Organic SEO is Not Locally Based
Organic SEO and Local SEO both use search engine optimization (SEO) to increase visibility, site authority and generate website traffic, but they go about it in different ways. Organic SEO involves ranking a website site for keywords that potential customers might be searching for, no matter where they are located. Local SEO strategy focuses on locations near a specific business location. Local search results send visitors to a brick-and-mortar store to buy products. If someone Googles “keyword here near me,” they may see organic SEO results for local or nationally ranked positions instead of strictly local positions. Both strategies rely on keyword relevance within a market or industry and provide web users with pages that contain valuable information.
Local SEO Can be More Expensive than Organic SEO
Local SEO is the recommended internet marketing strategy because it can help drive traffic through a Google Business Profile (GBP). Fewer businesses practice local SEO than organic SEO, which means that the demand for Local SEO professionals is higher. This creates a limited number of Local SEO professionals, which means that prices will be higher. A Google Business Profile can be harder to rank in the local ‘three-pack” than a website to rank organically.
Local SEO is More Complex than Organic SEO
To rank higher in search engines for keywords with Organic SEO, a business should focus on writing content that includes audience-targeted keywords, solves a search query or answer a question, and delivers informative content to a potential consumer. With local SEO, there are many more factors that go into improving rankings in a Geo-targeted area. A company will want to ensure that the business information (Name, Address, and Phone Number) is listed correctly on search engines, local directory sites, and social media. Local SEO also involves using tactics like claiming the Google Business Profile page and filling out all of its information correctly, optimizing the website for local related keywords, and setting up a citation profile on directories with consistent NAP (name, address & phone number).
Organic SEO has Long-term Benefits
Organic SEO and Local SEO services both have long-term and short-term benefits. Organic search results will continue to drive national USA traffic to a website even after optimizing for specific keywords. In contrast, with a focus on a particular place, Local SEO can only help bring in new local customers.
Local SEO Affects A Brand Name, While Organic SEO Builds Consumer Trust
When a business optimizes for local keywords with Local SEO, potential customers can see the business profile on their mobile device when they search near that area. These SERP listings can affect a brand name increasing impressions enabling potential customers to become familiar with a business name and logo. Consumers know what to expect when they visit the website or call. Organic SEO is about optimizing the content on the website, but it doesn’t impact the type of brands that people see online, like appearing in the Local SEO GMP three-pack.
Organic SEO Delivers On-page Optimization, Local SEO Focuses More On Off-page Optimization
Organic SEO and Local SEO are both driven by off-page factors that search engines use to rank websites. However, Local SEO has more to do with managing an online presence with a Google Business Profile and social media marketing. Organic SEO focuses more on the content found on a web page and the structure of the entire website. Local SEO requires tactics like creating citations with a consistent NAP and building a solid citation profile rank well locally in search engines. Understanding local keywords that drive traffic, how to develop high-quality content for local keywords, and what type of content works best are all part of Organic SEO.
Organic SEO can be Time-consuming
It’s impossible to rank in search engines without investing a lot of time and effort into understanding how search engines work. SEO agencies have access to expensive software and data to help them understand how a search algorithm works and to make educated campaign decisions. However, with Local SEO, it is easy to get started because the main focus is on adding links and content about the business to directories and on social media. It is essential to make sure the information on every page of your website is consistent with providing good insights for consumers.
Organic SEO Requires Substantial Research
Organic SEO requires a lot of research and data to determine which keywords and phrases to optimize for, create high-quality content around these topics, and which backlinks have the most impact. A business will want to learn as much as possible about keyword research before starting an SEO campaign because it’s not easy to switch from one set of keywords that are driving traffic to another set of keywords. Local SEO takes less time to get started with an online presence, but doing it correctly means getting a lot of positive business reviews, creating citations, and continually posting updates to the Google Business Profile.
Organic SEO and Local SEO take time and effort to learn and manage, but they both work in different ways and help a business rank higher online. Businesses need to understand the strategies used for each type of search engine optimization to get started with ranking online in search engines like Google.