New website owners are often confused with different options when it comes to SEO optimization. Firstly, they need to differentiate between Global SEO vs Local SEO. Proper optimization will ensure you reach your goals and make the most out of your online presence. In this article, we will discuss the main differences between global and local SEOs. Also, we’ll share the best ways to utilize them for your website. Find out which one of these two you should use and optimize your website in the best way possible.
Global SEO vs Local SEO – the basic differences
Firstly, let’s go through the basics of SEO. Search Engine Optimization is simply making tweaks to your website, ensuring your traffic increases. Global SEO is the main point of it and refers to the website optimization that organically brings new visitors to your website. However, that traffic needs to have some quality, too. Quality traffic includes new visitors who found what they were looking for on your website. The whole point of it is building topical presence just about anywhere in the world as long as they understand your language. Luckily the whole world speaks English by now. This is hitting the target audience by offering high-quality content, products, or services.
On the other hand, we have local SEO, the subcategory of SEO. The main focus on local SEO is region and geography. The whole point of it is building an online presence in a local area which is very important if you are selling anything.
Local Search Optimization
Local SEO is a way of focusing Global SEO on a specific geographical area. This type of optimization is more about attracting locals to the store in your city. Local SEO serves as a preview of what your customers can expect when they come to the premises. Surely, local search engine optimization increases the traffic on your website and can be a great way to connect with visitors.
Everything that helps your business stand out is very important! You want to be noticeable and you need to find some good tips for getting more traffic. Local SEO can help your business to stand out even if you don’t have a website. Of course, having a website is very important but if it’s in the making you can still benefit from local search optimization. It can drive traffic through your premises through online leads. That can also improve your conversation rate.
Global Search Optimization
Now let’s discuss this one separately. You need Global search optimization because you want your site to be comprehendible and accessible to an international audience, you want the whole world to be able to see you. That’s why you need to be able to rank both in USA and France for example. French do know English and even if you are just selling something – there is shipping like FedEx and maybe you can sell your product to them this way. This is the reason why you need to focus on Global SEO if you haven’t by now.
Keywords as a difference between Global SEO and Local SEO
Another difference between Global SEO vs Local SEO is the keywords. Global SEO focuses on global keywords – phrases that are large-scale and attract more people to the website. On the other hand, local SEO uses modified keywords that are related to a specific city or area.
Here we can conclude that global SEO is perfect for businesses that are looking for national or global visibility, whereas locally optimized websites shift focus to a specific area or city. The main thing about running a successful website is to know your goal. Defining your target audience will help you select the right method, and opt for the best global or local SEO practices.
Do I need both?
As you can see from the text above both of these search optimizations are very important for your SEO and you need them both since they do very different things. Some businesses will need only local SEO and some will need both but now we cleared things up and you alone can decide which one is more important for you or if you need both. If you are still unclear about some things you just read about you can continue your research on Link Department and find the answers to all your question involving your SEO strategy. Or you can hire professionals to help you.
Outsourcing SEO
This can be a good decision for you. It’s hard to focus on every aspect of your business. Now you know that there are people who can help you with this part. You just need to know how to outsource your SEO properly and you are good to go. Luckily we left you here a great solution and after reading you will know how to do it like a pro and you will benefit from it later.
The best global SEO practices
If you feel that your business would benefit more from a more global approach, be sure to conduct these SEO practices:
- use keywords that are related to your business and the industry;
- make your website user-friendly – competing on the global market means you’ll have to do your best to make people stay on your website. One of the ways to do it is to increase the load speed and create a more user-friendly website. Furthermore, be sure to use simple and bigger fonts, high-quality images, and have a mobile-friendly website version as well;
- add content that gives more information about the business, but also additional details about the industry, tips, tutorials, etc;
- try hard to earn high-quality backlinks that will prove your reputation and make your business trustworthy as backlinks matter in global SEO.
Local SEO – how to reach your target audience?
Local SEO strategies focus on attracting local searchers to the website, but also to your office/store. That’s why local SEO methods are a bit more specific and require better insight into your target audience. Let’s go through the main points of perfecting your local SEO and directly helping your business.
Keywords are your best friends
Keyphrases are what connect a user to a website. As a local business, you need to find a way to reach the people from your area. This means the keywords you use to create content and optimize the website are supposed to be specific and relevant to your target customers. Use tools such as Google Keyword Planner to find out what are the popular search phrases in a selected area. This will help you optimize your content and make it visible to the locals.
Use GMB
Google My Business is one of the first things you should do when setting up your website and starting a business. Having a profile on GMB makes Google rank you better, but also lets you interact with customers, improve your online presence, etc.
Try to get more reviews
Online reviews are recommendations to other customers and proof of the quality of your business. Try to get more of those by encouraging your customers to make a review after the purchase, send e-mail reminders, etc. Furthermore, it’s best if you found time to interact with your customers by replying to the existing reviews. Make sure you deal with both positive and negative reviews in the best way possible.
Go mobile
A mobile-friendly website is a must for all local businesses. The reason is that almost all local searches happen through mobile phones. People use them to find certain businesses or services on maps, and that’s why you need to make sure your business is also discoverable.
Take advantage of local events
Stories and events that are currently popular in your area can be a great source of traffic to your website. Use this topic to create content and attract more visitors. Surely, you should pick only the stories that make sense with the nature of your business, and the ones you can actually say something about.
Get high-quality backlinks
Backlinks are an extremely important part of every SEO strategy. Link building is a confirmation of the quality of your services and goods, which attracts more new customers. However, make sure you get backlinks from relevant and trustworthy sources, to make sure you get the best results.
Let’s discuss money – Global SEO vs. Local SEO
If you are wondering about the costs of these SEO campaigns we found some answers for you. Before we start we need to tell you that prices vary depending on what kind of results you want to achieve and of course the rates of the company you decide. No matter which company you choose you need to check on them regularly to make sure that the SEO company you choose is helping your website and not killing it.
- depending on your needs and the rates of the company you choose you will pay for Local SEO between $300 and $2,000 per month (of course your geographical location can be an important factor when the company gives you their price) – the prices for Global SEO are pretty similar
- overseas SEO companies can charge you more so maybe you want to keep outsourcing local, they can charge $10-$50 an hour which is not a small sum monthly
To pick between Global SEO vs Local SEO, you need to clearly understand the nature of your business, know your competitors, and set goals. A clear plan will lead you to a clear strategy that will result in more revenues and satisfied customers.