Local vs. Organic SEO: What’s the Difference Between the Two?

For many small businesses, the pandemic forced a dramatic change in their online approach. For some, it meant creating an online presence from scratch. Early on, the focus was on essentials like finding hosting, building their websites, and integrating eCommerce options.

After a year or two online, though, most businesses have a decent handle on their online essentials. Now, they’re looking for ways to hone their digital business marketing. That’s where search engine optimization enters the pictures.

Unfortunately, SEO is complicated. For example, do you need organic SEO, local SEO, or both? What is the difference between those two things anyway?

If that’s a question you’re struggling with right now, keep reading for our quick guide.

What Is Organic SEO?

Organic SEO is something of a catch-all term for things that website owners do that make search engines like and rank their pages better. The idea is that ranking better means more traffic and, ideally, more sales.

Websites use a variety of tactics set out by the search engines themselves to achieve this goal, such as:

• Image optimization
• Keyword targeting
• Unique content
• Regular content updates
• Site design, such as mobile readiness

Most websites also employ link-building strategies. On clear on what goes into link building? You can learn more at https://www.thehoth.com/learn/local/seo/link-building/.

What is Local SEO?

As SEO trends go, local SEO is a fairly new one. What local SEO aims to do is generate sales for a local business, typically at a brick-and-mortar location.

Let’s say that you own Lou’s Slice. It’s a pizza joint in Memphis, TN. Despite the fact that Internet can reach almost anyone, almost anywhere in the world, your customers live in Memphis.

That means you need tactics that draw local attention. One of those tactics is a Google Business profile that will, hopefully, get you onto the local map that Google displays after people search for a specific kind of business.

Another method is what’s called localized content. That means content that uses keywords specific to your location, such as city or even neighborhood names.

What’s the Difference?

While there is some divergence in tactics, the real difference between organic SEO and local SEO is the focus. Organic SEO methods raise the profile for your website for the entire internet or at least your country based on things like your industry. Local SEO methods raise your website’s profile for a specific location, like the town where it’s located.

Organic SEO, Local SEO, and You

Organic SEO and local SEO serve different ends for a business. They can also coexist for businesses that serve both a local market and provide products or services that don’t require local contact.

Overall, though, organic SEO elevates your website’s profile for the entire internet with the goal of drawing in traffic from potential customers all over hte country. Local SEO very specifically targets customers from your local community.

Looking for more digital business marketing tips and tricks. Check out some of our Internet Tips posts over in our Internet section.