SEO vs. Local SEO: Which Strategy Is Right for You?
Updated: 21 Jun 2024
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Have you ever wondered about SEO vs. Local SEO? If the question crossed your mind, you’re not alone.
This article simplifies the differences between these crucial digital marketing methods. We’ll explain how SEO improves website visibility globally while Local SEO targets specific locations.
And by the end, you’ll grasp both approaches and how to maximize them for your online visibility.
Definitions and Objectives: SEO vs. Local SEO
Let’s dive into the basics of SEO and Local SEO.
SEO
- Definition: SEO, also known as traditional SEO or global SEO, is about making your website rank higher in search results. This means your site can show up locally and globally when people search for related topics.
- Objectives: The main goal of SEO is to increase your website’s visibility and attract more visitors. By optimizing your site’s content, keywords, and structure, you aim to rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs).
- Example: Imagine you’re writing an article about different types of SEO strategies. With good SEO practices, your article could appear at the top of search results when people search for topics related to SEO, whether in your city or worldwide.
Local SEO
- Definition: Local SEO is about getting your website noticed by people in specific local areas, like your city or neighborhood. It focuses on optimizing your online presence to attract customers nearby.

- Objectives: The main aim of Local SEO is to improve your visibility in local search results, especially when people are looking for products or services in your area. This helps businesses like local software houses or shops connect with nearby customers.
- Example: Let’s say you run a software house in your city. With effective Local SEO, when someone in your city searches for “software development services,” your company’s website will appear at the top of the search results, making it easier for potential clients in your area to find you.
SEO vs. Local SEO: Key Differences
Let’s take a closer look at the fundamental differences between SEO and Local SEO:
1. Target Audience
- SEO: Traditional SEO has a large target audience, with the opportunity to reach people across the country or worldwide. This means that your website seeks to attract people from all around the world looking for relevant topics.
- Local SEO: In contrast, Local SEO focuses on a specific geographical area. It’s all about connecting with individuals in your community or region, such as a city, town, or neighborhood. This is especially useful for businesses that serve customers in a specific location.
2. Keywords
- SEO: In SEO, the emphasis is on using broad, general types of keywords that aren’t tied to any particular location. These keywords try to grab the interest of various kinds of searchers, regardless of location.
- Local SEO: Local SEO relies on keywords with specific geographic terms, such as city or area names, or search terms with local intent. For example, instead of simply targeting “software house,” you might optimize for phrases like “best software house in [city]” or “software house near me,” which are more likely to attract local customers.
3. Website Optimization
- SEO: Traditional SEO optimizes many areas of your website to increase its overall visibility in search engine results. This includes optimizing website structure, increasing content quality, and improving user experience to make your site more desirable to search engines and visitors.
- Local SEO: Local SEO, in addition to basic website optimization strategies, focuses on optimizing your website for local search queries. This involves using local keywords throughout your content and displaying crucial location information like your company’s name, address, and phone number (NAP). This allows search engines to compare your site with specific local searches.
4. Off-site Optimization
- SEO: As part of traditional SEO, off-site optimization tactics often involve getting backlinks from high-quality, trustworthy websites in different domains. These backlinks help your website move up in the search engine results by showing that other websites trust and recommend it.
- Local SEO: Building citations in local directories, online review sites, and local business groups is a standard part of off-site optimization in local SEO. When your business’s NAP information is mentioned on other websites, this is called a citation. Citations help build your business’s credibility and importance in the local community.
Advantages & Disadvantages: SEO vs. Local SEO
Let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of both SEO and Local SEO. First, I will start with the pros and cons of SEO.
Advantages of SEO
- SEO enables website owners to reach a large audience at a national or global level.
- Over time, SEO efforts can result in continuous organic traffic and higher search engine rankings.
- SEO can help businesses of all sizes and industries, from small local stores to major global corporations.
- Users frequently consider websites with high organic search rankings more credible and trustworthy.
Disadvantages of SEO
- With many websites fighting for the top spot in search results, gaining and maintaining high ranks is difficult.
- SEO is a long-term approach that demands patience and ongoing optimization work.
- Search engine algorithms are continually changing, which can affect website rankings.
- While SEO can reach a global audience, it may not effectively target specific local markets without local SEO.
Let us cover some significant pros and cons of local SEO.
Advantages of Local SEO
- By using local SEO, companies can reach customers in particular areas.
- Local searches often indicate high intent to purchase.
- There is usually less competition in local search results than in general SEO.
- Some types of local SEO, like optimizing Google My Business, can help businesses show up more prominently on regional maps, making them easier for customers in the area to find.
Disadvantages of Local SEO
- Local SEO may not be suitable for businesses looking to reach a broader, national, or global market.
- Local SEO strategies may require ongoing efforts.
- Like traditional SEO, local search algorithms can change, which impacts your local ranking.
When to Use: SEO vs. Local SEO

Let’s simplify it.
When to Focus on SEO
- Your business reaches people everywhere: SEO is the best way to market your business if you have people all over the country or the world. It helps people find you when looking for your goods or services, no matter where they are.
- You’re all about online sales: SEO is key if you sell products online and do not have a physical store. It helps attract customers to your website and boost online sales.
- You want everyone to know your brand: If you’re after building brand awareness, SEO can help. It gets your brand in front of a wide audience.
When to Focus on Local SEO
- You’ve got a physical store: Local SEO is the way to go if you own a store or serve customers in a particular area. It makes it easier for people nearby to find you when they search for local businesses.
- Bringing in local customers is a top priority: If you’re about getting more people through your doors or local leads, Local SEO is your friend.
- Building community trust matters: Local SEO is crucial if you want to be a trusted name in your local community. It helps you show up in local searches, building your reputation.
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered all the details of the differences between traditional SEO and local SEO. We have seen when we should rely on global SEO and when we should go with local SEO.
My advice is to first assess your niche. If your niche requires both local and global rankings, then you should apply both practices. However, if your niche specifically demands only local SEO, then you should focus solely on that. However, if you are targeting informational keywords within that niche, then you’ll also need to rely on global SEO.
Apart from that, traditional SEO, or global SEO, should be done to rank your website.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
Below are several commonly asked questions comparing traditional SEO and local SEO. You might find it helpful to read them.
I have an online store that ships nationwide. Do I need Local SEO?
Probably not. Focus on regular SEO with national keywords to reach a broader audience.
My bakery has a physical location but also offers online ordering. What do I need?
You’ll benefit from both! Use SEO for relevant keywords like “best cookies” and Local SEO to get listed on maps and local directories for walk-in customers.
I keep seeing “NAP” mentioned. What’s that?
NAP stands for Name, Address, and Phone number. Consistency of this information across your website and online listings is crucial for Local SEO.
How long does it take to see results from SEO or Local SEO?
SEO and Local SEO are long-term strategies. You might see some initial results within a few months, but significant improvements can take 6-12 months.
This all sounds complicated. Can I do SEO and Local SEO myself?
You can get started with basic strategies. However, consider consulting an SEO specialist for in-depth optimization and ongoing management. And yes, you can do in-depth SEO with us through our YouTube channel, “Learn with GA”.
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