Why You Should Implement Local SEO for Small Businesses in Australia 

SEO is likely already part of your small business’s digital marketing strategy.  

But did you know that for small businesses in Australia, local SEO offers many benefits, but only a few businesses know how to utilise its full potential? 

In this blog, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about local SEO for small businesses and how you can implement it.  

What is Local SEO? 

Traditional SEO is great for reaching a broad audience, but if your business serves a specific local area, local SEO is essential to connect with nearby customers and drive more relevant traffic. 

Let’s break down the “why”. 

Google has multiple algorithms, and it analyses each query for the search intent, whether it’s informational, transactional, navigational, commercial, etc.  

If the search query has a local intent (e.g., bakeries in Sydney/ bakeries near me), Google automatically swaps to a local algorithm specific to that geographical region. 

Local SEO is necessary to ensure your business is displayed for such queries.  

Why is Local SEO Important? 

Local SEO is more important than you think because it displays your business at a critical decision-making moment for your customers, increasing the chance of conversation.  

Optimising for local SEO lets your business appear in: 

• Map Pack: The Map Pack (or Local Pack) is a section at the top of Google’s search results that displays a map and three local business listings relevant to a user’s query. It includes key details like the business name, reviews, address, and directions.  

• Local Finder: Clicking “View All” below the Map Pack expands the list of nearby businesses. 

• Google Maps: Searches within the Google Maps app are also based on the local algorithm. 

• Localised Organic Results: Local SEO is important for your business to appear in organic search results below the Map Pack. 

Does my Business Need Local SEO? 

You should consider local SEO if: 

• You serve a specific geographic area: If your business operates in a specific city, suburb, or region, local SEO helps attract nearby customers searching for your products or services. 

• Customers search for your services locally: If people search for “[your service] near me” (e.g., “plumber in Sydney” or “best coffee shop in Melbourne”), local SEO helps you appear in relevant searches. 

• You want more walk-in traffic or local leads: If your business relies on local customers over national/international ones, optimising for local searches can drive foot traffic and increase conversions. 

How to Implement Local SEO  

If you are new to local SEO, here are a few key areas you need to look into:  

1. Claim and Optimise Your Google Business Profile (GBP) 

• Sign up and claim your GBP listing through Google Business Profile. 

• Ensure all relevant information is accurate, including your business name, address (for businesses with physical locations), phone number (NAP), website, and category. 

• Google typically requires verification via video recordings, phone calls, text messages, emails, live video calls, or mail sent to your business address. The method of verification will be determined automatically by Google’s system based on factors like business category, public information, region, or business hours.  

• Once verified, add a business description, operating hours, services offered, and high-quality photos of your business. 

2. Collect and Respond to Reviews 

Reviews help build trust and increase conversions, and a majority of consumers use reviews to evaluate local businesses.  

Therefore, you should:  

• Encourage Reviews: Ask satisfied customers to leave reviews through follow-up emails or after-service interactions. 

• Respond to Reviews: Respond to all reviews, whether positive or negative. Acknowledge positive feedback and professionally address concerns raised in negative reviews. 

3. Optimise for Local Keywords 

• Use local keywords in your website’s content, meta descriptions, and titles to ensure your business ranks for location-specific searches (e.g., “plumber in Sydney”). 

• Tools like Google Keyword Planner and SEMrush can help you identify popular local search terms. 

4. Create Local Content 

• Write blog posts or pages focused on local topics or how your products/services connect with your local community. 

• Example: A post like “The Best Coffee Shops in Melbourne for Remote Workers” can target local users looking for coffee shops with specific amenities. 

5. Utilise Social Media for Local Engagement 

• Keep your social media profiles updated to show that your business is active. 

• Regularly post about promotions, events, or community involvement to engage with local customers. 

• Ensure your social media profiles match the information listed in your GBP. 

6. Build Local Backlinks 

• Quality backlinks from local sources help build credibility and improve rankings. 

• Methods for building local backlinks: 

• Guest posting on local blogs. 

• Partnering with local businesses or sponsoring events. 

• Getting listed in reputable local business directories. 

7. Ensure Your Website is Mobile-Friendly 

• With increasing mobile usage, having a responsive website is critical. 

• Test your site using Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test Tool. 

• If needed, update your website’s design or theme to a mobile-responsive one to enhance user experience. 

8. Monitor Your Progress 

• Use tools like Google Analytics 4 and Google Search Console to track your local SEO performance. 

• Regularly check your rankings for local keywords and monitor the traffic from local searches. Adjust your strategies as necessary based on the results. 

9. Set Up and Optimise Local Listings and Citations 

• Ensure your business is listed in credible local directories both online (e.g., Yellow Pages, Super Pages, Yelp Australia, Facebook), and physical (if available). 

• Structured citations (business directories) and unstructured citations (mentions on social media and news articles) help search engines verify your business. 

• Ensure that your NAP (Name, Address, and Phone Number) details are consistent across all listings. 

Implementing SEO requires a dedicated resource, but this can be challenging given the rising cost constraints for Australian SMEs. 

Our offshore digital marketing services can help. 

We specialise in digital marketing for small businesses in Australia while guaranteeing 60-70% cost savings compared to in-house services.  

We can help your business climb the SERP ladder, ensuring your brand is seen by the right people at the right moment by on-page and off-page SEO optimisation, and in-depth local keyword research and analysis.