Local SEO Blogging Made Simple: A Step-by-Step Guide for You
If you want more customers from your area, your blog can help you do exactly that. But it’s not just about writing whatever pops into your head. If you want your blog to work hard for your business, it needs to be built with local SEO in mind. This guide breaks it all down in plain English.
1. Know Who You’re Talking To
Before you start typing away, get clear on your audience. What do people in your town or city care about? What are they searching for? If you run a dog grooming business in Asheville, people are probably googling things like “best dog groomer in Asheville” or “how often should I groom my golden retriever in North Carolina.” That’s your cue to create content they’ll actually find useful—and searchable.
2. Find the Right Local Keywords
You’ll need keywords that people near you are typing into Google. Think beyond general terms like "plumber" or "accountant." Add the city or neighborhood. Use tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find location-based keywords. Write them down, and sprinkle them naturally into your headlines, subheadings, and paragraphs.
Think of keywords like street signs. Without them, search engines and your readers don’t know where to go.
3. Write About Things That Matter Locally
Search engines love specific, helpful content—and so do your future clients. Blog about local topics related to your industry. If you’re a real estate agent in Austin, write about up-and-coming neighborhoods, local property taxes, or school districts. Don’t just talk about your services. Share what people in your area genuinely care about.
You can even tie in events. For example, if there’s a local food festival, a nutrition coach might blog about how to enjoy it without falling off track.
4. Make Your Posts Search-Friendly
A blog that’s optimized for search will always perform better. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Include your location in the title, URL, and meta description.
- Use headers (like H2s and H3s) to organize your content.
- Add internal links to other blog posts or service pages on your website.
- Use alt text for your images.
- Add a clear call-to-action (CTA) so readers know what to do next.
Need help with that? Here’s a beginner’s guide to internal linking that breaks it all down.
5. Talk About Local Stuff Often
Consistency helps Google see you as a local authority. Aim to publish at least once a month. Share updates, tips, how-to posts, or FAQs based on what people around you are asking.
If you’re stuck on topics, check out these easy ways to come up with content ideas.
6. Get the Word Out Locally
Publishing the blog post is only part of the work. Share your content where your audience hangs out:
- Facebook groups tied to your city or neighborhood
- Local business directories
- Google Business Profile
- Community boards and local newsletters
It’s like hanging flyers around town—but online.
7. Link Up with Local Pages
Build local SEO authority by linking to and from local websites. Maybe there’s a small local newspaper, chamber of commerce, or non-profit that accepts guest posts. Or you could do a blog exchange with a fellow business owner nearby.
8. Make It Easy to Contact You
If your blog helps someone, they’ll probably want to learn more. Make it obvious how to get in touch. Add your contact info in every post, or even better, include a CTA that leads to your contact form or service page.
You’ll find more tips in this article about writing blogs your ideal clients want to read.
Let’s Recap:
- Know your local audience
- Find the right local keywords
- Create content that’s relevant to your area
- Optimize your blog post structure
- Post consistently
- Share your content locally
- Link with other local businesses
- Add contact info and CTAs
Want help doing all this without the stress? I write blog posts for business owners who want more clients from their area—without spending hours staring at a blinking cursor.
👉 Contact me here if you want your blog to start working for you.
Post a comment