Outrank Your Competitors With SEO

Want to outrank your competitors with SEO? The key is localisation. If your business isn’t appearing at the top of search results for local searches, you’re losing customers to competitors who have optimised for SEO localisation for businesses. Whether you run a small local shop or a nationwide company with multiple locations, local SEO strategies can improve visibility, increase traffic, and drive more sales.

Google prioritises businesses that provide relevant, location-based content, making SEO localisation one of the most effective ways to outrank your competition with SEO. If your competitors are ranking higher than you, it’s likely because they have optimised for Google My Business, local keywords, citations, and backlinks from trusted local sources.

Many businesses focus on general SEO techniques without considering the power of local search optimisation. However, over 46% of all Google searches are looking for local information, meaning that ranking higher in local results can bring in more targeted traffic and customers who are ready to buy.

This article will explain how to use SEO localisation for businesses to outrank competitors, improve search rankings, and drive local traffic. We’ll cover how to optimise your Google My Business profile, use local keywords effectively, and build high-quality local backlinks.

If you want your business to show up in more searches, attract more customers, and leave competitors behind, then focusing on SEO localisation is the smartest approach.

What Is SEO Localisation And Why Does It Matter?

SEO localisation is the process of optimising a website to rank higher in location-based searches. Unlike general SEO, which targets a broad audience, localisation focuses on specific geographical areas, making it ideal for businesses that want to attract local customers.

How SEO localisation works: When people search for products or services near them, Google prioritises businesses that are optimised for local intent. This means that a company with strong local SEO will appear in Google’s Local Pack, Google Maps, and organic search results when users look for relevant services in their area.

The difference between local SEO and general SEO: Traditional SEO focuses on global or national rankings, while local SEO aims to improve visibility for people searching within a specific city, town, or region. For example, a business optimised for local SEO will rank for searches like “best coffee shop near me” or “plumbing services in London”, whereas general SEO would focus on broader industry terms.

Why SEO localisation matters for businesses: With more people relying on Google searches to find local services, businesses that do not optimise for local search will lose potential customers to competitors who do. Here are some key reasons why local SEO is important:

  • Increased visibility: Local SEO helps businesses appear in Google’s Local Pack and Maps, which receive high click-through rates.
  • Higher conversion rates: Local searches often come from users who are ready to make a purchase, leading to higher conversion rates compared to general search traffic.
  • Stronger brand trust: Appearing in local search results increases credibility and trust, as users tend to prefer businesses that rank higher on Google.
  • More foot traffic: For businesses with physical locations, local SEO drives more customers through the door by improving visibility in Google Maps.

How Google determines local rankings: Google considers three main factors when ranking local businesses:

  • Relevance: How well a business’s content and services match the search query.
  • Distance: How close the business is to the searcher’s location.
  • Prominence: How well-known and well-reviewed the business is online.

Businesses that optimise their local SEO strategy by improving relevance, distance, and prominence will have a better chance of outranking competitors in search results.

Outrank Your Competition With SEO

Outrank Your Competitors With SEO By Optimising Google My Business

Google My Business (GMB) is one of the most powerful tools for SEO localisation for businesses. A well-optimised GMB profile can significantly improve local search rankings, helping businesses appear in Google’s Local Pack, Google Maps, and organic search results. If your competitors are ranking higher than you, it’s likely because they have a better-optimised GMB profile.

Why Google My Business is essential for local SEO: GMB helps businesses increase visibility, attract more customers, and improve engagement. Google uses information from GMB profiles to determine which businesses are most relevant for local searches, making it a key factor in local rankings.

How to optimise your Google My Business profile:

  1. Complete every section of your profile: Ensure your GMB profile is fully filled out with accurate business details, including name, address, phone number (NAP), website, and category. Google ranks businesses higher when their profiles are detailed and accurate.
  2. Use high-quality images and videos: Adding professional images of your business, products, or services makes your profile more attractive and encourages more engagement. Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more website clicks.
  3. Encourage customer reviews and respond to them: Reviews are a major ranking factor for local SEO. Businesses with more positive reviews tend to rank higher. Encourage satisfied customers to leave detailed reviews, and always respond to feedback to show engagement.
  4. Optimise your business description: Write a clear, keyword-rich business description that explains your services, location, and unique selling points. Include local keywords naturally to help Google match your business with relevant searches.
  5. Add relevant categories and attributes: Choose the correct primary category and additional categories that describe your business. For example, a bakery should select “Bakery” as the main category but may also add “Coffee Shop” or “Cake Shop” as secondary categories.
  6. Keep business hours updated: Ensure your business hours are accurate and updated regularly, especially during holidays or special events. This helps avoid misleading customers and improves trust.
  7. Use Google Posts for regular updates: Posting updates about special offers, events, or new products keeps your GMB profile active, which signals to Google that your business is engaged.
  8. Monitor insights and track performance: Google provides insights on how users interact with your GMB profile. Track metrics such as search queries, website visits, and direction requests to measure effectiveness and make adjustments.

Optimising Google My Business is a proven way to outrank your competitors with SEO.

Outrank Your Competition With SEO By Using Local Keywords And Content

To outrank your competition with SEO, using local keywords and high-quality content is essential. Google prioritises businesses that optimise their websites for local searches, ensuring that searchers find the most relevant businesses in their area. If your competitors are appearing above you in local search results, it’s likely because they have better keyword targeting and location-based content.

How local keywords improve rankings: Google determines local search rankings based on relevance, distance, and prominence. When you incorporate location-specific keywords into your website content, you help Google understand where your business operates and who it serves.

How to find the right local keywords:

  • Use Google’s Keyword Planner or other SEO tools to identify high-ranking local search terms.
  • Look at competitor websites and note the keywords they rank for in local searches.
  • Focus on long-tail keywords, such as “best coffee shop in Portsmouth” rather than just “coffee shop”.

Where to use local keywords:

  • Homepage and service pages: Clearly state the location you serve in your headings and page titles.
  • Meta descriptions and title tags: Optimise these elements with relevant local keywords to improve click-through rates.
  • Google My Business profile: Include local keywords in your business description to increase relevance in Google’s Local Pack.
  • Content and blog posts: Write location-specific content that targets customers searching for services in your area.

Creating local content to improve search rankings: Google favours websites that publish fresh, relevant content, especially when it helps users find information about a specific location.

Types of local content that help SEO:

  • Local business guides: Write about the best services, shops, or attractions in your area.
  • Customer success stories: Showcase how your business helped local clients.
  • Event coverage: Cover local events, sponsorships, or partnerships your business is involved in.
  • FAQs based on local searches: Answer questions people frequently ask about your industry in your region.

Why Google rewards businesses with strong local content: When businesses provide detailed, informative, and location-relevant content, they are more likely to attract backlinks, improve engagement, and rank higher in search results.

By optimising for local keywords and creating high-quality content, businesses can outrank their competition with SEO.

SEO Localisation For Businesses

The Role Of Backlinks And Citations In SEO Localisation For Businesses

To outrank your competitors with SEO, backlinks and citations play a crucial role in establishing credibility and authority. Google considers backlinks from reputable sources as a sign that your business is trustworthy and relevant, while citations help confirm your business’s legitimacy and location. If your competitors are ranking higher, they may have stronger backlink profiles and more consistent citations across the web.

How backlinks improve local SEO: Backlinks act as votes of confidence from other websites. The more high-quality, locally relevant backlinks a business has, the more Google sees it as a trusted authority. However, not all backlinks are equal—links from spammy or low-quality sites can do more harm than good.

How to build strong local backlinks:

  • Partner with local businesses and directories: Reach out to local news websites, chambers of commerce, and business directories to secure high-authority backlinks.
  • Write guest posts for industry-related sites: Contribute to local blogs or news platforms to establish authority while gaining valuable backlinks.
  • Sponsor local events or charities: Many event websites offer backlinks to business sponsors, which boost credibility and local visibility.
  • Encourage mentions from local influencers: Collaborate with local content creators or industry experts who can link to your website.

The importance of citations for local SEO: Citations are online references to your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) on directories like Google My Business, Yelp, Bing Places, and local business listings. Google uses citations to verify a business’s legitimacy and ensure consistency across multiple platforms.

How to optimise citations for SEO localisation for businesses:

  • Ensure NAP consistency: Your business’s name, address, and phone number must be identical across all listings. Even small variations can confuse Google and impact rankings.
  • Submit to high-authority directories: Focus on trusted directories like Google My Business, Yelp, Bing Places, Trustpilot, and local industry-specific directories.
  • Update outdated or incorrect information: Regularly check your citations and correct any inconsistencies to maintain credibility and search visibility.

Why backlinks and citations matter for local SEO: Google ranks businesses with strong local backlink profiles and accurate citations higher because they demonstrate authority, trust, and relevance. If a competitor has more high-quality backlinks and consistent citations, they will likely appear above you in local searches.

By building strong backlinks and maintaining accurate citations, businesses can improve SEO localisation for businesses and secure higher rankings in local search results.

Get Found Locally And Outrank Your Competitors With SEO

Winning the battle for local search rankings is not about luck. To outrank your competition with SEO, businesses must focus on SEO localisation for businesses, ensuring they appear in front of the right audience at the right time.

We’ve covered key strategies to help businesses improve their local rankings, including optimising Google My Business, using local keywords, creating high-quality local content, and building strong backlinks and citations. These tactics increase visibility, boost engagement, and drive more traffic from local searches.

If your competitors are ranking higher than you, it’s because they have a stronger local SEO strategy. Instead of losing potential customers, now is the time to take action and improve your local search presence.

At Delivered Social, we specialise in helping businesses rank higher in local search results, ensuring that your brand is found by the right customers. Whether you need Google My Business optimisation, local content creation, or a strong backlink strategy, we can help you implement an SEO plan that delivers real results.

Want to know where your business stands? Pop into our free Social Clinic for a full SEO assessment and expert advice—all at no cost to you. Book your free session today and start climbing the search rankings.

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About the Author: Jonathan Bird

Jon built Delivered Social to be a ‘true’ marketing agency for businesses that think they can’t afford one. A dedicated marketer, international speaker and proven business owner, Jon’s a fountain of knowledge – after he’s had a cup of coffee that is. When not working you'll often find him walking Dembe, his French Bulldog.

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