SEO vs. Local SEO: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters

When it comes to getting found online, "SEO" gets thrown around a lot — but not all SEO is created equal. If you're running a business, especially a brick-and-mortar one, it's crucial to understand the difference between SEO and Local SEO — and why each one matters for your bottom line.

What is SEO?

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results. The goal? To attract organic (non-paid) traffic from users across the globe who are searching for topics related to your business.

General SEO focuses on:

• Keyword optimization
• Site speed and mobile responsiveness
• Backlink building
• Quality content creation
• Meta tags and structured data

This strategy is best for:

• E-commerce businesses
• Online services or SaaS companies
• Blogs and publishers with a broad audience

What is Local SEO?

Local SEO, on the other hand, is all about visibility in location-based searches. It helps your business appear when people search for services or products "near me," in a specific city, or even without location terms (Google automatically detects user location and serves local results).

Local SEO focuses on:

• Google Business Profile optimization
• Ranking in Google's Local Map Pack (top 3 results with map pins)
• Local citations (name, address, phone number consistency across the web)
• Customer reviews on Google, Yelp, Facebook, and industry-specific platforms
• Location-specific keywords and content
• Local Business Schema markup to help search engines understand your location and services
• Local link building and community relevance
• Mobile optimization (most local searches happen on smartphones)
• Voice search optimization for conversational, question-based queries

This strategy is best for:

• Restaurants, salons, stores, or any physical location
• Service-area businesses like plumbers, electricians, or contractors
• Professionals like doctors, dentists, and attorneys

Key Differences Between SEO and Local SEO at a Glance

Which One Do You Need?

• If your business operates online only: Go all-in on general SEO.
• If your business relies on local foot traffic or service areas: Local SEO should be your top priority.
• If you have both online and offline components: A mix of both strategies will bring the best results.

The Bottom Line

SEO and Local SEO aren't in competition — they complement each other. Understanding the difference helps you invest your time and budget where they'll make the biggest impact.

Start by auditing where your customers are actually searching for you. Are they looking for "best project management software" or "coffee shop near me"? The answer will guide your strategy.

Whether you want to dominate national search results or own your local market, the right SEO strategy will get you in front of the right people at the right time.

Need help deciding what's best for your business? We can help you build a strategy that works — locally or globally. Schedule a free consultation today and let's map out your path to better visibility.