Hiya Reader,
Did you know that search results can change depending on WHERE you're searching from?
How? Bc Google (and other search engines) are creepy.
And they take your IP address into account before showing you search results; which is basically a fancy way of saying:
“Where is this person sitting right now while they’re searching?”
So when someone types in something like “gluten free bakery near me” or “local branding photographer”, Google’s going to show them results based on their location.
Not yours.
Not mine.
Theirs.
Which is why local SEO is so important ESPECIALLY if you serve clients in a specific city or region.(And why your homepage should be crystal clear about what you do and where you do it.)
If you’re a local business, make sure to include your location on your website:
- On your homepage, in your H1 or subheading
- In your SEO title and/or meta description
- In your website footer
- On your contact page
- Within your about page copy
Sprinkle it wherever it makes sense!
Just make sure you're giving CLEAR context clues about where you're located.
And if you're an online business owner, like me....
You probably don't have a physical storefront or office because you don't ONLY help people within a certain area...
But you can STILL take advantage of showing up LOCALLY without being obnoxious.
In this situation, we have to be careful thought not to confuse people.
We want to include our location, but not make it front & center.
What to do?
Include your location in more subtle places:
- Your About page
- Your footer
- Contact page
And then if you do wanna make your location more prominent, you can just add context!
Like: "Located in Buffalo, NY serving clients virtually around the world!"
You can put this line in a heading, in a paragraph, and throughout your site if you want too, including SEO titles & meta descriptions. It gives users AND search engines context.
Why is this helpful for users to know even if you're an ONLINE business?
Because people are more likely to trust and buy from someone who feels “in the neighborhood.”
Even if they found you online.
It can make you feel more relatable, and get people thinking:
“Oh cool, they’re kinda local.”
(I've literally had this happen a dozen times. People will email me "I didn't realize you were from Buffalo!!!! I'd love to learn more about what you offer. Go Bills.")
👇 Action step for this week:
Open your homepage.
Ask yourself: Is it obvious where I'm located?
If not, pick one spot: your heading, intro paragraph, footer, or contact page, and add a simple line that gives both your visitors and Google some context.
Something like:
- “Based in Buffalo, NY; serving clients virtually across the U.S.”
- “Helping small business owners with XYZ in Rochester, NY & beyond.”
- "Supporting my local Asheville, NC community & helping clients virtually around the world"
It doesn’t need to be front and center, especially if you're an online business; just make it findable.
You’re not shouting your zip code to the world, you’re giving USERS & search engines more CONTEXT about you, which leads to trust, and sales 🤑🤑🤑
