Multi-Location SEO: Managing and Optimising Your Business Listings

Published by : Vicinus

Date : August 13, 2024

Introduction

your business has branches across different cities and countries. How can you ensure that every website receives the recognition it deserves from search engines? Our crucial strategy incorporates implementing a strategic SEO plan for multiple locations, ensuring each spot stands out. This guide provides valuable insights on increasing search traffic and effectively engaging with customers in their preferred channels so that each of the business locations are boosted in local search results. Prepare yourself to tap into the potential of local seo for multi location enterprises for all of your businesses!

What is Multi-location SEO or local SEO for multi location enterprises?

Multi-location SEO involves applying local seo for multi location enterprises best practices across all of your clients’ business locations, whether they operate in different cities or countries. This approach is crucial for increasing search traffic to various places and connecting with customers where they are.

By implementing a multi location business seo strategy, search engines can effectively distinguish between your clients’ business locations. This ensures that local customers receive pertinent information about the products or services nearest them. According to HubSpot, over 50% of online searches are locally focused, as people seek information on nearby products and services. Additionally, almost 80% of these local searches lead to conversions, underscoring the critical need for businesses to optimise their local digital presence.
Let’s consider a scenario where your client runs a clothing retail store in Mumbai and another in Bangalore. Alternatively, consider a significant corporation with multiple retail outlets spread across different cities, states, or countries. Or a nationwide chain like Tim Hortons that needs to be easily found when someone searches for “coffee near me.” In each case, the objective is to ensure local customers can quickly locate the nearest shop featured prominently on search engine results pages (SERPs).
The primary goal is to enhance visibility in local searches, including “near me” and map searches on platforms like Google (Google Map Pack), Bing, or Apple Maps. This strategy enables search engines to accurately present relevant business details based on the user’s location. It’s especially beneficial for businesses with multiple franchises or branches across different regions, bolstering their overall SEO effectiveness.

How is Multi-Location SEO different from traditional SEO?

Two separate strategies stand out in search engine optimisation (SEO): traditional SEO and local seo for multi location businesses. The conventional search engine optimisation (SEO) approach often utilises industry-specific keywords and generalised material relevant across various geographies to achieve broad awareness on a national or global basis. Local seo for multi location enterprises, on the other hand, focuses on optimising for specific geographic locations where businesses operate. It does this by designing strategies to engage local audiences and capitalise on location-based searches that cater directly to the tastes and behaviours of regional consumers.
In traditional SEO and multi-location SEO strategies, optimising for both organic and inorganic search results involves managing visibility in category and branded/unbranded searches across multiple locations. This approach ensures comprehensive online presence tailored to local consumer behaviours and search preferences.Mentioned below are the key features that help differentiate the two strategies:

Multi-Location Seo

Traditional Seo

Targets local customers within specific geographic areas

Targets a broad audience across regions or globally

Focuses on location-based keywords

Uses broader, industry-specific keywords

Develops location-specific content and landing pages

Focuses on general content applicable everywhere

Utilises GMB for multiple location listings

May have a single GMB listing for headquarters

Prioritises local reviews and citations

Seeks reviews and backlinks from diverse sources

Emphasises local backlinks and partnerships

Seeks backlinks from high-authority websites

Importance And Benefits of Multi-Location SEO

Businesses with more than one location or part of a franchise can greatly benefit from multi-location search engine optimisation (SEO) since it allows them to reach more customers online and better serve different local markets. Here are key reasons why Multi Location SEO is crucial for businesses with multiple branches or franchises:

Maximising Exposure in Local Search Results

Increase the possibility of obtaining local clients by having your business appear more prominently when people search for items or services within specified geographic locations.

Tailors Content to Regional Preferences

The strategic deployment of local search engine optimisation enables multi-location firms to develop content that connects with various regional preferences, trends, and consumer behaviours. This, in turn, allows the material to be tailored to regional tastes. Not only does this focused approach increase brand exposure, but it also cultivates deeper client loyalty through repeated purchases.

Reaching Highly-Selective Audiences

If you want to ensure that your SEO efforts are paying off, you should focus on reaching and converting people actively looking for the items or services your company provides.

Enhancing the User Interface

Making essential details like location, hours of operation, product and service offers, and customer feedback easily accessible helps build trust and gives customers the power to make informed decisions.

Building Reputation

Building a reputation for dependability and trustworthiness among potential clients can be achieved through proactive review management, taking ownership of your work, and providing transparent information and pricing strategies.

Raising Recognition of the Brand

By utilising citations across various platforms such as Facebook, Yelp, and FourSquare, you can enhance your online presence and promote brand recognition and trust by exposing your business to a broader audience.

Differentiating Among Sites

Tailoring your SEO approach to highlight unique offerings and characteristics of each location—hosting author readings or featuring a used book trade-in—helps differentiate your business and attract diverse customer interests effectively.

Strategies For Multi-Location SEO

It may seem overwhelming to learn multi location SEO, especially if you have a lot of business listings to manage. By implementing effective strategies, you can streamline the process, enhance your online presence, and boost your bottom line. Here are some key tactics to help you achieve success in multi location SEO.

Develop Unique URLs For Web Pages Of Each Location

To achieve successful multi-location search engine optimisation, developing individual web pages for each of the business’s locations is essential. One way to approach it is as follows:

Tailored URL Structure: Assign a unique URL for each location, such as “www.examplebusiness.in/delhi” or “www.examplebusiness.in/locations/delhi.” This specific URL format provides users with clear information and assists search engines in accurately categorising and ranking each location’s page to enhance local search visibility.

Tailored Metadata: Customise the metadata for each page to reflect that location’s distinct characteristics and offerings. This metadata plays a vital role in search engine results, ensuring your pages are relevant and appealing to local customers searching for specific products or services.

Enhance Each Location's Google Business Listing

Crafting optimised Google Business Profiles (GBPs) for multiple locations is pivotal in seizing local search opportunities and captivating potential clientele. Each location deserves its own Google Business Profile filled with accurate details like addresses, phone numbers, and business hours to create a unique online presence.
Increase visual appeal with good quality Google images that are in line with local tastes and traditions. This will help create an engaging experience for customers. Get people in your community to connect with each other by posting real customer reviews that build trust and resonance across borders.

Employ Content Strategy

By prioritising unique content and targeted keywords for each location, businesses can drive organic traffic, elevate search engine rankings, and expand their customer base across diverse regions. Crafting a tailored content strategy is crucial for effective multi location business seo. Businesses can enhance local relevance and visibility in search results by creating unique content and targeting specific keywords for each location.

Optimise website

Customising your website to cater to the distinct characteristics of each region is necessary. This entails embedding the unique traits of each location into your content, keywords, and metadata. Beyond enhancing your SEO efforts, localising your website for each area nurtures a sense of belonging. By addressing local concerns, you demonstrate a deep understanding of your clients’ needs, positioning your business as an integral part of their community rather than a distant entity.
Effective localisation transcends the mere insertion of location-specific keywords; it involves genuine engagement with your local audience, empathising with their challenges, and providing relevant solutions. This approach fosters a profound connection and inclusivity, strengthening your relationship with local customers.

Activate a Store Locator System

There is a close relationship between local sites and store locators. A store finder is a website listing all of the local businesses or third-party dealers in your area that sell your products. The example of a store locator is illustrated in the following example.
In order to facilitate the progression of website visitors along the customer journey, store locators offer vital location information as well as specific characteristics about each store. Customers can make purchases online and contact or visit local establishments more easily due to their efforts.
The following will be improved with the assistance of store locators and local pages that are well-optimised and compatible:

Locate and Eliminate Duplicate Content

It is imperative to steer clear of duplicate content while creating localised content. When the same information appears in various online places—for example, on identical local or product pages on your website—it is referred to as duplicate content. Also, address duplicate Google My Business listings issue to maintain accurate and reliable local search results. Because duplicate material confuses Google’s indexing algorithms, it can harm local seo for multi location businesses efforts. Take into account the following actions to reduce duplicate content:
To report a duplicate location on Google Maps, follow these steps:
1. Open Google Maps and log in to your account.
2. Find the location you want to report.
3. Click on the “Suggest an edit” button.
4. Mark the location as “Place is permanently closed or never existed.”
5. When prompted for a reason, select “Duplicate.”
6. Click on the “Submit” button to confirm.

To improve your local SEO for multi-location enterprises, address duplicate content to ensure search engines index the most relevant sites for your audience.

Social Media Engagement

Maximising social media can boost your multi-location business’s location marketing and visibility. Use social media platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook to promote your multi-location business. Share location-specific content tailored to each platform’s strengths; for example, use Instagram for beautiful location photos. This strategy boosts visibility, engages local clients, and creates a strong community connection, no matter where your audience is located.
Each social media platform has unique strengths. Use them to your advantage. For instance, Instagram is perfect for showcasing high-quality location photos. This boosts venue promotion and enhances your multi-location business, increasing awareness, engagement, and community connection with clients across all locations.

Use Of Local Citations

Citations provide crucial information and backlinks to your website. Focus on authoritative directories like Google My Business, Yelp, Bing Places, Yellow Pages, and TripAdvisor. Industry-specific directories, local chambers of commerce, and regional business associations also enhance credibility and local search rankings with accurate NAP details that will help feature better in “near me” sections.

Use tools like Moz Local, BrightLocal, or Yext to find and manage directories efficiently. Submit your business details accurately, including high-quality images like your logo, product photos, and your business location.These directories verify NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) to promote trust and local search ranks.

Deploy Link-Building Strategies

A solid link-building plan must be created to maximise the SEO of multiple locations. It contributes to each location’s increased visibility and authority, which raises search rankings and boosts organic traffic.
In order to formulate a successful link-building plan, take into account the following:

Form Quality Backlinks

Create backlinks of the highest quality by concentrating on getting them from reputable and pertinent websites. Partnerships, influencer outreach, and guest posting are effective ways to get high-quality backlinks.

Utilise regional alliances

Collaborate to promote one other’s websites and trade backlinks with nearby companies, associations, and influencers.

Provide insightful content

Create exciting and educational content to entice other websites to link to it naturally. Videos, infographics, blogs, and instructions can all fall under this category.

Local Backlinks and Schema Markup for SEO

Local Backlinks for Each Location Page

Backlinks are crucial ranking factors for any online presence. In local SEO, beyond obtaining high-quality backlinks in general, securing local backlinks for your location pages is essential. These local backlinks enhance the relevance and authority of each specific location, improving search rankings and visibility in local searches.

Schema Markup

Schema markup is the primary tool for structured data in Google Search. It involves adding descriptive code to your pages and content, helping Google understand and rank them for the most relevant queries. Structured data also enables Google to display your listings in more useful formats for users, such as rich snippets and local business cards, enhancing your overall visibility and user engagement.

Conclusion

Improving your presence in local searches and generating client engagement requires managing and optimising your company listings across several areas. The use of schema markup for structured data, the creation of locally relevant content with optimised keywords, the acquisition of locally relevant backlinks, and the establishment of local citations on appropriate directories are all critical tactics. These strategies can boost your company’s visibility online, unite your target audience, and make it easier for locals to get in touch with you.

Frequently asked questions

Manage reviews by claiming and optimising Google Business Profiles for each location. Encourage customer feedback, respond promptly to reviews, and address concerns to build credibility.
A clear URL structure aids multiple-location SEO by improving site organisation for search engines, enhancing user experience, and facilitating easier indexing of pages.
Optimise each Google Business Profile with accurate details like addresses, phone numbers, business hours, and services. Encourage reviews and update profiles regularly with relevant posts.
Create location-specific landing pages with accurate NAP details and optimise Google Business Profiles for each location. Ensure consistency across listings to maximise local search visibility and customer engagement.