What is local SEO, and does it apply to businesses that sell internationally?
Local SEO optimises for searches where people are looking for something nearby. It relies on a verified business profile, consistent business details across the web, reviews and proximity. It applies to any business with a physical location or defined service area. For international businesses, its main value is credibility, as buyers often check that a supplier has a verifiable physical presence.
For local businesses, key steps include completing the business profile, selecting accurate categories, keeping details consistent everywhere, creating location pages with genuinely useful information and requesting reviews from customers regularly.
For international firms, most buying searches are not location-based, but a complete profile with a real address, photographs and reviews builds trust with prospective clients.
Local visibility also supports hiring and partnerships, which are often more locally focused than sales.
We advise against creating pages for locations where the business has no presence.
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