Gaining local recognition is crucial for the success of any business adventure. 

As a proud Leeds based business who have been ranking for Yorkshire based keywords for years, Infoserve understands the vitalities of local SEO. But there are a multitude of methods you can use, both personally and professionally, to get your business known locally. 

What type of businesses should be known locally? 

Whilst local search is often said to benefit retail and service oriented industries most effectively, the truth is it should be a vital component of any marketing strategy. Unless you are based solely online, there is no reason why you shouldn’t adopt practices that get your business found in local searches online, or amongst your local community. 

And here’s how:

How to get your business found locally

Post on Quora 

Quora is a platform where individuals seek answers to their questions, making it an ideal place to establish yourself as a local authority. By actively participating in relevant discussions, answering questions related to your industry, and including local context in your responses, you can begin to build your local presence.

Top Tip: Look for questions specific to your area and provide insightful answers with a personal touch, even linking to your business’s website. This can help you stand out as a local expert.

Join local Facebook groups 

Facebook groups have evolved into vibrant communities where people engage in discussions, share recommendations, and seek advice. Joining local Facebook groups allows you to connect with potential customers who are looking for products or services in your area. 

Here are a few ways to make the most of these groups:



1. Only join local communities: Join your local village/town/city groups, and even a few groups in the surrounding areas. Avoid setting your margins too wide as people too far away might not be interested, and it can be a waste of your resources. Instead, focus on developing a solid reputation within your community. 
2. Engage actively: Joining the group isn’t enough. You’ll need to participate in discussions, offer solutions to problems, and share your expertise within the group. 
3. Be thoughtful in your approach: Share your business’s offerings only when it is relevant to the conversation, and avoid spamming the group with your contact information. It’s important to create a positive image. 
4. Promote offers/local events: You may find that certain members of your community already want to invest in your business but haven’t taken the first step. Promoting offers and events you are attending can give them the push they need to give your company a try. 

Local tags on social media

It is no secret that social media is one of the most powerful advertising tools many companies have in their quiver, but local functions aren’t always utilised to their full effect, despite the many options available. 

When you post on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and even Facebook, incorporate location-based tags and hashtags. This will increase your visibility to local users who may be searching for products or services in your area. 

For example, if you were a Yorkshire based restaurant chain, using location tags like #yorkshirefoodguide or #yorkshirebusiness can be highly effective. 

These tags will not only attract your local community, but also bring in tourists who are visiting the area and conducting prior research on social media. 

Create a Google My Business profile

Google My Business is a powerful tool for establishing your local presence. It allows you to provide essential information about your business, including your location, hours of operation, contact details, and customer reviews. 

Every business should have a Google My Business listing regardless of whether you want to be found locally. 

Here's how to get started:

Step 1: Log in to the Google account associated with your business, or create a Google account for your business.

Step 2: Click ‘Manage Now’ in the top left corner.

Step 3: Enter the details of your business. Google will ask for your company name, location, business category, phone number, and website URL.

Step 4: Verify your Google Business profile. This can be done by phone, email, or postcard. Google also offers instant verification, and bulk verification for businesses that operate from multiple places.

Invest in Local SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for making your business discoverable online, but local SEO takes this a step further. It focuses on optimising your online presence for local searches, such as "restaurants near me" or "plumbers in [YourCity]." 

To improve your local SEO, you should:

1. Provide consistent contact information 

To make it easier for both search engines and people to find you, you need to make sure your contact information is consistent across platforms. This includes your address, phone number and email address. 

In technical terms, your NAP (name, address, phone number) needs to be easily crawlable in HTML text in order for Google to display it in location based search results. Whilst this sounds fairly complex, we would recommend simply ensuring your contact information is displayed as text rather than images, or contact local SEO experts who can do this for you. 

2. Optimise local keywords 

In order to be found for local search, you need to use location based keywords. For example, if you were a plumber based in Dorset, you should ensure that your homepage, title tag and service pages include the phrase ‘Plumbers in Dorset’, or another variation. 

Avoid spamming the keyword. Instead, place it strategically in title tags and headings, and use secondary variations of the keyword like ‘plumbing services Dorset’ and ‘gas safe plumbing Dorset’ in your body text. 

3. Create tailored location pages 

Location pages are created specifically to display your services with regards to a specific location. This can be done in a number of ways, but the primary function of a location page is to show up in the search results for a specific location that might not be the primary area where you are based. 

Location pages work particularly well for industries that operate in multiple locations, or who have a primary base for their business but also serve the surrounding towns, villages or counties. 

For a more detailed guide, take a look at our blog: How To Build Location Pages for Local SEO. 

4. Create local content 

Different to location pages, locational based content can likewise be incredibly beneficial to promoting your business locally. This could include location guides, seasonal events in the area, parking information or even safety requirements when visiting. 

For example, a B&B business might create a guide on local attractions, places to eat and things to do whilst staying in one of their properties. 

5. Search for inbound links 

Acquire backlinks from local websites and directories to boost your local authority. This shows Google that you are trusted by other authorities in your area, and will also help potential customers find your website through means other than organic search and ads. 

6. Ensure your website is mobile friendly 

Mobile-friendly websites are no longer nice to have, they are a necessity. In fact, people search for local businesses on their mobile phone whilst out and about more often than any other method of search. 

This makes it vital for you, as a local business, to have a responsive, modern and mobile friendly website.

88% of searches for local businesses on a mobile device either call or visit the business within 24 hours - Nectafy

Join local Listings

Local directories and listings, such as Yelp, Yellow Pages, and TripAdvisor, are excellent platforms for increasing your online visibility. By registering your business on these platforms, you expand your digital footprint and make it easier for potential customers to find you.

At Infoserve, we manage local listings for you with our Listings Manager.

Print marketing 

In the digital age, traditional marketing methods still have their place. Distributing flyers in your community, advertising in local newspapers, and sponsoring community newsletters can help your business get noticed by residents in your area.

Partner with other local businesses 

Collaborating with other local businesses can be a win-win. By forming partnerships, you can reach a new set of customers who are already engaged with complementary products or services. 

You should: 



• Identify Complementary Businesses: Look for businesses that share your target audience but don't directly compete with you.
• Create Joint Promotions: Develop joint marketing campaigns, promotions, or events to attract shared customers.
• Develop a social media campaign: Joining forces on social media allows you both access to each other’s existing following. 

Sponsor a local charity 

Sponsoring a local charity not only improves your visibility within your community but gives you and your employees the opportunity to raise money for, and actively engage with, an important cause. 

Search for local charities and find ones that align with the views of the company, or relate to your employees and come up with a fundraising activity.

Run Google Ads 

While organic search efforts are crucial, you can supplement them with targeted Google Ads campaigns that specifically target local search terms and demographics. Google Ads can help you increase your visibility and reach potential customers more effectively.

Ads can be the quickest way to put yourself in front of a local audience if you are running a temporary campaign, or wish to boost the visibility of a specific service or product. 

At Infoserve, we expertly manage PPC Ads to put your business in front of your audience, in your local area. Contact us today to increase inbound enquiries. 

Ask customers for reviews 

Positive reviews from satisfied customers can significantly boost your credibility and attract more local customers. Your Google My Business listing can be one of the most powerful tools for displaying reviews as they will appear as soon as a customer Googles your name. 

But, you should make sure that your business exists on multiple review channels such as Yelp, Trustpilot, Amazon, Which? and even Facebook.

Not sure where to start?

At Infoserve, our SEO, Content, PPC and Listings teams work together to ensure your business is recognised online in your location. To get your website ranking for local search, contact our experts today.