Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the process of improving your visibility in Google search results. However, not all SEO works the same way. The two most common approaches are Local SEO and Traditional (National) SEO, and each serves a different purpose.
Understanding the difference helps you choose the right strategy for your business.
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO focuses on helping businesses appear in location-based searches, especially for people searching for services near them.
Local SEO is designed for businesses that:
- Serve customers in a specific area (for example, landscapers, electricians, builders)
- Operate from a physical location customers can visit
- Rely on local enquiries, calls, or directions
When someone searches for phrases like:
- "landscaper near me"
- "electrician in Nottingham"
- "best patio installer in Mansfield"
Google prioritises local results, often showing a Google Map Pack of nearby businesses before regular website listings.
A major part of Local SEO is optimising your Google Business Profile, alongside your website and local signals. This guide covers the difference between the two types; for the full picture of how the map pack works and the three things that decide who ranks in it, read what is local SEO.
What is Traditional (National) SEO?
Traditional SEO (sometimes called national or organic SEO) focuses on ranking web pages, not locations.
It is best suited for businesses that:
- Sell products or services nationwide
- Operate online without a physical service area
- Target broad search terms not tied to a location
Examples include:
- Online stores
- SaaS companies
- Blogs, publishers, and national brands
Traditional SEO targets searches like:
- "best website builder"
- "how to improve SEO"
- "dog toys for sale"
These results usually appear as standard blue website links, without maps or local listings.
Key Differences Between Local SEO and Traditional SEO
| Local SEO | Traditional SEO | |
|---|---|---|
| Search intent | People ready to contact or visit a nearby business | People researching information, services, or products on a wider scale |
| Search results | Map pack, business listings, and local websites | Standard web page rankings across the country or globally |
| Ranking factors | Location signals, reviews, business details, and proximity | Content quality, backlinks, and overall website authority |
| Best for | Trades, service businesses, and physical locations | National companies, ecommerce, and content-driven websites |
Which type of SEO does your business need?
Most local service businesses benefit far more from Local SEO than traditional SEO alone.
For example:
- A dentist serving Nottingham needs to appear in local map results when patients search nearby
- A car repair garage relies on local calls and bookings, not national website traffic
- A beauty salon or barber depends on customers finding them quickly on Google Maps
In these cases, Local SEO often generates calls, messages, and direction requests faster than traditional SEO.
Some businesses use both strategies, but for local services, Local SEO is usually the priority.
Why Local SEO is critical for service-based businesses
Local SEO helps:
- Your business appear for "near me" and location-based searches
- Customers contact you directly from search results
- Build trust through reviews and local visibility
- Support your website's overall SEO performance
At the centre of Local SEO is your Google Business Profile (GBP).
For most local businesses, your Google Business Profile is the single most important place to start.
It directly controls how your business appears in Google Maps and local search results, and it often generates calls, messages, and direction requests before a customer ever visits your website.
Even businesses with strong websites often rely on their Google Business Profile as their main source of enquiries.
If you've worked out which type your business needs and want it done properly, our local SEO service handles both sides, from the map pack to organic rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my business do both local SEO and traditional SEO at the same time?
Yes, and plenty of businesses do. The usual approach for a local service business is to nail local SEO first (your Google Business Profile, reviews, and location pages), then layer in blog content that targets wider searches. Trying to do both from day one splits your effort, so start where the enquiries come from fastest.
How long does local SEO take to work?
It depends on your competition and how established your business already is, but think months rather than days. Three to six months is a realistic window for meaningful movement. It can be quicker in less competitive areas; one of our clients, MIW Patios, got their first organic lead in under 90 days. Anyone promising page one in a fortnight is guessing, or worse.
Do I still need a website if I have a Google Business Profile?
You can get enquiries from a Google Business Profile alone, but you'll hit a ceiling. Google uses your website as a ranking signal for your profile, and plenty of customers will check your site before calling. A profile with no website behind it also looks less established than competitors who have both.
Does local SEO work if I don't have a shop or office customers can visit?
Yes. Google calls this a service area business. You set the areas you cover instead of showing a public address, and you can still rank in the map pack for those areas. Landscapers, electricians, and other mobile trades run this way all the time.
How much does local SEO cost in the UK?
UK agencies typically charge anywhere from around £400 to over £1,500 a month, depending on your area, your competition, and the state of your website. Be wary of anything suspiciously cheap, as it's usually automated or outsourced and does very little. If you want to know what it would look like for your business specifically, that's what we cover on a quick call.
