10 Local SEO Tactics That Drive Customer Traffic in 2025

Last Updated on 25 September 2025 by Dorian Menard

Want to attract more local customers in 2025? Local SEO is the key to connecting with nearby audiences and driving traffic to your business. Here’s a quick breakdown of the top 10 tactics you need to know:

• Optimise Your Google Business Profile (GBP): Keep your GBP updated with accurate details, high-quality visuals, and regular posts to boost visibility.
• Use Location-Specific Keywords: Target phrases like “plumber in Brooklyn” or “best cafe near Central Park” to align with local search intent.
• Build Local Backlinks: Partner with local organisations, directories, and news sites to strengthen your online presence.
• Leverage Advanced SEO Tools: Use AI-powered tools for tracking rankings, managing reviews, and optimising your strategy.
• Ensure Consistent Business Listings: Keep your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) details consistent across directories.
• Create Localised Content: Write guides, event updates, and community-focused posts to engage your audience.
• Manage Customer Reviews: Respond promptly to reviews and encourage positive feedback to build trust and improve rankings.
• Work with Local SEO Agencies: Gain expert insights and advanced techniques to stay competitive.
• Publish Local Guides: Offer valuable resources like area-specific guides to attract organic traffic.
• Track and Analyse Results: Regularly monitor metrics like visibility, engagement, and conversions to refine your strategy.

Key Takeaway: In 2025, success in local SEO requires a mix of accurate business information, location-focused content, and smart tools. Start implementing these strategies today to stay ahead of the competition!

1. Update and Optimise Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) plays a key role in improving local search visibility in 2025. Keeping your profile accurate and complete helps your business stand out in search results.

Start by double-checking the essentials: your business name, address, phone number (NAP), operating hours (including holiday schedules), business categories, and service area details.

To go beyond the basics, take full advantage of GBP’s features to boost your profile. Add high-quality photos and videos that highlight your products, services, and location. Visual content has become increasingly important for search rankings.

Areas to Focus On:

• Business Attributes: Add details like "outdoor seating" or "pet-friendly" to highlight what makes your business special.
• Products and Services: Regularly update your catalog with accurate pricing and availability to improve search relevance.
• Posts and Updates: Share weekly posts about events, promotions, or news to keep your profile active and engaging.

Suggested Optimisation Schedule

Use Google Business Profile Insights to monitor your performance. Key metrics include:

• Search visibility
• Customer actions like website visits, calls, and directions
• Engagement with photos and videos

If you manage multiple locations, create separate GBP listings for each one. Customise the content for each location to improve accuracy in local searches.

A well optimised GBP increases your chances of showing up in "near me" searches, which can lead to more calls, visits, and sales. Once your GBP is in great shape, ensure your website content is optimised with location-specific keywords to strengthen your local search presence even further.

2. Use Location-Specific Keywords

After setting up your Google Business Profile, it’s time to align your website content with local search intent by using the right keywords. Location-specific keywords help connect your services or products with geographic areas, making it easier for local customers to find you.

Keyword Research That Works

Use tools like keyword research platforms to find phrases that combine your services with specific locations. For example, instead of just targeting "Italian restaurant", aim for phrases like "Italian restaurant in Manhattan" or "best pasta in NYC."

Where to Place Keywords

Make sure these keywords appear in the right spots on your site:

• Add location keywords to page titles, H1, and H2 tags for better relevance.
• Use them in meta descriptions to boost click-through rates.
• Naturally weave them into your content to keep it engaging and readable.

Go Long-Tail for Specific Needs

Long-tail keywords – phrases that are more detailed and specific – are often less competitive and highly effective for reaching local customers.

Content Ideas for Local Audiences

Create content that speaks directly to your community:

• Build pages or guides for specific neighborhoods or service areas.
• Write about local events, activities, or your involvement in the community.
• Share local success stories or case studies to build trust.

Use tools like Google Analytics to monitor how your location-based keywords are performing. Adjust your approach based on changing search trends and customer behavior.

Once your keywords are in place, the next step is to strengthen your local presence by earning links from nearby websites.

3. Build Links from Local Websites

Building links from local websites helps search engines see your business as a trusted part of the community. These links can boost your visibility in local search results and strengthen your online presence. They are important if you are trying to dominate Perth SEO results.

Sources for Local Links

Building Real Local Connections

When paired with location-specific keywords, local backlinks send strong signals to search engines, helping you rank better in your area.

Ways to Engage Locally:

• Partner with local charities or sponsor events to raise your profile.
• Host workshops or seminars for the community.
• Join local business associations to connect with others in your area.

Content Ideas to Attract Local Links

• Create useful resources like neighborhood guides or event calendars.
• Write how-to articles that address specific needs in your community.

Tracking Your Progress

To measure the impact of your efforts, keep an eye on:

• Improvements in local search rankings.
• Traffic coming from nearby websites.
• The domain authority of sites linking to you.
• The number and quality of local backlinks.

Mistakes to Avoid

Steer clear of:

• Buying links or using irrelevant link exchanges.
• Adding your site to low-quality directories.
• Using automated tools for link building.

Focus instead on building genuine connections with local businesses and organisations.

These relationships can lead to natural, high-quality backlinks that bring the right audience to your site. Once you’ve established a solid local link profile, advanced tools can help you fine-tune and expand your strategy.

4. Use Advanced Local SEO Tools

After setting up a solid base with local keywords and backlinks, it’s time to take things further with advanced SEO tools. These tools can help you fine-tune your efforts and expand your reach.

Key Tools and Metrics to Watch

AI-Powered Features

Advanced tools bring a host of AI-driven benefits, including:

• Automated citation updates
• Smart suggestions for responding to reviews
• Forecasting search trends
• Real-time ranking insights and adjustments

Measuring Performance

Keep an eye on these metrics to gauge how well your strategy is working:

• Visibility in local search results for your chosen keywords
• Customer interaction data, like reviews and responses
• Conversions, such as calls, directions, or in-store visits
• Consistency of your business information across various platforms

Streamlining Your Strategy

Boost efficiency by integrating these tools with your marketing platforms. This allows you to:

• Automate updates to your business listings
• Manage customer feedback from a single dashboard
• Distribute local content seamlessly
• Track performance metrics across different channels

Advanced Analytics Insights

Modern tools also offer deeper data analysis, such as:

• Information on optimising for voice search
• Insights into local competitors
• Patterns in customer behavior
• Performance broken down by geographic regions

Once these tools are in place, focus on ensuring your business details remain accurate and consistent everywhere they’re listed. This step is crucial for maintaining trust and visibility.

5. Improve Local Listings and Citations

Let’s dive into optimising your business listings and citations. Once your SEO tools are set, the next step is ensuring your business information is consistent across all local directories. Even small inconsistencies like "St." versus "Street" can negatively impact your rankings.

Key Business Information to Include

Make sure this information is EXACTLY the same across all platforms. Consistency builds trust with search engines and boosts your local search visibility.

Managing Directory Listings

Focus on the most impactful platforms for your business:

• Apple Business Connect
• Bing Places for Business
• Industry-specific directories

To keep things efficient, consider using tools that simplify updating and maintaining your citations.

High-Quality Citations

Not all citations are equal. Prioritise getting listed on trusted sources such as:

• Local chambers of commerce
• Industry organisations
• Local business directories
• Regional news websites

These sources help establish credibility and strengthen your local relevance in search engines’ eyes.

We have a list of 20 of the best free citations available in Australia.

Steps for Keeping Citations Updated

• Quarterly Audits: Regularly check your listings for accuracy.
• Update Procedures: Have a clear process for updating business details when needed.
• Customer Interaction Monitoring: Keep an eye on customer reviews and questions.
• Performance Tracking: Measure how your citations are impacting search performance.

Staying Ahead with Modern Strategies

As local search evolves, so should your approach. Keep an eye on trends like:

• Optimising for voice search
• Ensuring mobile-friendly listing formats
• Using location-based features

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6. Create Website Content for Local Audiences

By 2025, crafting content for local SEO requires more than just adding location-based keywords. With 76% of local mobile shoppers visiting stores within 24 hours of a search, your content needs to meet their immediate needs and interests.

Understanding Local Search Intent

Different types of content serve unique purposes in boosting your local SEO efforts. Here’s how:

Advanced Content Strategies

Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to identify trending local search terms. Focus on answering specific local questions and naturally include references to nearby landmarks, events, and community concerns. This makes your content more relatable and relevant to the audience.

Mobile-First Content Approach

With 61% of consumers favoring mobile-friendly websites, it’s critical to optimise your content for mobile devices. Use clear headings, concise text, fast-loading visuals, and location-specific calls-to-action to ensure a seamless experience.

Content Maintenance

Regular updates are key to staying relevant. Perform quarterly content audits, refresh event calendars, adjust for seasonal trends, and use feedback from customer interactions to improve your content.

7. Manage Customer Reviews and Online Reputation

In 2025, keeping a close eye on customer reviews is crucial for local SEO. With 85% of consumers trusting online reviews as much as personal recommendations, these reviews directly affect search rankings and customer trust.

They not only guide customer decisions but also influence your local pack rankings, making them a must-have in your SEO toolbox.

Review Response Strategy

Responding to reviews matters – a lot. Businesses that respond to reviews are 1.7 times more likely to see higher ratings compared to those that don’t. Here’s a simple guide for handling different types of reviews:

We have created a full article 15 Google review response templates!

Tools for Review Management

The top review monitoring tools can help you stay on top of reviews and respond quickly. Positive reviews not only enhance your local pack rankings but can also increase revenue – just a single-star bump on Yelp can lead to a 5-9% revenue boost. These tools come with features like:

• Real-time notifications for new reviews
• Sentiment tracking through analytics
• Automated systems to collect reviews
• Centralised response management for multiple platforms

Tips for Generating Reviews

Keep your review profile strong with these practical strategies:

• Send review requests within 24 hours of completing a service to get higher response rates.
• Stay active on major review platforms (this ties back to citation consistency from Section 5).
• Use response templates to save time but make sure each reply feels personal and genuine.

Tracking and Analysing Reviews

To measure how well you’re managing reviews, focus on these metrics:

• Trends in overall ratings across platforms
• How quickly and consistently you respond
• Patterns in customer sentiment
• Effects on your local search visibility
• Conversions coming from review platforms

With a solid approach to managing reviews, you’re better positioned to grow your local presence and build trust with potential customers.

We have compiled a list of some of the top review monitoring tools available for Aussie businesses.

8. Work with Local SEO Agencies

In 2025, teaming up with a local SEO agency can help your business stand out. With 76% of mobile shoppers visiting stores within a day of conducting a local search, getting expert help can make a big difference.

While you can handle some strategies on your own, agencies offer the skills and resources to take your efforts further.

Choosing the Right Agency Partner

When selecting an agency, focus on these key factors:

Must-Have Services

A good agency should provide services like Google Maps SEO, reputation management, and geo-grid tracking. These tools are especially useful in keeping up with trends like AI-driven personalisation, ensuring your business stays competitive in the ever-changing local search landscape.

How to Measure Results

To see if the agency is delivering, monitor key metrics like search rankings, traffic growth, customer engagement, and conversions. Keeping an eye on these numbers will show whether your investment is paying off.

Advanced Strategies That Agencies Use

Local SEO agencies often employ advanced techniques to boost your online presence, such as:

• Technical SEO audits and AI-based optimisation to improve rankings
• Locally focused content that resonates with your community
• Integration of advanced tools to make strategies more efficient

In addition to working with an agency, consider creating local guides or resources to further strengthen your local SEO efforts. These can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level while reinforcing your online visibility.

9. Publish Local Guides and Resources

Local guides and resources are a great way to connect with your community while improving your local SEO. By offering area-specific content, you can position your business as a trusted local source and attract organic traffic.

Types of Local Resources That Drive Traffic

How to Create and Maintain Great Content

To make your local guides useful, focus on addressing specific community needs.

Regularly update them with seasonal tips, accurate details, and feedback from your audience. A good example: a local fitness center created an outdoor workout guide tailored to their area.

This not only brought in backlinks but also drove more organic traffic by solving a real need.

Getting Your Guides Seen

Promote your guides by sharing them with local business networks, community groups, and local media. Use email marketing to keep your subscribers updated, and actively respond to feedback to keep your content relevant and useful.

Tracking Success

Keep an eye on these metrics to measure how well your guides are performing:

After publishing and promoting your guides, tracking their performance is key. This will help you fine-tune your strategy and make your content even more effective.

10. Track and Analyse Local SEO Results

Keeping tabs on your local SEO performance is key to improving your business’s online presence. By regularly monitoring specific metrics, you can make informed decisions to boost your visibility in local search results.

Metrics You Should Watch

Using Analytics Tools the Right Way

Platforms like Google Analytics and Search Console are your go-to tools for tracking local SEO. Use them to monitor traffic from specific locations and dig into the "Queries" report in Search Console. This helps you identify which local keywords are driving results.

Insights from Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile can provide a wealth of data to refine your approach:

Learn how to use Google Business Profile insights for your local business performance!

Regular Monitoring for Better Results

Check your keyword rankings, local traffic, conversions, and competitor activity every month to spot trends and new opportunities. Use this data to:

• Update meta descriptions and title tags with location-specific keywords and compelling offers to boost click-through rates.
• Analyse engagement metrics to see which content resonates most with your audience.
• Adjust based on competitor insights to stay competitive.
• Apply learnings from earlier tactics, like keyword optimisation and content strategies.

Turning Data Into Action

Look for patterns in your data, such as keywords with high impressions but low clicks, and tweak your approach to close these gaps. Use your findings to:

• Fine-tune your local content.
• Update and optimise your business listing details.
• Improve how you respond to customer reviews.
• Focus on high-performing keywords in your area.

Conclusion

As we progress through 2025, local SEO is changing fast, making it essential for businesses to stay on top of effective strategies. The methods discussed here provide a solid plan to boost local visibility and attract more customers.

Key Areas to Prioritise

Strong Foundations
An optimised GBP profile and location-specific keywords are essential for success, often leading to up to 20% higher engagement rates. Keeping your business information accurate across platforms builds consistency and trust.

Connecting with the Community
Producing local content and actively managing reviews helps strengthen connections with your community while increasing visibility. Focus on offering useful resources and keeping open communication with customers to foster loyalty.

Staying Technically Sharp
Leverage advanced tools and track performance metrics to refine your efforts. Keep up with trends like AI-driven personalisation and voice search optimisation to remain competitive in your local market.

Preparing for What’s Next

The world of local SEO is constantly shifting with new technologies and platforms. To stay ready, ensure your business listings are always up to date and optimise for voice search by using conversational keywords. Focus on:

• Regular updates to your online presence
• Voice search optimisation with natural language content
• Embracing AI-powered search trends
• Ongoing monitoring and fine-tuning of your strategy

Thriving in 2025 means combining core tactics, community engagement, and advanced tools. By staying active and ready to adjust, your business can succeed in the ever-changing local SEO environment.

FAQs

How to rank higher on maps?

If you’re aiming to improve your Google Maps ranking in 2025, here are some practical steps to follow:

Optimise Your Google Business Profile
Make sure your Google Business Profile (GBP) is fully filled out and always up-to-date with accurate details. Consistency is key – ensure your business information matches across all platforms.

Build Local Presence
Strengthen your local credibility by focusing on these actions:

• Respond to customer reviews quickly (ideally within 24 hours).
• Create location-specific content for your website.
• Engage actively with your local community.
• Use high-quality visual content to showcase your business.

Here’s a quick breakdown of factors that influence your Maps ranking:

Pro Tips for Optimisation
Leverage AI tools to manage your online presence more efficiently. Add location-focused keywords to your GBP descriptions, and use platforms like Google Analytics and Search Console to monitor your progress.

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