Companies that invest in SEO are 13x more likely to achieve positive ROI.
It’s one of the most powerful digital growth channels—but not all SEO is built the same. Some businesses thrive with Local SEO, while others need National reach to stay competitive.
Then the question comes: what is the suitable option that your business needs?
The answer depends on your audience, your goals, and how your customers search for what you offer.
In this guide, we’ll break down Local SEO vs. National SEO—what each approach involves, when to use them, and how to choose the right strategy to grow your business with confidence.
What is SEO?
Before diving into Local vs. National SEO, it’s important to understand what SEO actually is.
SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the practice of improving your website’s structure, content, and credibility so that it ranks more prominently in search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. When done effectively, SEO ensures your business appears in front of people actively searching for the products or services you offer—leading to sustained traffic, qualified leads, and conversions without relying on paid advertising.
If you’re trying to understand what SEO companies actually do—and how pricing works—you may find this article helpful: What Is an SEO Company and Why Your Business Needs One?.
What is Local SEO?
Local SEO focuses on helping your business appear in search results for people searching nearby—especially in map results and local listings.
Local SEO is about owning your geographic market. You’re not trying to compete with the whole internet—you’re focused on ranking in the exact locations where your customers live and search.
For example, if someone searches “dentist in Miami,” Google will display a list of nearby dental offices in the local map pack—showcasing how Local SEO connects businesses with nearby, high-intent customers.
78% of local mobile searches lead to an in-store purchase within 24 hours.
This makes Local SEO essential for businesses that:
- Serve customers in a specific city or region
- Operate a physical storefront or defined service area
- Rely on phone calls, walk-ins, or local inquiries
Does Your Business Qualify for Google Business Profile (GBP)?
Not every business qualifies for a Google Business Profile. Virtual offices, co-working spaces without proper signage, or purely online brands typically won’t qualify. If you’re not eligible for GBP, your Local SEO strategy should shift focus toward organic local visibility without relying on map results.
To be eligible for a GBP listing, your business must:
- Have a physical address where customers can visit (even if it’s your home)
- Serve customers in person—at your location or theirs (e.g., a plumber or home cleaner)
The goal here isn’t just visibility—it’s qualified, high-intent traffic that converts into real business: phone calls, bookings, and foot traffic.
A strong Local SEO strategy includes:
- Optimizing your Google Business Profile
- Building local citations on directories like Yelp and Angi
- Collecting and managing customer reviews
- Creating geo-targeted content and location pages that reflect how real customers search
Local SEO, the goal isn’t just traffic—it’s qualified traffic that converts into phone calls, visits, and bookings. You optimize your Google Business Profile, gather reviews, build local citations, and create geo-targeted content that helps you show up when someone nearby is ready to take action.
What is National SEO?
National SEO is the process of optimizing your website to rank for broad, non-location-specific keywords across an entire country—or even internationally. Unlike Local SEO, it’s not about showing up in a specific city; it’s about being visible wherever your ideal audience is searching.
For example, a keyword like “best electric toothbrush for gum health” isn’t tied to a specific location—it’s searched by people all over the country.
Ranking for this type of keyword helps dental brands, eCommerce stores, or health bloggers attract nationwide traffic and build authority in a competitive, information-driven space.
National SEO is your path to scaling reach and authority. You’re not targeting one neighborhood—you’re competing in the open market to earn traffic from high-intent search terms that matter across regions.
This strategy is essential for businesses that:
- Sell products or services nationwide or online
- Operate without a physical location (e.g., SaaS, digital products)
- Compete in industries where visibility = volume and brand trust
National SEO isn’t about quick wins. It’s about building sustainable growth through:
- Keyword research targeting industry-wide terms
- High-quality, SEO-optimized content that ranks and informs
- Scalable link-building to earn authority and trust
- Technical SEO that ensures performance across the entire site
- Analytics and content updates to stay competitive over time
While National SEO is more competitive, it also unlocks greater potential. Ranking for non-branded terms like “best CRM software” or “how to start a dropshipping business” positions your brand in front of thousands—if not millions—of searchers monthly.
In short, National SEO helps you go beyond location.
It’s about building a brand that shows up, earns clicks, and drives conversions—at scale.
Local SEO vs. National SEO: Key Differences
Now that you understand what Local and National SEO are, how do you know which one is the right fit?
The answer lies in your audience, goals, and competitive landscape. Are you focused on attracting customers within a specific area, or do you need visibility across the country?
Businesses that rank in the top 3 local results get over 50% of the clicks—but national rankings for broad keywords can drive thousands of visits per month if done right.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help you decide:
| Feature | Local SEO | National SEO |
|---|---|---|
|
Target Audience
|
Local customers in a city/region
|
Customers across the country
|
|
Keyword Focus
|
Geo-specific (e.g., “dentist in Miami”)
|
Broad (e.g., “best CRM software”)
|
|
Competition
|
Lower but concentrated
|
High and competitive
|
|
Google Map Results
|
Essential |
Not relevant |
|
Strategy
|
Listings, reviews, local pages
|
Content, links, domain authority |
|
Time to Rank
|
Faster |
Slower (but scalable long-term)
|
|
Typical Goals |
More calls and local visits |
More national traffic and leads |
Whether you’re a service-based business targeting your neighborhood or a fast-scaling brand aiming for national exposure, choosing the right SEO path can be the difference between visibility and invisibility.
Local SEO gets you found by people near you. National SEO gets you found by people everywhere.
Your growth goals will determine which one delivers the results that matter most.
Can You Use Both Strategies?
Absolutely. In fact, many businesses see the strongest results from using a custom SEO strategy or hybrid SEO approach—combining both Local and National SEO to maximize their visibility and growth.
This approach allows you to own your local market while also building broader brand authority. You show up when nearby customers search for immediate solutions—and also when national users look for trusted content, products, or services.
Whether you’re a service-based company, multi-location business, or eCommerce brand with physical stores, hybrid SEO helps you:
- Capture high-intent traffic from both local and national searches
- Diversify your lead sources and reduce dependency on any one channel
- Scale your visibility as your business grows beyond local boundaries
- Build trust across both community and competitive markets
When executed properly, hybrid SEO becomes a powerful long-term growth engine—bringing in local walk-ins, phone calls, online sales, and national brand visibility all at once.
Which SEO Strategy Should You Choose?
Choosing between Local and National SEO starts with understanding how your business operates, where your customers are, and what kind of growth you’re aiming for.
Both strategies serve specific purposes. Local SEO is ideal for businesses that rely on foot traffic, calls, or location-based services. National SEO, on the other hand, is designed for companies that compete in broader markets and need visibility beyond geographic boundaries.
Here’s how to determine which approach aligns best with your business goals:
Choose Local SEO if:
- You serve customers within a specific city, region, or service area
- Your business depends on local leads, walk-ins, or phone calls
- You want to appear in Google Maps, local packs, and “near me” searches
- You operate a physical location or have a clearly defined service zone
Local SEO helps you dominate your immediate market. It’s perfect for businesses like restaurants, clinics, law firms, realtors, and home service providers—where visibility in local searches directly impacts calls and conversions.
Choose National SEO if:
- You sell products or services nationwide or primarily online
- You're targeting broad keywords that apply across cities or regions
- Your competition spans multiple states or operates nationally
- You want to build long-term visibility, thought leadership, and physical location or have a clearly defined service zone brand authority
National SEO focuses on ranking for non-location-specific terms that drive consistent, high-volume traffic. It’s ideal for eCommerce stores, SaaS companies, educational platforms, or brands scaling beyond local borders.
Still Not Sure? Let’s Simplify It:
Choosing the right SEO strategy can feel overwhelming, especially when your business has complex needs or goals. To make it easier, think about where your customers are and how they find you. This simple breakdown can help clarify which SEO path fits your situation best:
- If most of your customers live near your business, Local SEO should be your foundation.
- If your audience isn’t tied to a specific location, or if you’re scaling to reach a broader market, National SEO will give you the reach you need.
- And if you serve both local and national audiences, you may need a hybrid SEO strategy to capture both types of demand.
National SEO focuses on ranking for non-location-specific terms that drive consistent, high-volume traffic. It’s ideal for eCommerce stores, SaaS companies, educational platforms, or brands scaling beyond local borders.
Need Help Choosing the Right Strategy?
Understanding the differences between Local and National SEO is a strong first step—but applying the right one to your business takes more than just theory. It depends on your goals, your budget, and who you trust to execute it.
If you’re at the point where you’re ready to move forward but aren’t sure how to start, here’s what to consider before choosing an SEO partner:
✅ Start with your goals
Do you want more calls, online leads, or brand visibility? Make sure the strategy—and the SEO company you choose—aligns with the results you care about most.
✅ Know your budget
Have a clear investment range in mind. Then, look at what each agency offers for that budget. The best ones will be transparent about what you’ll actually get in return. Check how much it will SEO cost for your business.
✅ Look at real examples
Check their case studies and past work. Have they helped businesses like yours? Seeing proven results can give you confidence in their approach.
✅ Have a real conversation
A quick consultation goes a long way. It’s not just about services—it’s about communication, expectations, and whether they understand your business.
✅ Ask for a tailored plan
Avoid generic packages. A good SEO company will take time to understand your audience and market, then build a plan around that—not just hand over a template.
The strategy you choose and the partner you trust to execute it—can shape your growth for years.
With over 8 years of experience and a 99% client satisfaction rate, W3 Solved delivers SEO outsourcing services built around strategies that actually get results. We help businesses improve their search rankings, attract qualified traffic, and achieve long-term growth.
Reach out to W3 Solved today and let’s build the right SEO strategy for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between Local SEO and National SEO?
Local SEO targets customers in a specific geographic area—like a city or region—while National SEO focuses on ranking for broader, location-independent keywords across the country.
How do I know if my business needs Local SEO or National SEO?
If you rely on nearby customers, walk-ins, or local service areas, Local SEO is essential. If you operate online, serve clients nationwide, or want to scale brand awareness beyond your area, National SEO is the better fit.
Can I use both Local and National SEO together?
Yes! Many businesses benefit from a hybrid approach. For example, a dentist may use Local SEO to attract nearby patients and National SEO to rank for informational content like “best teeth whitening methods.”
How long does it take to see results from SEO?
Local SEO can show results in 3–6 months for competitive keywords in your area. National SEO usually takes longer—often 6–12 months—but scales more broadly once traction begins.
Is Local SEO easier than National SEO?
Generally, Local SEO has lower competition but is more focused and tactical. National SEO is more competitive and requires stronger content, backlinks, and domain authority to succeed.
What are examples of Local SEO strategies?
Local SEO is all about increasing your visibility in location-based searches. If your business depends on nearby customers, these tactics help you show up when and where they’re looking:
- Optimizing your Google Business Profile – Ensures you appear in local map results and showcases your hours, services, reviews, and photos.
- Getting reviews on local directories – Reviews on sites like Yelp, Angi, and Google help build trust and improve local rankings.
- Creating city-specific landing pages – These pages target different service areas and help you rank for searches like “plumber in Austin.”
- Building citations on platforms like Yelp or Angi – Listing your business consistently across online directories strengthens local authority and improves local search visibility.
What are examples of National SEO strategies?
National SEO focuses on building visibility across the country—beyond specific cities or regions. It’s ideal for businesses targeting a broader audience and competing on a larger scale.
Key strategies include:
- Publishing high-quality blog content targeting industry terms
- Building backlinks from authority sites
- Performing technical SEO sitewide
- Ranking for informational or product-related keywords
Can an online-only business benefit from Local SEO?
Usually not—unless you’re targeting a specific area or want to appear in local directories. Online-only businesses benefit more from National SEO.
Does National SEO help with brand recognition?
Yes. National SEO builds long-term visibility, allowing your business to show up in educational content, comparison searches, and product/service queries—building brand trust at scale.
How much does Local or National SEO cost?
Costs vary based on competition, goals, and who’s managing the strategy. Local SEO services might start from $500/month, while National SEO often starts at $1,000/month or more due to content and link-building needs.
Should I hire an SEO agency or do it myself?
If you have the time, knowledge, and tools, you can start with DIY SEO. But for sustained, scalable results—especially in competitive markets—hiring a professional agency can offer a better ROI and save time.
What is the difference between SEO and Local SEO?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) refers to improving a website’s visibility in search engines across all types of queries—local, national, or global. Local SEO is a specific subset of SEO that targets visibility in geographically relevant searches, such as “plumber near me” or “dentist in Dallas.”
What is the difference between Local and International SEO?
Local SEO targets customers in a specific city or region, optimizing for local intent and map results. International SEO focuses on ranking in multiple countries or languages, requiring strategies like hreflang implementation, country-specific domains, and localized content for global audiences.
