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SEO by region refers to optimizing your website and content to connect with specific local audiences.
It’s about understanding what people need in their area and making your business visible to meet those needs.
Whether you’re a contractor aiming to expand into new counties or a remodeler looking to grow your client base in your city, SEO by region and local SEO can help you “fly the plane” toward success.
What Is the Difference Between SEO Localization and SEO Translation?
SEO localization adapts your content to fit the culture, habits, and language of a specific region.
It’s like remodeling a kitchen to fit the tastes of a local homeowner – it goes beyond just repainting the cabinets.
For example, you might use the term “bathroom renovation” in Canada but “bathroom remodel” in the U.S.
SEO translation, on the other hand, is a simple word-for-word conversion, which often misses the local nuance needed to resonate with your audience.
How Do You Choose the Right URL Structure for Regional SEO?
Think of your URL structure as the foundation of your website’s “home.”
It needs to fit your business goals.
Here are your three main options:
- Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs): This is like building separate houses for each region, such as “yourbusiness.ca” for Canada.
- Subdomains: A flexible option, such as “ca.yourbusiness.com.” Think of it as having multiple apartments in the same building.
- Subdirectories: The easiest for smaller trades businesses, like “yourbusiness.com/ca.” This keeps all your content in one place while organizing it for regional audiences.
Advice for Contractors:
If you’re expanding into new areas, subdirectories are an efficient way to keep your SEO by region manageable while serving customers in different places.
What Technical Steps Are Needed for Regional SEO?
A strong regional SEO strategy requires attention to detail:
- Hreflang Tags: These tell search engines which region and language to show your content in.
- Mobile Optimization: Many people search locally on their phones—like a homeowner searching “local roof repair” in the middle of a storm.
- Local SEO Trackers: Tools like BrightLocal help monitor your performance in specific regions, showing you exactly where you stand.
For Home Remodelers:
Think of technical SEO as your blueprint.
Without it, your content could get lost, and homeowners might choose another remodeler who shows up first in local searches.
How Do You Identify and Prioritize Regional Markets?
Start by exploring where your potential clients are searching from:
- Check Website Traffic: Look at your analytics to see where users are already finding you.
- Evaluate Competitors: See what similar businesses are doing in those regions.
Once you’ve found your target market, create region-specific content.
For example, if you’re a contractor expanding from Texas to Oklahoma, build landing pages that speak directly to the needs of homeowners in Oklahoma – like “storm-resistant roofing for Oklahoma homes.”
Why Local SEO Is Important for Trades Businesses
Here is why local SEO is important for trade businesses.
Tools like a local SEO tracker help you see how well you rank in specific zip codes or towns.
For example, a homeowner searching “bathroom remodeler in Portland” will find you faster if your regional SEO is in place.
For trade businesses, the competition is often local, and being visible in those searches can make the difference between landing a project or losing it to a competitor.
Tools like a local SEO tracker help trade businesses monitor their rankings and identify areas to improve, while region-specific strategies – like optimizing for Google Business Profile – can build trust and visibility in your service area.
Wrapping Up
SEO by region allows you to focus on the people who need your services the most, no matter where they are.
Whether you’re a remodeler trying to grow locally or a contractor expanding into new territories, building a strategy tailored to regional needs will help you stand out.
Start by identifying where your potential customers are, adapting your content to fit their region, and using tools like a local SEO tracker to guide your progress.
This approach doesn’t just support your business – it serves the greater good by connecting you with the people who need your services most.