Guide for businesses
Local SEO: how to appear on Google in your town
By Alex MG Studio · · 6 min read
Quick answer
Local SEO is the work that makes your business appear when someone searches for a service in your town or “near me”. It rests on four pillars: a website that clearly says what you do and where, a complete Google Business Profile, customer reviews and the same contact details everywhere.
When someone searches for “plumber in Almería” or “hair salon near me”, Google first shows a map with three businesses and, below it, the websites. Local SEO means working to be in both places.
1. A website that says what you do and where
- Your town in the title and in the copy, naturally: “Car garage in El Ejido”.
- A section or page for each service and, if you work in several towns, a page for each area with genuinely useful content (not copied text with the town name swapped).
- Structured data that tells Google what business you are, where you are and what you do.
- Fast and mobile-friendly: most local searches are made on a phone.
For example, on this website I have specific pages for El Ejido, Almería and Roquetas de Mar.
2. A complete Google Business Profile
This is what decides whether you appear on the map: the right category, opening hours, photos, services and a link to your website. I explain it step by step in how to appear on Google Maps.
3. Customer reviews
Reviews affect both your position and the customer’s decision. Ask satisfied customers for them with a direct link and reply to all of them, including negative ones. Never buy them or make them up.
4. The same details everywhere
Your name, address (or area) and phone number should be exactly the same on your website, on Google Maps, on your social media and in directories such as Páginas Amarillas, Bing Places or Apple Maps. Contradictory details reduce Google’s trust.
5. Links from websites in your area
Links from traders’ associations, the chamber of commerce, suppliers or local media strengthen your relevance in your town.
How long does it take to see results?
It depends on the competition in your sector and your town. It is usual to notice the first changes within a few weeks and solid results after a few months of steady work: reviews, new photos and an up-to-date website.
Mistakes to avoid
- Adding keywords to your business name on Google Maps (it is against the rules).
- Having duplicate listings or listings with different details.
- A website without your town or your services in the copy.
- Area pages copied from one another.
And at Alex MG Studio? I work with three fixed-price plans for businesses all over Spain:
- Basic Plan, €149 + VAT: a one-page, mobile-friendly website with WhatsApp and call buttons, published on your domain.
- Business Plan, €290 + VAT: all of the above plus persuasive copy, local SEO and set-up in Google Search Console.
- Pro Plan, €490 + VAT: everything above with several pages, bookings or a calendar and custom animations.
- Optional maintenance, €19 + VAT a month: monthly changes, checks and backups, with no minimum term.
Payment: 25% when we start and 75% before delivery. The domain and hosting are registered in your business’s name, so the website is 100% yours.
See what each plan includes or request a no-obligation quote.