Hey Business Owner,
In the next five minutes, this post will cover the top eight SEO strategies that leading marketing and SEO agencies use to help local Aussie businesses go from little to no sales to achieving impressive results—like an 89% increase in leads, generating 20 to 30 calls per week, and even cutting down advertising costs.
These strategies haven’t just driven success for Australian businesses over the years; they’ve also earned agencies recognition both locally and internationally.
But before diving into these game-changing strategies, it’s important to understand why local businesses in Australia must prioritise Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) to stay ahead of the competition.
Whether it’s a café in Melbourne, a plumbing service in Sydney, or a boutique in Perth, businesses today need to recognise that the internet is the most powerful tool for getting in front of potential customers.
These days, people don’t only shop for items online, but they also search for professionals and services they can patronise, through the internet as well. In other words, businesses now NEED to sell their brands online if they hope to reach more potential customers.
However, beyond maintaining an online presence that attracts more customers, businesses must also stay ahead of their competitors. This is where the need for the right SEO tips becomes essential.
If a business has struggled to achieve the desired results from SEO—whether due to previous challenges or unsuccessful expert assistance—these short, practical, step-by-step tips will not only demonstrate how to implement SEO effectively but also provide the visibility boost needed to drive more traffic to its website.
So let’s jump right in:
1. Google Business Profile Setup and Optimization
Formerly known as Google My Business, Google Business Profile is one of the fastest ways to appear on Google search results and Google Maps.
With a well-optimised Google Business Profile, whenever customers search for a business near them, in a certain niche, the brand will automatically appear on the results page. Now here’s how a business can complete and optimise their Google Business Profile (GBP) using these steps:
✅ Visit the Google Business Profile to register the business.
✅ Fill in the details – business name, address, phone number, website, and opening hours.
✅ Upload high-quality photos of the business’s products or services, as the case may be.
✅ Regularly update posts, respond to reviews and add FAQs to engage potential customers.
For a better understanding of how important the above steps are, here’s what Google has to say about well-optimised profiles:
A complete and well-optimised GBP not only improves a brand’s local search rankings, but also increases the chances of propsects visiting and patronising the business by upto 50%!
2. Get Listed on Australian Online Directories
Online business directories increase visibility and improve SEO rankings, and Australia has quite a number of really good ones that are tested and trusted.
A business listed there would most likely translate into trust and more SEO rankings.
📌 Here Are Some Of The Top Local Directories To Begin With:
According to The Australian Business Directory, one-third of people find businesses using their smartphones, and 93% of consumers who are your target also search online for local businesses.
When a business is listed in a trusted directory, it has a much higher chance of being found whenever customers search for it online.
Tip: The business name, address, and phone number (NAP details) should be consistent across all platforms.
3. Speed optimised and Mobile-Friendly Website
A business that does not have a website gives customers the perception that it is not up to par. But a business that has a well optimised profile is freed from that risk. Yet, that’s not all.
The website has to be optimised for speed and mobile friendliness not just for your customers alone, but also because Google ranks mobile-friendly websites higher in search results.
When the site loads slowly or isn’t mobile-responsive, potential customers will most likely not patronise the brand because people don’t have that patience or long attention span to wait.
Now here’s how to check for a well-optimised and mobile-friendly website:
✅ Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to check if your site is optimised.
✅ Compress images to reduce load time without losing quality.
✅ Use a simple navigation menu to make browsing easier.
✅ Invest in fast, secure hosting to improve site performance.
Fact: 60% of searches in Australia come from mobile devices – if the website isn’t mobile-friendly, it's definitely leaving a whole lot of money on the table, mate.
4. Create Niche, Relevant, and Relatable Localised Content
Content marketing is one of the best ways to boost local SEO.
Creating niche-specific content not only establishes a brand as an authority within its industry but also prevents mixed messaging.
When businesses create and share blog posts, case studies, or guides that are relevant and relatable to their prospects, they establish themselves as authorities in their field. This approach helps build the KLT (Know, Like, and Trust) factor, which drives engagement and increases sales from visitors..
✅ Write local news or industry updates (e.g., “Top 5 Cafés in Brisbane for 2024”).
✅ Share customer success stories, case studies, and testimonials.
✅ Include local keywords in the content
.( More about this in Tip Number 5 on the list)
Example: A Sydney-based landscaping business could publish “5 Native Australian Plants Perfect for Your Garden” to attract local readers searching for landscaping tips.
5. Focus on Local Keywords In The Web Content
Local SEO is all about using the right keywords to attract nearby customers.
And it is achieved by using the exact same words(i.e keywords) prospects will use when searching for a product or service in that niche, field or industry.
So, how does a business find and use these keywords to your advantage?
✅ Use Google Keyword Planner to find local search terms.
✅ Sprinkle the keywords in your web content
✅ Use location-based keywords in your web content (e.g., “Best coffee shop in Elsternwick” or “Electrician in Parramatta”).
✅ Add the keywords to the page titles, meta descriptions, and blog posts.
Example: Instead of just saying “professional electrician”, optimise with “licensed electrician in Parramatta” for better local rankings.
6. Build High-Quality Local Backlinks
Backlinks (links from other websites to yours) improve credibility and SEO rankings. Getting links from trusted Australian websites tells Google that a site is reliable and relevant.
But such websites don’t just hand out such opportunities so here’s how to get them:
✅ Expertly reach out to local news websites, bloggers, and industry websites for guest posting opportunities.
✅ Sponsor community events or charities and get featured on their websites.
Example: A Melbourne café could collaborate with a local food blogger who writes a review and links back to the café’s website.
With your expertise and the value you bring with the guest post, the publicity makes it a Win-Win for both businesses!
7. Encourage Customer Reviews (And Respond to Them!)
Local SEO is all about using the right keywords to attract nearby customers.
And it is achieved by using the exact same words(i.e keywords) prospects will use when searching for a product or service in that niche, field or industry.
So, how does a business find and use these keywords to your advantage?
✅ Use Google Keyword Planner to find local search terms.
✅ Sprinkle the keywords in your web content
✅ Use location-based keywords in your web content (e.g., “Best coffee shop in Elsternwick” or “Electrician in Parramatta”).
✅ Add the keywords to the page titles, meta descriptions, and blog posts.
Example: Instead of just saying “professional electrician”, optimise with “licensed electrician in Parramatta” for better local rankings.
8. Use Social Media to Boost Engagement
Social media signals play a role in SEO. When people engage with a brand’s content, Google recognizes it as valuable. This is why building a strong social media presence is essential for boosting engagement.
Brands can achieve this by:
✅ Sharing blog posts, promotions, and customer testimonials with their followers or social media audience.
Final Words
SEO is an ongoing process, but by implementing these strategies, a local business can enhance its online visibility, attract more customers, and increase sales.
Quick Recap:
✅ Claim your Google Business Profile.
✅ List your business in Australian directories.
✅ Have a fast and mobile-friendly website where you share valuable, location-based content.
✅Create localised content to remain relevant.
✅ Use local keywords on your website content.
✅ Get backlinks from local businesses and blogs.
✅ Encourage customer reviews and respond to online reviews on your website and profile.
✅ Stay active on social media.
With consistent effort, these SEO tips can help a business rank higher on Google and attract more customers.
For those who found this post insightful, feel free to leave a comment. And if expert assistance is needed to implement these strategies, the team at Search Marketing Group can be help you out.
