Local SEO is the process of optimising your business’s online presence to increase visibility in local search results on Google. It is essential for brick-and-mortar businesses, service providers, and trades as it helps potential customers find your business when searching for services near them. A strong local SEO strategy ensures your business appears in Google’s Local Pack, Google Maps, and local search results, driving more traffic, leads, and sales.

Google My Business (GMB) is a critical component of Local SEO. A well-optimised GMB listing allows businesses to:
✔ Appear in Google’s Local Pack & Google Maps
✔ Display important business details (address, phone number, hours, website, reviews)
✔ Collect and showcase customer reviews
✔ Post updates, offers, and announcements
✔ Improve local search rankings by increasing engagement signals

Businesses with accurate, complete, and frequently updated GMB listings tend to rank higher in local search results.

Google offers paid ad options for Google My Business, known as Local Services Ads (LSAs) and Google Ads (PPC). These allow businesses to boost their visibility in local searches by appearing at the top of Google Maps and search results.

✔ Google Local Services Ads (LSAs) – Pay-per-lead ads that show your business in Google’s "Google Guaranteed" section.
✔ Google Search Ads for Local Businesses – PPC ads targeting keywords like "best plumber near me" or "emergency electrician Brisbane."
✔ Google Maps Ads – Paid placements that appear at the top of Google Maps results when users search for local businesses.

Paid ads help businesses reach more local customers instantly while complementing organic Local SEO efforts.

Both Local SEO and Google Ads have their advantages, and the best approach depends on your business goals:

✔ Local SEO – Provides long-term, sustainable visibility in local search results and Google Maps without paying for each click.
✔ Google Ads (GMB Paid Ads) – Offers instant visibility at the top of search results but requires ongoing ad spend.

For maximum success, businesses should combine both:
🚀 Use Local SEO for long-term growth
⚡ Use Google Ads to generate quick leads and bookings

To rank higher in Google’s Local Pack (Top 3 business listings):
✔ Optimise your Google My Business (GMB) profile with accurate business details, categories, and images
✔ Encourage customer reviews and respond to them
✔ Add local keywords to your GMB description and website content
✔ Ensure NAP consistency (Name, Address, Phone) across all business listings
✔ Build local citations in directories like Yellow Pages, Yelp, and True Local
✔ Post regularly on GMB to show activity and engagement

Businesses with strong local signals, reviews, and engagement are more likely to rank in Google’s Local Pack.

The cost of Google Ads for local businesses varies based on industry, competition, and location. On average:
✔ Google Search Ads for Local Businesses – Cost-per-click (CPC) ranges from $1 to $10+ per click depending on the industry.
✔ Local Services Ads (LSAs) – Cost-per-lead ranges from $15 to $100+ per lead, depending on competition and location.
✔ Google Maps Ads – CPC varies but is usually lower than traditional search ads.

You can set your own daily/monthly budget, and with proper campaign optimisation, your ROI can be maximised.

No, Google Ads do not directly impact your organic rankings in Local SEO. However, running paid ads can indirectly help by:
✔ Increasing website traffic, which can boost engagement metrics Google considers
✔ Driving more customer reviews, improving your local search reputation
✔ Creating brand awareness, leading to more organic searches for your business

A combined strategy of SEO and Google Ads leads to higher visibility and more customer inquiries.

Customer reviews play a huge role in Local SEO rankings. Google prioritises businesses with strong reviews, as they signal trust and credibility.

✔ Higher review ratings (4.5+ stars) help your business rank higher in Google’s Local Pack
✔ More frequent reviews indicate an active, reputable business
✔ Responding to reviews shows engagement, which improves rankings
✔ Using keywords in reviews (e.g., "best plumber in Sydney") can boost local relevance

Encouraging authentic customer reviews is a powerful way to improve local search rankings.

To measure the effectiveness of Local SEO & GMB Ads, track key performance metrics such as:

✔ Google My Business Insights – Tracks profile views, clicks, calls, and directions requests.
✔ Google Search Console – Measures organic traffic & keyword performance.
✔ Google Ads Reports – Shows impressions, clicks, conversions & cost-per-lead.
✔ Call Tracking & Lead Generation Metrics – Monitors customer inquiries from ads & organic search.

At Content Authority, we provide detailed reports and ongoing optimisation to ensure your SEO & paid ad campaigns deliver results.

At Content Authority, we specialise in helping local businesses and tradies dominate Google’s local search results and paid ads.

✔ Google My Business (GMB) Optimisation – Improve rankings & visibility in local searches.
✔ SEO-Optimised Website Content – Increase organic traffic with targeted local keywords.
✔ Google Ads Management (PPC & LSAs) – Drive high-quality leads with optimised ad campaigns.
✔ Local Citation & Directory Listings – Boost authority with accurate business listings.
✔ Review Generation Strategy – Help build a strong reputation and trust.

We create custom strategies to ensure maximum ROI from both Local SEO and Google Ads so that you rank higher, get more leads, and grow your business.

📩 Want to dominate local search? Contact Content Authority today! 🚀

☎️ Call us: 0490 436 812

or email sales@contentauthority.com.au