Start with location pages for local SEO
Want to be found better locally in Google? Then chances are you need to do something with local SEO. And one of the most powerful, but often forgotten parts of that is the location page. Even if you're based in just one place, location pages can make the difference. In this article we explain what it is, why it works, and how you, as an SME owner, can take the first step in a simple way.
What is a location page?
A location page is a separate page on your website aimed at a specific city, region or neighbourhood. For example:
- yourcompany.com/plumber-utrecht
- yourcompany.com/estate-agent-den-bosch
- yourcompany.com/landscaping-tilburg
The aim of such a page is to be found better in searches such as “plumber Utrecht” or “estate agent Den Bosch”. Not everyone searches on general terms, after all. More and more people type into Google what they're looking for and where. And with a page like this you can respond to that smartly.
Why are location pages good for local SEO?
Very simply: Google increasingly shows local results for search queries. Someone searching for “hairdresser Eindhoven” gets different results from someone in Groningen. And if you don't have a page specifically about Eindhoven, you're often not visible.
A good location page helps you to:
- Become more findable in your region or city
- Show your expertise locally (think of customer cases, reviews or local examples)
- Convince visitors faster that you're ‘the right one nearby’
Also handy: you don't need a physical office everywhere. You can perfectly well offer services in surrounding towns and cities, as long as your pages about them are set up properly.
How do you get started with location pages simply?
You don't have to set up a whole network of pages straight away. In fact: starting with one or two well-built location pages is often smarter than trying to do everything at once.
Step 1: Choose a logical location
Start with a place where you already have customers or where you know there's demand. Think of your town or city, the surrounding region, or a place where your competition is less strong.
Step 2: Create a simple, relevant page
Make sure your page contains at least:
- A clear title such as “Cleaning company in Amersfoort”
- A short explanation of what you do in that region
- Local customer reviews or examples (if you have them)
- A clear call-to-action: get in touch or request a quote
No inspiration? Start with the text of your existing services page, and adapt it to the location.
Step 3: Add internal links
Link from your homepage, your services page or blog to this location page. That way Google understands the page is important.
You can also put something like this in your footer:
“Active in: Amersfoort | Leusden | Baarn”
And you let each of those place names link to its own page.
And you let each of those place names link to its own page.
Step 4: Make sure the page is part of your navigation
Don't hide location pages. Include them in your menu, sitemap or footer. The better they're built into your website, the more seriously Google takes them. Also add local photos, a small map, or even a short video of a completed project in that region. That builds credibility and improves your position in Google.
What BE Digital can do for you
Many SME businesses don't yet have a good local SEO structure. That means there are often still plenty of opportunities. We help you with:
- Setting up smart location pages that are easy to find and fit your brand
- Improving your internal link structure
- Integrating local content into your existing website
- Analysing where local opportunities still exist in your industry or region
Request the BE Digital scan and find out how to approach your local SEO even more smartly, without a major overhaul of your website. Would you rather talk to a specialist? Get in touch!