What are the Best Tools for Local SEO?
Local SEO tools can make a big difference. They can help you manage reviews automatically and get your business noticed in local searches, which can lead to long-term growth.
Take KuchyneValent, for example—a local kitchen and furniture maker. They were stuck at $100,000 in yearly revenue from offline sales and wanted to find a way to get more local leads and boost their income.
In 2017, they decided to try SEO to bring more visitors to their website. They used tools for keyword analysis and site audits.
By using Semrush, they managed to grow their annual revenue to over $400,000. Even better, they’ve kept getting steady organic traffic since they made SEO a priority.
In this article, we’ll go over the five best local SEO tools for small businesses and agencies. Let’s dive in!
What Features Do You Need in a Local SEO Tool?
Picking the right local SEO tool can help you show up higher in local searches and attract more customers.
Here are some key features to look for:
- Listing and citation management: Make sure your business name, address, and phone number are accurate and consistent across online directories, local platforms, and review sites. This helps build trust with search engines and improves your chances of ranking higher locally.
- Review management: Keep track of customer reviews, respond to them, and analyze the feedback. Good reviews can boost your local reputation and bring in more customers. Handling negative reviews professionally also helps build trust.
- Keyword research: Find the right keywords that people in your area are searching for. This helps you reach a specific local audience.
- Competitor analysis: See what your competitors are doing with their SEO so you can find ways to do better.
- Rank tracking and reporting: Keep an eye on how your local rankings change over time for your target keywords. This helps you see what’s working and lets you adjust your strategy as needed.
Also Read: What are Some Free SEO Tools for Local Businesses?
What’s the Best Local SEO Tool?
Here are some great tools to help you boost your local SEO:
| Tool | Best For | Stand-Out Feature | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Business Profile | Optimizing your appearance on Google Search | Easy listing management | Free |
| Semrush Local | Managing your online presence across platforms | Map Rank Tracker (heatmap) | $20+ per month, per location; free plan available |
| BrightLocal | Managing and building citations | Citation Builder | $39+ per month; 14-day free trial |
| SE Ranking | Tracking and analyzing local rankings | Position tracking for target keywords | $62+ per month; 14-day free trial |
| Localo | Creating a website and monitoring SEO | Free AI-powered website builder | $29+ per month, per location; free plan available |
1. Google Business Profile
Best for: Optimizing your appearance on Google Search
Price: Free
Google Business Profile (previously called Google My Business) is a free tool that lets you list your business on Google Maps and appear in Google Search results. It’s essential if you’re a local business or agency because many other tools rely on it as a base.
Key Features:
- Listing Management: Easily claim and verify your business. Then, add all the essential details like your address, hours, phone number, and website. This makes it easy for potential customers to find and contact you.
- Online Storefront: Upload high-quality photos and videos to showcase your products, services, or business space. If you run a restaurant or café, you can add a “Menu” tab, so people can check out your menu before visiting.
- Reviews: Respond to customer reviews—both good and bad. Engaging with reviews shows you value feedback and helps you build trust.
- Updates: Use the “Updates” section to share news about events or new products.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Helps you reach local customers searching for your business | Can be competitive in busy areas, so you still need good SEO |
| Lets you share all your details and images to attract customers | If you don’t monitor reviews, it could hurt your reputation |
2. Semrush Local
Best for: Managing your online presence across all platforms
Price: Starts at $20 per month, per location; free plan available
Semrush Local is an all-in-one SEO toolkit that helps businesses and agencies attract new customers and keep existing ones by optimizing their online presence.
Also Read: How do I Use SEMrush for Local SEO?
Key Features:
- Listing Management: Publish your business details (name, address, phone, images, videos) to over 150 directories, including Google, Facebook, Yelp, and TripAdvisor—all from one place.
- Map Rank Tracker: Track and analyze your rankings on Google Maps and compare them with your competitors using a heatmap report.
- Review Management: Manage all your online reviews from Google, Facebook, Yelp, and more in one dashboard. You’ll also get insights like reply rates and customer sentiment trends.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lets you update your business details across 150+ directories | Full Semrush subscription can be pricey for beginners |
| Manage reviews from multiple platforms in one place |
3. BrightLocal
Best for: Managing and building citations
Price: Starts at $39 per month; 14-day free trial available
BrightLocal is a powerful local SEO platform that helps you grow your online presence, track your local rankings, and manage your reputation.
Key Features:
- Citation Tracker: Scans the web for your business details on major directories like Yelp and Foursquare. It shows you where you’re listed, where you’re missing, and if there are any errors.
- Citation Builder: Helps you submit your business to high-impact local directories like Apple Maps and Tripadvisor for a one-time fee starting at $2 per site.
- Reputation Management: Shows all your reviews from different platforms in one place, helping you understand customer satisfaction.
- Google Business Profile Audit: Ensures your business info is accurate and lets you analyze your competitors.
- White-Label Reporting: Perfect for agencies—customize reports with your branding and automate them for clients.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Full suite of tools for local SEO management | Can be overwhelming for beginners |
| Free local SEO courses with BrightLocal Academy |
4. SE Ranking
Best for: Tracking and analyzing your local rankings
Price: Starts at $62 per month; 14-day free trial available
SE Ranking is great for tracking how your local keywords are performing. It provides detailed position tracking and competitor analysis.
Key Features:
- Position Tracking: Track all your target keywords to see how they rank locally.
- Competitor Analysis: Compare your site’s performance with your competitors’ to find new opportunities.
- Comprehensive Reporting: Get detailed reports to understand your local SEO strategy’s effectiveness.
5. Localo
Best for: Creating a website and monitoring your SEO
Price: Starts at $29 per month, per location; free plan available
Localo offers an easy way to create a website and track your local SEO efforts, using an AI-powered website builder that’s simple and effective.
Also Read: How can I Track Local Rankings Using SEO Tools?
Key Features:
- AI Website Builder: Quickly build a professional website optimized for local SEO.
- SEO Monitoring: Keep track of how your website is performing on search engines.
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