Local search is becoming increasingly important for businesses looking to drive foot traffic and increase local conversions. Studies show that close to 50% of mobile searches have local intent.
However, optimizing for local SEO can be challenging with having to manage listings, citations, reviews and more across multiple platforms. This is where local SEO plugins come in to simplify local optimization efforts.
What are Local SEO Plugins?
Local SEO plugins are tools specially designed to optimize websites for local search performance. Unlike general SEO plugins, they include features tailored for local businesses such as location pages, address markup, and integration with Google My Business listings. The core functionality is to improve local SEO on-page factors, automate citation building, facilitate customer reviews and analytics.
Benefits of Using Local SEO Plugins
Using a dedicated local SEO plugin can greatly simplify your optimization efforts and amplify your local search visibility. Here are some of the major benefits:
Simplified Listings Management
Manually updating and syncing your business listings across various directories like Google My Business, Apple Maps and Bing Places is extremely tedious. Local SEO plugins integrate directly with these platforms, allowing you to seamlessly push updated listing information to all of them right from your website’s dashboard. Some plugins even facilitate requesting and publishing listing edits, allowing you to quickly rectify any incorrect details.
Enhanced On-Page Optimization
Proper on-page SEO optimization is crucial for ranking well locally. Local SEO plugins make it simple to optimize pages, posts and location landing pages with relevant local keywords, business addresses, opening hours schema and area served. This helps search engines better understand your local relevancy and improves ranking potential. Some plugins even provide intelligent content optimization suggestions tailored to your business type.
Automation of Advanced Tasks
Plugins can effectively automate complex and repetitive local SEO tasks in the background without you having to do the heavy-lifting. For instance, they can automatically embed localized location tags, build and submit XML sitemaps containing all your location pages, and even identify and build local backlinks from high-authority niche directories. This frees you up to focus on other marketing initiatives.
Powerful Analytics
The in-built analytics provided by local SEO plugins offer valuable performance insights not available on search engines. You can easily track your local organic rankings, most successful location pages and even identify competitor growth trends. Further analytics on search impressions, click-through rates, keywords and traffic sources facilitate better optimization decisions.
Better Overall Local Presence
Rather than handling individual local ranking factors like reviews, citations, link building in isolation, local plugins unify them on one platform allowing you to holistically improve your local search presence. This multi-channel approach covering both on-site and off-site factors is key for sustainable high local search visibility.
Top Local SEO Plugins and Features
Yoast Local SEO
A user-friendly plugin optimized for local search success. Key features include:
- Local Business schema markup for better indexing
- Automated syncing with Google My Business listings
- Detailed location configuration options
- Localsitemap generation
- Support for multiple locations
- Insights on local rankings and keyword optimization opportunities
AIOSEO
An all-in-one SEO plugin with robust local SEO capabilities:
- Advanced location pages and local business schema
- Integrations with top directories like Apple Maps and Bing Places
- Tools to manage customer reviews from major platforms
- Local citation auditor to identify missing listings
- Support for multilingual and multi-city businesses
- Sitemap, content and search analytics related to local SEO
Rank Math
A powerful WordPress SEO plugin with dedicated local SEO features:
- Custom location post types for better optimization
- Local business schema markup on website pages and GMB
- Manual citation builder with over 15 directory integrations
- Local link building recommendations
- Location pages insights and keyword tracking
- Voice search optimization for local businesses
- Tools focused on helping multiple location entities
WP Google Maps
If you want to display custom Google Maps on your WordPress site along with advanced map features, WP Google Maps is an excellent choice. This popular plugin allows you to create multiple maps with custom markers, shapes, routes, and more.
Key features include:
- Multiple map widget options for posts/pages
- Build store locators so customers can find your business
- Add clickable markers, shapes and polygons to maps
- Advanced styling and customization settings
- Driving route functionality
- Integrate maps with Contact Form 7 and events
SEOPress
Focused on advanced location-based SEO capabilities:
- Insights on local competitors SEO strategies
- Automated citation submissions to 50+ directories
- Integrated Google Maps embed functionality
- Landing page builder for geo-targeted campaigns
- Packages for single and multi-location entities
WP Business Directory Plugin
Managing an online business directory? The WP Business Directory plugin transforms your WordPress site into a full-fledged directory. It’s packed with features to showcase business listings and make them easy to update.
Key features include:
- Submit & manage business listings
- Categorize by location, industry etc
- Advanced search and filtering
- Customizable listing fields
- Paid & free listing options
- SEO optimized structured data
- Top Google Map integration
- Multi-criteria sorting & reviews
The Local Ruler
Specialized only for local SEO with features like:
- Local keyword research and tracking tools
- Monitoring and responding to local reviews
- Auditing local pack presence against competitors
- Tracking clicks, calls and direction requests from GMB listing
- Identifying and fixing local NAP consistency issues
- Integration with analytics platforms like SEMRush and Moz
Choosing the Right Local SEO Plugin
With so many options, choose a plugin that aligns best with your budget, business type and scope of optimization needed. Compare ease of use, available features and integrations needed. While premium plugins have more advanced capabilities, free plugins can still be very useful. Test out plugins thoroughly before final selection.
Tips for Using Local SEO Plugins Effectively
Once you have set up your chosen plugin, keep these tips in mind:
- Maintain completely consistent business name, address and contact info across directories and platforms.
- Optimize website content around location-based keywords and local searcher intent.
- Actively collect and manage customer reviews on platforms like Google and Facebook.
- Build high-quality local citations and backlinks from niche directories and aggregators.
- Regularly analyze your local search analytics through plugin dashboard.
Conclusion
Local SEO plugins are invaluable tools for multi-location brands, small brick-and-mortar enterprises, service area businesses, or any entity looking to drive more foot traffic from search engines. They provide the most efficient way to holistically improve local SEO by simplifying otherwise tedious and complex tasks.
When it comes to selecting the right plugin, take your time to thoroughly evaluate your needs, website platform, technical capabilities, budget and business model. Carefully assess features around optimized location pages, citation building, reputation monitoring, Insights and integrations. This will help shortlist plugins that can best support your local expansion goals.
Keep in mind that getting a plugin set up is just the first step. You must invest adequately in engaging and informing local audiences through your content, building your online reputation via reviews and feedback, registering with key directories, and monitoring analytics regularly.
