You’ve got multiple locations, a quality service, and a solid reputation — but somehow, only a few of your branches show up on Google when people search locally. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
Many multi-location businesses face the same challenge: ensuring every branch is visible and ranking in local search. One branch might thrive online, while another barely registers on the map. It’s frustrating, especially when you know your service is spot on across the board.
You might be asking yourself:
“How do I rank for multiple locations without breaking the bank?”
“Isn’t local SEO just for one-location businesses?”
“What if I don’t have the time or resources to manage SEO for all my branches?”
If this sounds like you, the good news is that multi-location SEO doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. With the right strategy and tools, you can optimise your local presence across all your locations without the stress. It’s all about consistency, local targeting, and smart management.
Ready to improve your rankings for every location? Call Make Me Local on 0800 772 0022 or email hello@makemelocal.com, and let’s put your business on the map everywhere it matters.
“More than 50% of consumers search online to find local businesses, but if your multi-location SEO isn’t set up correctly, most branches won’t even appear. Connect with our experts, and we will help you level up your local presence.”
Local SEO Tips When You Have Multiple Locations
Let’s be honest — managing one location is tough enough. But when you’re juggling two, five, or even fifty branches, the complexity grows fast. That’s where Multi-Location SEO comes in. It’s not just about showing up online; it’s about showing up in the right area for the proper search with the correct details.
1. Build The Foundation: NAP Consistency Is Everything
NAP — Name, Address, Phone number — forms the foundation of professional local SEO services. Consistency across your website, Google Business Profile, and online directories is critical. Even small discrepancies like “Rd” vs “Road” can undermine trust with search engines and negatively impact your local search visibility.
Create a master list of all your branches with correct NAP details.
Ensure that every listing, profile, and citation matches that data exactly.
Use a local listing management tool to automate and monitor changes across directories.
Staying consistent builds trust with search engines and customers, essential for higher local rankings.
2. Optimise Every Google Business Profile – Separately
Your Google Business optimisation must treat each location as a standalone branch. One of the biggest mistakes multi-location businesses make? Copy-pasting the same content across every profile. Google wants hyper-relevant local information. That includes:
A unique, keyword-optimised description for each location
High-quality photos of each premise
Specific business hours and services
Reviews and ratings linked to that particular branch
Check out our blog on the Importance of Google Business Profiles for more tips on making your listings shine.
3. Create Local Landing Pages That Work
Having one “Locations” page with a bullet list of branches no longer cuts it. You need individual location landing pages that are fully optimised for local search.
Think of each page as a mini-site for that branch. It should include:
Clear NAP information
Localised service descriptions with keywords
Embedded Google Maps
Customer reviews specific to that branch
Location-specific FAQS or offers
This is also where store locator SEO plays a significant role — helping customers and search engines easily navigate your locations.
4. Build Local Authority With Backlinks And Citations
Google doesn’t rely on your website or business listing — it also looks at what other sites say about you.
To build trust, you need:
Mentions in local business directories
Backlinks from local news outlets, blogs, and organisations
Citations from chambers of commerce or local partnerships
These local signals prove you’re a relevant part of the community — and they’re critical to strong local SEO strategies.
5. Go Hyperlocal: Be The Name In Your Neighbourhood
Don’t just aim to rank for big towns or cities — focus on hyperlocal targeting. This means tailoring your SEO to small districts, postcodes, and landmarks near each branch.
For example, instead of targeting “gym in London,” go for:
“24-hour gym near Clapham Junction”
“Personal trainer in Islington N1”
This precision helps you rank better and connects with customers looking for a service in their immediate area.
6. Make Review Management A Local Priority
Reviews influence both rankings and conversions, and they need to be location-specific.
Ask for reviews using branch-specific links to Google Business
Encourage staff at each branch to request feedback in person
Respond to reviews per location — this boosts engagement and trust
A business with 100 reviews spread across 10 branches will consistently outperform one with 100 reviews on just one.
7. Centralise And Automate Your Local Listings
Manually updating listings across 10, 20, or more locations? It’s a nightmare. Plus, mistakes are inevitable.
That’s why Local Listing Management tools are so valuable. Tools like BrightLocal or Yext let you:
Sync listings across dozens of platforms
Monitor for incorrect or duplicate listings
Ensure NAP consistency with just a few clicks
Alternatively, partnering with a Local SEO agency can take this off your plate, giving you back valuable time while protecting your online reputation.
8. Use Data To Fine-Tune Performance
Guesswork won’t cut it. To get the most out of your Local SEO strategy, you need to track metrics by location.
Google Business impressions and actions (calls, website clicks, directions)
Local keyword rankings
Organic traffic to individual landing pages
Review ratings per branch
These insights will help you spot which locations are underperforming — and fix them before they become a problem.
Get Your Local SEO, Boosted By Make Me Local Experts
Managing SEO for one location is a task. Managing it for ten, twenty, or more? That’s a full-time strategy. But with the right systems in place, you can ensure every location shows up where and when it matters.
At Make Me Local, we specialise in helping multi-location businesses improve their local search ranking through smart, scalable, and fully tailored SEO strategies. Our team understands what it takes to stand out in each local area while keeping your brand consistent and strong. Here’s why businesses across the UK choose us:
Bespoke Local SEO Strategy
Google Business Optimisation Experts
Consistent Local Listing Management
Landing Pages That Convert
Transparent Reporting & Support
Call us today on 0800 772 0022 or email hello@makemelocal.com to discover how we can help improve your local rankings and drive more customers to every location. Let’s begin your journey to better visibility and higher traffic across all your locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use one website for all my locations?
Yes, you can! It’s often recommended to have one central website for all your locations. The key is creating unique, location-specific landing pages for each branch. This ensures that each location is optimised for local search while consolidating your domain authority for better overall SEO performance.
Can I use one Google Business Profile for all locations?
No, each location should have its own Google Business Profile. Google treats each location as a separate entity, so to improve visibility in local search results, you need a distinct profile for every branch. This also helps you manage local reviews, NAP consistency, and more.
Should each location have its landing page for SEO?
Absolutely! Each location needs its dedicated landing page. These pages allow you to target hyperlocal keywords and include location-specific content, helping you rank higher in local search results. It’s essential for improving the local search ranking of each branch.
Do I need separate Google Business Profiles for each location?
Yes, you do. Each physical location must have a separate Google Business Profile to ensure it appears correctly in local search results and Google Maps. This helps with visibility, customer trust, and reviews.
Can reviews help with local SEO for each location?
Yes, reviews are a huge factor in local SEO. Positive reviews for each location will improve your business’s trustworthiness and help you rank higher in local search results. Encourage customers to leave reviews for each branch, and ensure you respond to them!
Is it better to use subdomains or subfolders for location pages?
Using subfolders (e.g., yoursite.com/location1) rather than subdomains (e.g., location1.yoursite.com) is a good idea. Subfolders are treated as part of the main domain, which helps with your overall domain authority and makes it easier to manage SEO.
How do I rank in the local map pack for multiple locations?
Ranking in the local map pack requires optimising your Google Business Profiles, maintaining NAP consistency, and building local citations for each location. Also, creating location-specific content and ensuring you get local reviews for each branch can significantly boost your chances of appearing in the map pack.
How often should I update my local pages for SEO?
Regular updates are crucial. Aim to refresh your local landing pages every 3-6 months to keep the content relevant and up-to-date. This includes adding new customer reviews, updating business hours or services, and ensuring all SEO elements (such as keywords and local references) are current.
22nd October 2024