10 Proven Local SEO Strategies to Help Your Business Grow Online

Having a strong online strategy is critical for any business, especially in Australia, since it is one of APAC’s most connected markets with 97% of the population online and roughly 78% active on social media. If you’re feeling lost with local SEO tips, we at LTBS—your strategic growth partner in digital marketing in Australia are here to help you.

Many businesses have struggled to keep up with this consumer shift. While 9.8 million Aussie households shop online, only about 39% of Australia’s small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) generate meaningful revenue from e-commerce, compared to 67% of SMEs across the Asia-Pacific. So, let’s ditch the one-size-fits-all approach and dive into local SEO strategies that actually put you on the map (literally and figuratively).

Why Local SEO Is the Growth Engine for Australian Businesses

This is the most powerful tool you can use to promote your local business online. Local SEO is the process of optimising your website to rank better for local viewers, which helps your business promote products and services to local consumers.

Local SEO is more than just a marketing buzzword. According to a Google representative speaking at the Secrets of Local Search conference in 2018, 46% of all Google searches have local intent. 

This means when someone types “best shower gel in Melbourne” or “car aftermarket parts near me,” Google prioritises local results. If your business isn’t optimised, you are invisible to that customer.

Businesses that fail to invest in local SEO leave money on the table. Because people searching are usually within the area of the business they want to find, they are much more likely to contact your business if you prioritise local SEO. 

In fact, local SEO fuels growth by making your business visible, trusted, and chosen, which is driven by digital marketing. 

Why Invest in Digital Marketing Now?

The demand is already present in Australia’s online marketplace, and it continues to grow. More than 9.4 million Australian households purchase physical goods online, and online shopping sets new records each year. National online sales jumped 12% to reach $69 billion in 2024, while events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, primarily online in Australia, drew record numbers of shoppers.

However, many businesses have yet to fully capitalise on this demand. A recent analysis revealed that half of Australian small businesses still lack fundamental digital skills, and only 39% generate significant revenue online. In Melbourne’s competitive market, having a robust online strategy isn’t optional, but it’s essential for growth and long-term survival.

The encouraging takeaway on this is that businesses that are willing to adapt have much to gain. By building a strong digital presence and marketing smartly, even a traditional local business can attract customers far beyond its storefront. 

So let’s start mapping out what we’ve been doing for years, what we are doing for our diverse range of clients, and the practical strategies you can use to tap into this opportunity so your business can thrive in Melbourne’s vibrant online economy.

Local SEO Best Practices to Put Your Business on the Map

What should an effective local SEO strategy include? The following 10 local SEO tactics are crucial for boosting local rankings.

1. Optimise Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

The foundation of any online business strategy is a strong digital presence, and that starts with your website and Google Business Profile. They are your storefront, open to the world 24/7.

Just like our client EIZ Technology, you can see their Google Business Profile when you search for their business on Google. This profile helps people understand what their services and business are.

For any e-commerce or service business working on its online presence, a Google Business Profile showcases your business hours, phone number, services, categories, location, photos of your work, and more. 

You must complete every section of your GBP because people want to know and see who they’re dealing with before they contact you.

2. Nail Your NAP Consistency (Name, Address, Phone)

It’s important to be consistent across all platforms to build trust with Google. This is simple, yet many businesses forget to do it. Your business name, address, and phone number need to be exactly the same on every platform you publish this information.

Consistency is the key, and that’s what our client EIZ Technology shows, from their GBP to their website. Their name, address, and contact number are consistent across all platforms, making the business reliable.

Google is cautious about this and notices everything, especially if details don’t match. It’s basic but critical: you must ensure consistency across all online platforms.

3. Optimise Local Keywords

If you want your business to thrive, you must start locally. Optimise your website for local keywords, including city and neighbourhood names. It’s also important to align your keywords with search intent to better match what people are looking for.

4. Build Hyper-Local Content

Write like you live there, or write like a local. Create content around suburbs, regions, and Australian community events. Mention the areas you serve, talk about local landmarks, and discuss problems specific to your area.

The best way to connect with locals is by showing them the latest trends too. Just like the content from our client, Artspire Home, on the topic “Top Australian Interior Design Trends for 2025 You’ll Love,” we showcase what Australians love to incorporate into their homes, based on research and expert designer insights.

The best thing about local content is the connection it creates because this is what community does. By including community references and location-based keywords, you show people that your business belongs in their world.

5. Leverage Local Link-Building

This is where it gets interesting because local backlinks are the strongest way to strengthen your local seo. Google thinks you’re part of the community when you earn links from chambers of commerce, newspapers, and industry directories strengthens your credibility and service. So try to collaborate well with Aussie bloggers, partner with local chambers, sponsor community events because they’re gold for local SEO. 

6. Focus on Mobile-First Website Design

Most people use their phones to search for something. As a mobile-first nation, around 94.9% of Australians access the web via mobile.

Ensure your site is easy to navigate on both desktop and mobile devices, so responsive design and mobile optimisation are a must. Simple menus, clear calls-to-action like “Shop Now” or “Contact Us” buttons, and an aesthetically pleasing, uncluttered layout all improve the user experience.

7. Prioritise Page Speed & Core Web Vitals

Aside from optimising your website for mobile, you must also optimise its loading speed since it is important for mobile searches. Your site must load quickly on both desktop and mobile because speed directly impacts your bottom line. Slow pages drive impatient customers away. In fact, Walmart found that every 1-second improvement in page load time increased conversions by 2%.

Conversely, pages that take longer than 3-4 seconds to load see drastically lower conversion rates. Use tools to test your site speed and address issues by optimising images, enabling browser caching, and using a Content Delivery Network. A faster site means more visitors will stay, browse, and buy.

8. Use Local Schema Markup

In the world of Google, there’s a technique called schema markup that helps Google understand your business better. Schema markup enables search engine crawlers to comprehend your website more clearly by showing exactly what you do, where you are, and how to contact you. By applying local schema markup to your pages, users can see extra details about the page at a glance and at that moment helps them make an informed decision about whether to click or skip it.

9. Collect and Showcase Customer Reviews

Here’s something that may surprise you: for your business to thrive, you need to ask customers to leave reviews for your products or services. Reviews are crucial for local rankings, and collecting them on multiple platforms enhances trust and authority—not just on Google. Businesses with high ratings tend to rank higher in local search results.

To rank higher, don’t be afraid to ask. Request reviews from happy customers by saying something like, “If you're pleased with our work, would you mind leaving us a quick review on Google?” Most people will gladly say yes and do it.

Finally, respond to all reviews promptly to show you’re willing to engage with customers. Most importantly, address negative feedback professionally and let customers know you’re committed to improving your products and services. Be transparent and reassuring as possible. 

10. Track Performance with the Right Tools

Every business has to track its performance and record it in order to gain knowledge of whether it’s profitable or not. Performance tracking helps you create a better workflow, identify what works for your business, and devise a plan for optimisation and improvement as time goes on.

For that to happen, you need the right tools and metrics. The following are the best tools for local SEO, and these are what we’re using at LTBS, and you can use them too:

1. Google Search Console: Provides insights into how your website performs in Google search results. It shows which queries bring users to your site, tracks click-through rates, and alerts you to technical issues affecting visibility.
   
   
2. Semrush: A powerful SEO toolkit that helps you research keywords, analyse competitors, audit your site for errors, and track your rankings over time.
   
   
3. Google Analytics (GA4): Tracks how users interact with your website, including traffic sources, time spent on pages, conversions, and audience behaviour. It’s essential for measuring ROI and customer journeys.
   
   
4. AnswerThePublic: Visualises what people are searching for online by showing questions and phrases related to your keywords. It’s great for content ideas and understanding customer intent.
   
   
5. Ahrefs: Known for its backlink analysis, this tool also offers keyword research, rank tracking, and site audits to strengthen your SEO strategy.

Investing in the right SEO tools for continuous growth and success helps your business thrive. You can plan and identify what’s working, what’s not, and what to improve—making you more strategic in your business.

Drive Traffic with Digital Marketing (SEO, Social Media & More)

Once your website is in good shape, the next challenge is attracting visitors. The mindset, “Build it and they will come” unfortunately doesn’t apply on the internet, you have to proactively drive traffic. 

Digital Marketing is more than just SEO. While SEO helps you rank and get discovered, strategies such as the following amplify your visibility and build stronger customer relationships. Let’s break down the key tactic that you could use to your business: 

Search Marketing

We’ve already touched on SEO, which is the organic (unpaid) side of search. Ensuring your site ranks well for relevant search queries can continuously bring in new customers who are actively looking for what you offer. 

In addition to on-site optimisations, consider off-site SEO efforts like building backlinks from other reputable Australian websites (for example, being featured in an industry association directory or a local Melbourne news article). 

High-quality backlinks act as “votes of confidence” in your site’s authority. You may also explore Google Ads (Search Engine Marketing, SEM) to bid on keywords so your site appears in sponsored results. This can be effective for competitive keywords where organic ranking is tough, or for short-term promotions. 

Many businesses use a combination of SEO (for sustainable long-term traffic) and SEM (for immediate visibility) to dominate search results. 

Social Media Marketing

Australians are avid social media users, nearly 78% of the population is active on social platforms, which makes social media a powerful channel to build brand awareness and engage customers.

The first and foremost thing to do when you do social media marketing is identify where your target audience spends their time (be it Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, or others) and establish an active presence there. In our blog Social Media Marketing 101: How to Build a Brand People Talk About, we share how social platforms spark conversations and turn customers into loyal advocates.

Also, don’t forget that regularly posting useful or inspiring content helps keep your business top of mind. The goal is to spark conversations and encourage sharing, essentially word of mouth in the digital age. When you’ve done it right, social media can humanise your brand and build a loyal community in the long run.

Content Marketing

Content is the fuel for both SEO and social media. Developing a content strategy means planning out useful articles, videos, infographics, or other media that will attract and inform your audience. 

Think about the questions customers frequently ask and create content that answers them. For example, a local aftermarket parts e-commerce store like Mars Performance could write a blog post such as “How to Modify Your Car Without Voiding Insurance in Australia: A Guide for Modders.” Not only could this rank in Google for people searching for advice and tips about car insurance, but it’s also great to share on social channels or in an email newsletter.

In content marketing, having high-value content builds your authority and can generate steady traffic over time. It also gives people a reason to come back to your site beyond just when they’re ready to buy. Most important of all, consistency is key—even one new blog or video per month can compound benefits.

Email Marketing 

Don’t overlook the power of email to drive repeat traffic and sales. Encourage visitors to sign up for a newsletter or create an account, perhaps with an incentive (like a 10% off first purchase code). 

This lets you build a database of leads and customers. With permission, you can then send periodic emails and through that you can announce new products, seasonal promotions, or share your latest helpful content. 

Email is highly cost-effective and targets an already interested audience such as people who signed up. Just be sure to personalise and segment your emails so subscribers receive relevant messages. 

Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing is a strategy that has grown rapidly in this digital age, where brands partner with influential people to promote their products or services. These influencers already have established trust and credibility with their audiences, making their recommendations far more impactful than traditional advertising.

This approach isn’t limited to celebrities, it also includes micro-influencers and niche content creators who may have smaller followings but deliver highly engaged and targeted audiences. 

For example, a local automotive influencer can showcase aftermarket parts on their YouTube channel, while a lifestyle blogger might highlight home and furniture brands through Instagram reels or TikTok videos.

For businesses, influencer marketing offers several benefits:

1. ‍Authenticity: Customers often perceive influencer recommendations as more genuine.
2. Targeted Reach: Brands can connect directly with the right audience segment.
3. Content Creation: Influencers produce creative photos, videos, and stories that can be repurposed across marketing channels.
   
4. Boosted Visibility: Partnering with the right influencers helps brands stand out in competitive markets like Melbourne

When done strategically, influencer marketing can increase brand awareness, drive sales, and strengthen customer trust, making it a powerful complement to SEO, social media, and digital advertising.

By combining these tactics, you cover multiple touchpoints: search engines capture the active intent-driven shoppers, social media engages people in their daily digital lives, content marketing casts a wider net via education/entertainment, and email reactivates past visitors. 

Remember, Melbourne’s most successful online businesses are not those who set and forget their marketing, but those who continuously refine their approach. By measuring results and staying agile, you ensure that you’re investing in the methods that actually drive growth. 

This adaptive approach, combined with all the pillars discussed will help you build strong online presence, smart marketing, and customer-centric experience will position your business to thrive in the digital marketplace.

What Actually Happens When You Do This

We are not going to promise overnight success for your business to thrive, because that’s not how it works. The future of business in Melbourne is indeed everywhere, and it is undeniably digital. Customers are online, and they expect the brands they engage with to be online too, while offering convenience, information, and value at the touch of their fingertips.

But for them to work or to thrive for long, you have to follow the right steps. For e-commerce ventures and any business selling or marketing online, the playing field is full of opportunity. The Australian e-commerce market is set to keep growing steadily in coming years, and one thing is for sure: digitally engaged businesses significantly outperform those that lag behind.

By taking a practical, results-oriented approach, like building a robust website, utilising SEO and social channels, focusing on trust and customer satisfaction, and continually improving through data—even a small local business can punch above its weight against larger competitors.

The word consistency isn’t just a word; it’s a mantra you have to follow and practise. Crucially, remember that success online isn’t an overnight sprint, but a marathon of consistent effort.

You don’t have to implement every strategy at once. Take one step at a time, such as starting with the basics (a good website and one or two marketing channels), then layer on more as you grow.

Every step you take, from speeding up your site to responding to a customer’s Facebook comment, contributes to a stronger digital foundation for your business. Over time, these efforts build upon each other into more traffic, more sales, and more loyal customers who become your ambassadors.

Melbourne’s business community is known for its innovation and resilience. By embracing the digital tools and strategies available, local entrepreneurs can not only weather the changing market but truly thrive.

The online world offers the chance to reach far beyond your neighbourhood, to analyse and refine like never before, and to build genuine connections with customers. With a strategy grounded in expertise and trustworthiness, your e-commerce or online enterprise can achieve remarkable results.

In summary, now is the time to invest in your online presence and marketing with confidence. The businesses that do so are seeing tangible growth—and there’s no reason yours can’t be among them. Here’s to your success in the digital marketplace of 2025 and beyond!

Ready to Get Started?

Pick one thing from this list and do it this week. Don’t try to do everything at once—you’ll just get overwhelmed and end up doing nothing. It’s better to take one step at a time.

This is not rocket science, but about being consistent and thinking like your customers.

And remember, LTBS is here to help you on this path. Contact us to guide you along the way and help you thrive in this world. Remember, if you don’t do it now, your competitors might. Don’t let them get ahead of you.