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When it comes to optimizing your website for search engines, there are a variety of factors at play – including your location. The search criteria people use to find goods and services can differ greatly depending on their geographical location. Here, we’ll compare the differences between SEO in two major metropolitan areas: Orlando, Florida, and Chicago, Illinois.

The Importance of Local SEO for Businesses

In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for businesses to reach potential customers. According to a survey by Google, 46% of all Google searches are for local businesses, while 76% of people who search on their smartphones for something nearby visit a business within a day. These statistics highlight the need for businesses to prioritize search engine optimization (SEO) efforts to effectively reach their target audience.

Source: Google Statistics

Investing in SEO can be a powerful tool to help businesses reach their target audiences and drive traffic to their websites. By understanding the unique characteristics and demand in a particular location, businesses can more effectively tailor their SEO strategy to their audience and increase their search visibility. Whether you are located in Orlando, Chicago, or any other city, taking the time to research and optimize your website can help you attract more customers and grow your business.

Related: Top 8 ways to rank a website without link building

Local Search Volume

To begin evaluating SEO needs in various areas, local search volume can be a useful indicator. According to Google Trends, in 2020-2021 the average number of monthly searches for “Orlando SEO” was significantly higher than for “Chicago SEO” – 90 searches compared to 40 searches. This suggests that there is a higher demand for SEO services in Orlando than in Chicago.

Related: SEO vs PPC: Which gives you the best results?

Local Competition

Another important aspect of SEO is the degree of competition in a given location. High competition can make it more challenging to rank for certain keywords and phrases. According to Ahrefs, the difficulty score for the term “Orlando SEO” is 46 out of 100, whereas the difficulty score for “Chicago SEO” is slightly higher at 50 out of 100. While both cities have significant competition, it appears that it may be slightly easier to rank for certain keywords in Orlando.

Local Business Climate

The success of SEO in a given location may be affected by the local business environment. Orlando and Chicago both have strong business communities, meaning that companies in those cities may need to invest more in SEO in order to stand out from the competition. According to a 2020 ranking by Inc., Orlando ranked 12th on their list of the best U.S. cities for starting a business, while Chicago came in at 13th.

Keyword Differences

It is essential to take into account how the most popular search terms for each area will vary due to geographical and cultural distinctions. Here are examples of the words and phrases that are frequently searched for in various areas in Orlando and Chicago.

Local Restaurants

Local Interests

Local Environmental Services

Local Climate-Related Services

The Role of Location in Keyword Differences

While comparing high-volume keyword phrases in different locations can be helpful, it’s important to recognize that search trends can vary greatly by location. This means that even relatively similar keywords may have drastically different search volumes in different places.

For example, the term “pizza delivery” has an average monthly search volume of around 2,900 in Chicago, while it has an average monthly search volume of around 1,000 in Orlando. This is likely due to the fact that Chicago has a well-known reputation for deep dish pizza, which is a local specialty that people may search for more frequently. Similarly, the term “beach resort” has an average monthly search volume of around 1,000 in Orlando, but only around 170 in Chicago, likely reflecting the fact that Orlando is located near several popular beaches, whereas Chicago is not.

In summary, while broad SEO statistics can be helpful in understanding overall trends, it’s important to conduct location-specific keyword research to ensure that you’re focusing on the most relevant and popular search terms for your location and target audience.

Related: Why You Can’t Ignore Marketing for Manufacturers

Conclusion

Comparing SEO in different cities can offer valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities for businesses in those areas. While both Orlando and Chicago have active and competitive business environments, Orlando appears to have greater demand, while Chicago has slightly higher competition. Regardless of your business location, focusing on relevant keywords and phrases, high-quality content, and a user-friendly website design can help drive traffic, boost engagement, and reach more potential customers.