What Is Local SEO?

Local SEO = optimizing your online presence so nearby clients can find and choose you. It’s search engine optimization focused on:

• Your city
• Your neighborhood
• Your service area

If you are in Colorado Springs, your goal isn’t to rank nationally. It’s to rank when someone within 5 miles is actively searching for your exact service.

Why This Is a Big Deal (Especially in Beauty industry)

Here are the numbers, and they’re powerful:

• 46% of all Google searches have local intent
• 72% of people who search locally visit a business within 5 miles
• 88% of mobile searches for local businesses result in a call or visit within 24 hours

Translation for you: When someone searches “hydrafacial near me,” they’re not researching for fun. They’re ready to book! That’s high-intent traffic, the best kind.

Is Local SEO for You?

Let’s make this personal.

1️⃣ If You Have a Physical Studio (Brick & Mortar)

If clients walk into your suite at Luxe Cosmetic Studios, then yes, this applies to you. Examples:

• Hair stylists
• Wax specialists
• PMU artists
• Injectors
• Nail techs

If your income depends on someone physically showing up, local SEO is not optional. It's a necessity.

2️⃣ If You’re a Service-Based Beauty Provider

Even if you don’t rely on random walk-ins, you still depend on local clients. Think:

• Med-spa providers
• Bridal hair & makeup artists
• Advanced estheticians
• Skin specialists

You need clients within driving distance.

3️⃣ If You Also Sell Online

Maybe you:

• Sell skincare
• Offer virtual consults
• Run digital education

Just because you can serve anyone doesn’t mean you should ignore your backyard. Local clients:

• Refer friends
• Leave Google reviews
• Tag you on social
• Build word-of-mouth momentum

And yes, meeting clients for consultations instead of just Zoom calls is nice too.

What We’ll Be Focusing On

In the next blogs, we’ll dive into three major pillars of local SEO:

1. Your Google Business Profile
2. Local Link Building
3. Local Keywords

Why is it worth our time in learning more about these?

1. Your Google Business Profile (Non-Negotiable)

When someone searches for services like:

• “balayage near me”
• “acne facial Colorado Springs”
• “lip filler Briargate”

Your visibility depends heavily on your Google Business Profile. This is what powers:

• Google Maps
• The 3-pack listing at the top of search
• Your star reviews
• Click-to-call buttons
• Directions
• Hours
• Photos

If your profile is incomplete or inaccurate, you are losing bookings. Period. We’ll soon cover:

• How to optimize it
• What photos to add
• How to structure your description
• Why categories matter

2. Local Link Building (Authority in Your City)

Google wants proof that you’re a real, trusted local business. Local link building helps establish:

• Credibility
• Community presence
• Authority in your area

Examples:

• Being featured in local blogs
• Partnering with nearby businesses
• Local chamber listings
• Community sponsorships
• Cross-promotions with other Luxe tenants

This signals to Google: “This business is part of this city.” And Google rewards  that.

3. Local Keywords (The Words Your Clients Actually Type)

This is where strategy comes in. You don’t just want:

• “facial”
• “hair stylist”
• “lip filler”

You want:

• “acne facial Colorado Springs”
• “curly hair specialist Briargate”
• “natural lip filler Colorado Springs”
• “lash extensions near Northgate”

We’ll cover:

• How to find the right local keywords
• Whether to target neighborhood vs city
• How competitive your market is
• Where to place those keywords on your:
• Website
• Service pages
• Blog posts
• Google profile

The Big Picture

Local SEO isn’t about gaming Google. It’s about making sure that when someone nearby is actively looking for what you do. You’re the one they find first.

You already invested in:

• Your training
• Your licensing
• Your suite
• Your branding
• Your tools

Now it’s about making sure the right clients can discover you. Because the best service provider in town doesn’t win. The one who gets found does.

Ready to dive into Lesson Two?