"But I get customers from Facebook!" That's what Maria, a local salon owner, told me when I mentioned local SEO. She wasn't wrong – Facebook was bringing her some customers. But she was missing out on so much more.
Here's the reality: When people need a service, they don't scroll through Facebook hoping to find someone. They Google it.
The Numbers Don't Lie
- 97% of people search online to find local businesses
- 46% of all Google searches are local
- 76% of people visit a business within 24 hours of searching
When someone searches "plumber near me" or "best salon in [your town]," where does your business show up? If you're not on the first page of Google, you might as well be invisible.
Local SEO vs. Social Media: The Real Difference
Social media is great for engagement, but it's not how people find new businesses. Here's the key difference:
Social Media
- • People see you by chance
- • Limited to your followers
- • Disappears quickly
- • Harder to find contact info
Local SEO
- • People find you when they need you
- • Reaches everyone in your area
- • Works 24/7 for months
- • Shows your address, hours, phone
What Local SEO Actually Means
Local SEO isn't complicated marketing jargon. It's simply making sure your business shows up when local customers search for what you offer. This includes:
Google My Business Profile
Your business listing that shows up in local searches with your address, hours, and reviews.
Website with Local Keywords
A website that mentions your city, services, and helps Google understand what you do.
Online Reviews
Good reviews from real customers that show up in search results.
The Business Impact
Remember Maria from the salon? Three months after we set up her local SEO properly, she was getting 4-5 new customers per week just from Google searches. Her Facebook page? Still bringing in the same 1-2 customers per month it always had.
The Bottom Line
Social media helps you stay connected with existing customers. Local SEO helps new customers find you when they're ready to buy.
You need both, but if you had to choose one for business growth, local SEO wins every time.