Local SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is the practice of optimising your online presence to appear in local search results — when someone nearby searches for a service you provide. For Kerala businesses, local SEO is arguably the highest-ROI digital marketing activity available.
Why Local SEO Is Critical for Kerala Businesses
Google's "near me" search volume has grown consistently year over year. In Kerala, searches like "dentist in Kochi," "web design company Calicut," "ayurveda resort Kollam," and "CBSE school Kannur" happen thousands of times per month. Ranking #1 for these searches means a constant stream of high-intent local customers — for free.
Step 1: Optimise Your Google Business Profile
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is your most important local SEO asset. Ensure it is:
- Completely filled out — business name, address, phone, website, hours, category
- Verified by Google (critical — unverified profiles rank poorly)
- Updated with high-quality photos (minimum 10: exterior, interior, team, products/services)
- Actively collecting and responding to reviews
- Posting weekly updates (Google values active businesses higher)
- Using the Q&A feature proactively
Step 2: Build Local Citations Consistently
A "citation" is any online mention of your business name, address, and phone number (NAP). Consistency is crucial — your NAP must be identical everywhere. Key Indian citation sources include: JustDial, Sulekha, IndiaMart, Yelp India, Foursquare, and local Kerala directories.
Step 3: Optimise On-Page SEO for Local Keywords
Your website must include geographically specific content. Create dedicated landing pages for each city you serve: "/web-design-kozhikode," "/ecommerce-development-kochi," etc. Use city names naturally in headings (H1, H2), meta descriptions, and body content.
Step 4: Schema Markup for Local Businesses
Implement LocalBusiness schema markup on your website. This tells Google precisely where you are, what you do, and who you serve. It dramatically increases your chances of appearing in the Google local knowledge panel.
{
"@type": "LocalBusiness",
"name": "Your Business Name",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"addressLocality": "Kozhikode",
"addressRegion": "Kerala",
"addressCountry": "IN"
},
"telephone": "+91-XXXX-XXXXXX"
}Step 5: Get Local Reviews Consistently
Reviews are a top 3 local ranking factor. Create a simple process: after every satisfied customer interaction, send them a WhatsApp message with a direct Google review link. A business with 50+ 4.5-star reviews will consistently outrank competitors with 5 reviews regardless of other SEO factors.
Step 6: Create Location-Specific Content
Blog posts targeting local search terms build your topical authority. Examples: "Best digital marketing tips for Kochi traders," "How Kollam cashew exporters can sell online," "Website design checklist for Kannur hospitals." Each post attracts local organic traffic and strengthens your GBP relevance.
DBes Techno's Local SEO Services for Kerala
We offer comprehensive local SEO packages for Kerala businesses including GBP setup and management, citation building, on-page optimisation, schema markup implementation, review management, and monthly performance reporting. Learn about our Local SEO services or contact us for a free local SEO audit.
