
You know what to do when you want tacos and type "tacos near me" into your phone. Local SEO is what makes sure your taco shop shows up in search results if you're the one making those delicious tacos in Dallas.
Local SEO is the process of improving your online presence so that more people in your area can find you when they search for businesses like yours. People look for these things on search engines like Google Bing and Yelp. It's like a business card for your business's physical location on the internet. You will show up in these local searches if you have a strong local SEO presence. These searches are very important for getting people to come to your store and buy from you.
This is a big deal for a small business in Dallas. Dallas is a big city with a lot to do from the artsy Deep Ellum to the busy streets of Downtown. If you own a small café in the Bishop Arts District or a boutique in the Design District it's important for people in your area to be able to find you. Coffee Shops with Free Wi Fi Dallas TX Last Updated September 2025 ...] says that Almost a third of all mobile searches are about finding a place (https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Coffee+Shops+Free+Wifi&find_loc=Dallas%2C+TX). A lot of people in your area might want to buy from a business like yours.
You may already know about Google My Business (GMB) so let's talk about it. For local SEO you need to do this. If you work in Dallas GMB can help you show important business information right in Google Search and Maps. This has to do with searches in your area.
It's simple to set up or claim your GMB listing. You just need to check that everything is right. Include your business's name address phone number and hours of operation. Also keep them up to date because no one wants to go to your BBQ place right before it closes and find the doors locked.
But what sets GMB apart from other listings? About 5% of people who see a GMB page click on a link call or ask for directions according to BrightLocal 2020 data. That's a big deal because it shows how much a well optimized GMB profile can help you get local customers who are ready to move forward.
Reviews are the best thing you can do for local SEO. How long has it been since you went to a new restaurant without first reading the reviews? That's right. Online reviews can make or break a business's good name in Dallas.
In short reviews are like word of mouth for the internet which is very important for small businesses. People often use these reviews to help them decide whether or not to buy something. A huge 87% of people read online reviews of local businesses according to the Local Consumer Review Survey 2020. Almost everyone!
People in Dallas have a lot of options so they don't mind choosing based on what others say. So ask your happy customers to tell you about their experiences. If people leave good reviews about your business on Google Yelp or Facebook it can help your SEO a lot by getting your business to show up in search results. They also help your business gain trust and credibility.
Let's take a minute to talk about your website. Your website is like your virtual storefront so it should show that your business is doing well in Dallas. For on page SEO you need to do more than just put keywords on your page.
Check that the content on your website is just right first. What do people look for when they want your services in Dallas? These are keywords that are based on where you are. These words are your secret weapon whether you want to find "best coffee shop near SMU" or "plumber in North Dallas."
But don't go too far. Putting too many keywords in a text is bad for both readers and Google. Use these keywords in a way that sounds natural in all of your writing. You should also think about the alt tags for your images the titles of your pages and the meta descriptions. They don't look great but they do help search engines find you.
We can't help but check our phones all the time. We use our phones to look for that new rooftop bar in Downtown or to check our social media. Small businesses in Dallas need to get used to this world that is focused on mobile devices.
You know how people look for things nearby when they're on the go? Based on Decoding Decisions 76% of people who look for something nearby on their phones go to a store within a day. If your mobile presence isn't up to par you're missing out on a lot of Dallas customers who are ready to walk through your door.
Your website needs to not only be there but also work well on mobile. It should load quickly be simple to use and have clear calls to action. Imagine how hard it would be for someone to find your one of a kind art gallery in Trinity Groves. If they have to zoom in and out to see your contact information they might get mad and leave.
Make sure your content looks good on any screen size by using responsive design. Make sure that people can use your site easily on a regular basis. You can use Google's Mobile Friendly Test and other tools to help you make changes. You can find it here.
In the end it's all about being where your customers are. You can be sure that your local SEO work isn't just stuck in a desktop bubble if you make mobile optimization your top priority. If you accept mobile payments your Dallas business will grow.
That's it. Local SEO may not sound exciting but it's a very useful tool. If you own a small business in Dallas you need to make sure that every time someone searches for something you offer they see a friendly "hello!" Now that you know what's going on it's time for you to get started. Your Dallas neighbors are eager to learn more about you.