When someone in your town searches for what you offer, do they find you or your competitor? Local SEO is everything you do to rank higher in Google for searches in your area, both in the map results and in the normal search results. The good news: it’s one of the most effective forms of marketing for small businesses, and much of it you can do yourself.
Here are 10 practical local SEO tips for small businesses in Haarlem, Amsterdam, Zandvoort and the rest of the Netherlands.
1. Set up and complete your Google Business Profile
This is the foundation of local SEO. A complete, verified profile is what gets you into the Google Maps results. Read our step-by-step Google Business Profile guide to set yours up properly.
2. Target the words your customers actually use
Think about how your customers search. In the Netherlands, many people search in Dutch, for example “kapper Haarlem”, “loodgieter Amsterdam” or “website laten maken”. If your customers search in Dutch, your website needs Dutch content too.
3. Mention your location on your key pages
Put your town or region in your page titles, headings and text, where it reads naturally. “Bike repairs in Haarlem” tells Google much more than just “bike repairs”.
4. Keep your business details consistent
Your business name, address or service area, phone number and website should be exactly the same on your website, your Google Business Profile and every other listing. Inconsistent details confuse Google and customers.
5. Collect and reply to reviews
Reviews are one of the strongest local ranking factors. Ask every happy customer, make it easy with a direct link, and reply to every review, positive or negative.
6. List your business in relevant directories
Besides Google, add your business to Bing Places, Apple Business Connect and trusted directories in your industry. Quality matters more than quantity, so skip spammy link directories.
7. Earn local links
Links from other local websites show Google you’re part of the community. Think of your local business association, a sports club you sponsor, suppliers, partners or a local news site writing about you.
8. Make your website fast and mobile-friendly
Most local searches happen on a phone, often on the go. A slow or clumsy mobile site sends visitors straight back to Google. Compress your images, use good hosting and test your site on your own phone.
9. Create genuinely local content
Write about projects you did in your area, local events or questions customers in your region ask. Avoid copying the same page for ten different towns with only the place name changed; Google sees through that.
10. Measure your results
Use Google Search Console to see which searches you appear for, and the insights in your Google Business Profile to see how many people call, click or ask for directions. Double down on what works.
Local SEO takes time, but it pays off
Expect to see the first results after a few weeks and real progress after a few months. Unlike ads, the visitors you earn through local SEO keep coming without paying for every click.
Is your website ready for it? If you’re planning a new one, our guide on what a website costs in the Netherlands is a good place to start.
Prefer to have it done for you? Our SEO service helps small businesses in Zandvoort, Haarlem, Amsterdam and across the Netherlands get found locally. Get in touch for a no-obligation chat.
