46% of all Google searches have local intent. And 78% of local mobile searches lead to an offline purchase within 24 hours.
For Austrian businesses, this means: Those not found locally lose customers to competitors every day.
This guide shows you step by step how to reach the top of local search results in Vienna, Graz, Linz, or your region.
What is Local SEO and Why is it Important?
Local SEO optimizes your online presence for location-based searches. The typical customer journey:
- Discovery: "Dentist near me" → Google Maps results, Local Pack (Top 3)
- Evaluation: Read reviews (4.5+ stars), check distance (<5km), check opening hours
- Decision: Visit website (38%), Call directly (28%), Plan route (24%)
- Action: Visit in person (within 24h), Purchase/Booking (78% conversion!)
Bottom line: Appearing in the Local Pack wins the local customer.
Google Business Profile - Your Most Important Asset
The Google Business Profile is more important for local businesses than their own website. 64% of customers use it to find and contact local businesses.
Basics (25% Profile Score)
- Business name (exactly as in legal documents)
- Address verified
- Phone number (local area code!)
- Website URL
- Category (primary + secondary)
Extensions (50% Profile Score)
- Opening hours (including holidays)
- Description (750 characters, keywords!)
- Attributes (wheelchair accessible, WiFi, etc.)
- Services/products with prices
- Booking link (if applicable)
Visuals (75% Profile Score)
- Logo uploaded
- Cover image (1024 x 576px)
- 10+ photos (exterior, interior, team, products)
- Videos (max. 30 sec.)
- 360° tour (Google Street View)
Ongoing (100% Profile Score)
- Weekly posts
- Respond to reviews (all of them!)
- Maintain Q&A
- Updates when changes occur
- Seasonal adjustments
NAP Consistency - The Underrated Ranking Factor
NAP = Name, Address, Phone. This information must be IDENTICAL everywhere!
Common mistakes:
- Abbreviations (St. vs. Street)
- Missing apartment/suite numbers
- Different phone formats
- HTTP vs. HTTPS
Solution: Create master document, audit all platforms, correct uniformly, check monthly.
Austrian Business Directories
The most important directories for Austrian businesses:
Priority 1 (Essential):
- Herold.at (DA 68)
- WKO Firmen A-Z (DA 72)
- Gelbe Seiten AT (DA 52)
- Yelp.at (DA 94)
Priority 2 (Important):
- 11880.at (DA 45)
- FIRMENABC.at (DA 48)
- Branchenbuch.at (DA 42)
- Meinbezirk.at (DA 64)
Tip: Create 2-3 entries per week, not all at once (natural buildup).
Using Local Keywords Correctly
Keyword structure using "Web Design Vienna" as example:
- Districts: 1st District, 1010 Vienna, Inner City, Center
- Longtail: Cost, Freelancer, for SMBs, affordable, professional
- Related: Agency, Studio, Company, Experts, Provider
Usage:
- Title Tag: "Web Design Vienna | [Brand]"
- H1: "Web Design Agency in Vienna"
- Content: naturally distributed
- Alt-Tags: web-design-agency-vienna.jpg
Reviews - The Social Proof Factor
Review Management Strategy:
- Identify happy customers
- Request review (24-48h after purchase): Email with link, QR code on-site, SMS (with consent)
- Receive review (Goal: 4.8⭐ average)
- Respond (ALWAYS!): Positive = Thank you, Negative = Solution, within 24h
- Ranking improves → more visibility → more customers → more reviews
Goals: 20+ reviews, 4.5+ stars, <24h response time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long until Local SEO shows results?
First improvements after 4-8 weeks. For top 3 positions in the Local Pack, plan 3-6 months, depending on competition in your industry and region.
Do I need a local phone number?
Yes, absolutely! A Vienna number (+43 1...) signals local presence. Mobile numbers are acceptable, but landlines are perceived as more professional.
How many reviews do I need?
Minimum: 10-20 for credibility. Ideal: More than your top 3 competitors. More important than quantity is recency - new reviews every month.
Can I rank in multiple cities?
Only with physical presence (office/branch) in each city. Fake addresses are penalized by Google. For service areas without an office, use "Service Area Business" in your profile.
What does professional Local SEO cost?
For Austrian SMBs: €500-€1,500/month ongoing, or €2,000-€5,000 as one-time setup with training. At GoldenWing, we offer both.
Conclusion: Local SEO is Essential
The combination of complete profile, positive reviews, and NAP consistency accounts for 70% of local ranking. Invest time in these fundamentals - it pays off.
Need support with your local visibility? We help you reach the top in your region.
