Are you trying to make your business the first choice when people in your county search for your services? You’re not alone—every local business owner wants to show up in Google when customers are actively looking.
At New Era Digital, we specialise in helping Irish small businesses win at Local SEO in Ireland. In this guide, you’ll learn practical, step-by-step strategies to dominate local search—covering keywords, Google Business Profile optimisation, citations, reviews, backlinks, and tracking performance.
👉 Want the full, printable checklist? Grab your free SEO Checklist for Small Businesses 2025.
What Is Local SEO and Why Does County Targeting Matter?
Local SEO is about optimising your online presence so your business shows up in location-based searches. Think about queries like “best plumber in Wexford” or “Italian restaurant near me in Kilkenny”.
Why county targeting matters in Ireland:
- People often search using county names (especially outside Dublin).
- County-level searches have high intent but less competition than national keywords.
- You can create more efficient, locally targeted campaigns.
By focusing on your county—whether it’s Dublin, Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny, or Wexford—you’re competing in a smaller but highly relevant arena.
How to Find the Right County-Specific Keywords
If you want to rank in local searches, you need to know exactly how your customers search.
Steps to find the right keywords:
- Use Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs.
- Search for “service + county” phrases like “accountant in Dublin” or “dog groomer Wicklow”.
- Look for long-tail variations: “affordable accountant in Carlow”, “24-hour vet Wexford”.
- Add local landmarks for context: “café near St. Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin”.
- Check Google Autocomplete and “People Also Ask” for related searches.
👉 For done-for-you research, see our Keyword Research Services.
How to Optimise Your Google Business Profile (GBP)
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is your most valuable Local SEO tool. It influences whether you appear in the local map pack—those top three results you often see on Google.
Tips for optimisation:
- Add your exact business name, address, and phone number (NAP).
- Set your service area (e.g., “Wexford and surrounding areas”).
- Use county keywords in your business description.
- Choose the right business category.
- Add photos of your business, team, and local events.
- Post weekly updates with offers, news, or events.
👉 Need help? Our Local SEO Services make GBP optimisation simple
On-Page SEO for Local Rankings
Your website is your digital shopfront. To show Google your local relevance:
- Include your county name in titles, meta descriptions, and H1s.
- Create dedicated landing pages for each county you serve.
- Write blogs like “5 Tips for First-Time Homeowners in Kilkenny”.
- Add internal links (e.g., to our SEO Starter Package).
When your website signals local relevance clearly, Google is more likely to rank you in county searches.
Why Local Citations Matter
Citations = mentions of your business details (NAP) on other websites. They help search engines verify that your business is legitimate.
Where to list your business:
- Golden Pages
- Local Chamber of Commerce websites
- Irish news sites (e.g., Independent.ie, Wexford People)
- Review platforms like Yelp.ie or TripAdvisor
Pro tip: Keep your details consistent across all listings.
How Reviews Influence Local SEO
Reviews don’t just build trust—they directly affect rankings.
Why reviews matter:
- Google considers them a ranking factor.
- Customers trust businesses with recent positive reviews.
- County mentions in reviews (e.g., “Best café in Wicklow”) boost local relevance.
How to get more reviews:
- Ask customers immediately after a purchase/service.
- Share your GBP review link.
- Encourage reviews with county mentions where possible.
Building Local Backlinks
Backlinks = other websites linking to you. Local backlinks carry extra authority.
Ways to get them:
- Sponsor a local sports team in Wexford or Kilkenny.
- Partner with local bloggers or influencers.
- Get coverage in Irish news outlets.
- Collaborate with local charities or events.
Every backlink tells Google: “This business matters in this county.”
How to Track Your Local SEO Performance
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Use:
- Google Analytics 4 – to track local traffic.
- Google Search Console – to monitor county-specific keyword rankings.
- GBP Insights – to see impressions, clicks, and actions.
- Rank tracking tools – to monitor keyword positions in counties.
Track metrics like:
- Organic traffic from local searches.
- Local map pack impressions.
- Conversions from county visitors.
👉 Our SEO Audits can uncover where you’re winning—and where you’re missing out.
Conclusion: Local SEO in Ireland is Your Growth Engine
By focusing on local keywords, GBP optimisation, on-page SEO, citations, reviews, backlinks, and tracking, your business can dominate search results in Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, Carlow, and Kilkenny.
At New Era Digital, we’ve helped Irish small businesses get found by the right customers in the right places. Now it’s your turn.
👉 Start today: Download your free SEO checklist or book a call with us.
FAQs
1. What’s the difference between Local SEO and general SEO?
Local SEO targets specific geographic areas; general SEO focuses on broader visibility.
2. How long does Local SEO take to work?
Initial improvements can appear within weeks, but lasting results usually take 3–6 months.
3. Do reviews really help with Local SEO?
Yes—especially when they’re recent, positive, and mention your county.
4. Can I rank in more than one county?
Yes—by creating unique location pages and optimising your GBP accordingly.
5. What’s the Google local map pack?
It’s the 3 local businesses Google highlights for a location-based search. Appearing there = more calls and clicks.
6. How important is NAP consistency?
Very. If your Name, Address, and Phone differ across sites, Google may treat them as separate businesses.
7. Do I need separate pages for each county I target?
Yes. Each page should have unique content, county-specific keywords, and local information.
Further Reading on Local SEO
If you found this guide useful, you might also like:
- How to Use Google My Business to Increase Local Visibility
- How to Get More Reviews and Boost Your Online Reputation
- How to Boost Your Local SEO: A Complete Guide fro Small Businesses
👉 Don’t forget to download your free SEO checklist to make sure your business is fully optimised for 2025.
