Yoast Local SEO

Setting Up Multiple Locations in Yoast Local SEO

To manage multiple branches, go to Yoast Local SEO settings and enable the option "My business has multiple locations." This creates a custom post type called Locations where you add each branch.

You can set a primary location, typically your main office. Shared business information and opening hours can be inherited by all locations, with overrides for individual branches when needed.

Yoast's setup requires adding new entries through the Locations custom post type after enabling multiple locations. Each entry becomes a separate page with its own URL, title, and meta description.

• Enable multiple locations in plugin settings.
• Add each branch as a new entry in the Locations post type.
• Set a primary location and share business data across branches.

Creating Effective Local Landing Pages

Each branch should have its own dedicated location page rather than sending users to the homepage. These pages are often called local landing pages or city landing pages.

Include core NAP data: name, address, phone number, plus opening hours and other contact details. Yoast Local SEO uses structured business data to help search engines understand location-specific information.

Unique, location-specific content is recommended for every location page. Copying the same text and only swapping the city name is a common weak practice. Write original content that describes the area, services, or team at that branch.

• Use unique content for each location page.
• Include NAP data and local schema.
• Link to the location page from a hub page.

Common Mistakes with Yoast Local SEO

Many businesses use one generic contact page for every branch instead of separate location pages. This confuses search engines and hurts local rankings.

Duplicating the same content across all location pages and only changing the city name is another error. Google may see this as thin content and rank those pages poorly.

Forgetting to set a primary location or to enable shared business info can create inconsistent schema and NAP. This makes it harder for search engines to trust your business data.

• Using one contact page for all branches — hurts local rankings.
• Copying content across location pages — seen as thin content.
• Not setting a primary location — creates inconsistent schema.

How Yoast Local SEO Fits Into Local Search

Yoast Local SEO is one tool among many for local search seo. It helps with on-page SEO and structured data, but you still need off-page signals like citations and reviews.

For a deeper understanding of how local seo works, see the how local seo works entry. For more on creating location pages, see location pages for seo.

Yoast Local SEO is a plugin, not a complete local SEO strategy. Use it alongside other tools like brightlocal for citation management.

Comparing Yoast Local SEO to Other Tools

Yoast Local SEO focuses on on-page optimization and schema for WordPress sites. Other tools like local dominator or BrightLocal handle off-page tasks like citation building and review management.

For a broader view of SEO tools, see the SEO Tools entry. If you're deciding between local and national strategies, read about local seo vs national seo.

For rank tracking, tools like what local falcon means are useful.