If you own a franchise, one of the most important things you can do is make sure people in your area can find you online. You don’t need to be a tech expert — you just need to show up when someone searches for what you offer.
Here’s how to make that happen 👇
1. Set Up and Improve Your Google Business Profile
This is what shows up when people search for your store on Google — it’s your digital storefront. If it’s missing or incomplete, potential customers may choose someone else.
What to do:
Claim your profile at Google Business Profile
Make sure your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are correct
Add photos of your location, team, and products
Pick the right categories (e.g., pizza restaurant, hair salon, gym)
Ask happy customers to leave reviews — and always reply to them
2. Be Consistent Everywhere
Google wants to trust your store info. If your name, address, or phone number is different on Yelp, Facebook, or local websites, it can hurt your chances of showing up in search results.
What to do:
Make sure your NAP is the same across all sites
List your franchise on local directories (Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc.)
Use a tool like Moz Local or BrightLocal to find and fix inconsistencies
3. Get More Reviews (and Respond to Them)
Reviews help you rank higher and build trust with customers.
Tips to get more:
Ask for reviews when customers are happy
Send a direct link by email or text
Respond to all reviews (even the bad ones) in a friendly, professional way
4. Show Up for “Near Me” Searches
People search using phrases like “best gym near me” or “ice cream in [city]”. You want to be in those results.
How to show up:
Use city/location keywords on your site (e.g., “affordable haircuts in Dallas”)
Write blog posts or updates about your local community
Add your city and region to your page titles and descriptions
Read more about How to Rank for Local SEO “Near Me” Searches (10 Strategies)
5. Improve Your Website
A clean, fast, and mobile-friendly site helps Google (and customers) trust you.
Your site should have:
A contact page with name, address, and phone number
Fast load times (check using Google PageSpeed)
A design that looks great on mobile
A location-specific page for each of your franchise locations
6. Use Social Media to Stay Active in Your Community
Social platforms can help more local people discover and connect with you.
Tips:
Tag your location in posts and stories
Post about community events, promos, and local partnerships
Reply quickly to comments and messages
7. Run Local Ads for Fast Results
Want quick visibility? Local Google and Facebook ads can put your local store in front of the right people.
Best practices:
Use geo-targeting to reach people nearby
Highlight local promotions or events
Use a strong call-to-action like “Visit us today in [City]”
What Is All of This Called?
This is often referred to as “Local SEO” — but what it really means is showing up when someone in your area searches for what you offer.
