Why Local SEO is Different in Utah County
Utah County is one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. With tech companies flooding into Silicon Slopes and families moving to cities like Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs, competition for local search visibility has never been fiercer.
But here's the opportunity: most Utah County small businesses are doing SEO wrong—or not at all. This guide will show you exactly how to outrank them.
The Foundation: Google Business Profile
If you do nothing else for SEO, do this: claim and optimize your Google Business Profile. It's free, and it's the single most important factor for local search rankings.
How to Optimize Your Profile
- Complete every section - Google rewards completeness. Fill out your hours, services, attributes, and description.
- Choose the right categories - Pick your primary category carefully. If you're a pizza restaurant, "Pizza Restaurant" is better than just "Restaurant."
- Add photos weekly - Businesses with recent photos get 42% more direction requests. Take photos of your work, your team, your location.
- Get reviews (and respond to all of them) - Ask every happy customer for a review. Respond to every review, positive or negative, within 24 hours.
- Post updates regularly - Google Business has a posts feature. Use it to share offers, events, and updates.
Local Keywords: Think Like Your Customers
Stop trying to rank for "plumber" or "restaurant." You'll never outrank national directories. Instead, focus on local keywords:
High-Intent Local Keywords for Utah County
- "[Service] in [City]" (plumber in Lehi)
- "[Service] near [Landmark]" (dentist near BYU)
- "[City] [Service] reviews" (Orem auto repair reviews)
- "Best [Service] in [City]" (best pizza in Provo)
City-Specific Pages
If you serve multiple Utah County cities, create a page for each one. Don't just swap out city names—write unique content about serving each community.
Technical SEO Basics
Speed Matters
Utah County residents won't wait for slow websites. Test your speed at PageSpeed Insights and aim for:
- Mobile score above 80
- Load time under 3 seconds
Mobile Optimization
I've written extensively about why mobile-first matters for Utah businesses. In short: Google uses mobile-first indexing, so your mobile site IS your site.
Schema Markup
Add LocalBusiness schema to your website. This helps Google understand:
- Your business name, address, phone (NAP)
- Your hours of operation
- Your service area
- Your reviews and ratings
Content That Ranks in Utah County
Write About Local Topics
- "Best [X] in [Utah County City]" lists
- Local event coverage
- Neighborhood guides
- "How to" guides specific to Utah (e.g., "How to Winterize Your Sprinklers in Utah County")
Answer Local Questions
What do Utah County residents ask about your industry? Answer those questions on your blog:
- "Do I need a permit for [X] in Provo?"
- "How much does [X] cost in Utah County?"
- "When should Utah homeowners [X]?"
Link Building for Utah County Businesses
Local Directories
Get listed in:
- Utah.com business directory
- Local Chamber of Commerce (Utah Valley Chamber, etc.)
- City-specific business directories
- Industry-specific Utah directories
Local Partnerships
Partner with other local businesses for mutual links:
- Sponsor local sports teams or events
- Guest post on local blogs
- Get featured in local news (Daily Herald, Deseret News)
Measuring Success
Track these metrics monthly:
- Google Business Profile views and actions
- Organic traffic from Utah County cities
- Rankings for target local keywords
- Phone calls and form submissions from organic search
Your Next Steps
- Audit your Google Business Profile - Is it complete? When was it last updated?
- Check your website speed - Use PageSpeed Insights
- Identify 10 local keywords - What do your Utah County customers search for?
- Create one piece of local content - Start with a city-specific page
Need help with your Utah County SEO strategy? Schedule a free consultation and I'll audit your current online presence.