How to Do Programmatic SEO in WordPress

Programmatic SEO (pSEO) lets you automate the creation of location-specific, service-oriented pages in bulk. This is perfect for businesses aiming to expand locally or target multiple markets. By combining data templates with WordPress tools, you can generate hundreds of optimized pages in minutes.

Key Takeaways:

• What is Programmatic SEO? Automating SEO-friendly page creation using templates and data (e.g., cities, ZIP codes, services).
• Benefits: Reach unlimited locations, save time, and grow traffic efficiently.
• Tools You’ll Need: WordPress, a location database (spreadsheets), and plugins like LPagery.
• Steps to Implement:
• Build a location database with details like city names, ZIP codes, and services.
• Create dynamic templates with placeholders (e.g., {city}, {service}).
• Automate page generation and optimize SEO elements like titles, URLs, and schema.
• Schedule publishing to maintain natural growth.

Real Results:

• KrispCall grew from 154 to 2M visitors/month by using pSEO for 535 pages.
• Green Valley Realty increased organic traffic by 150% with 500 neighborhood pages.

If you’re ready to scale your local presence, programmatic SEO is your answer. Let’s dive into how it works!

Setup Requirements

Get your data organized and build templates to streamline bulk page creation for programmatic SEO.

Creating Your Location Database

A strong location database is the backbone of successful programmatic SEO. Start by creating a spreadsheet that includes the following data to populate your pages:

“Create pages for every city, service, or product you offer – automatically from a simple spreadsheet and a template page.” – LPagery

Building Page Templates

Set up page templates that include dynamic placeholders for location-specific details. Here’s what to include:

• Header Section: Use placeholders like {city} and {state} for titles.
• Main Content: Add variables such as {service_area} and {business_description} to personalize content.
• Contact Block: Include placeholders for {phone}, {email}, and {address}.
• Footer: Add markers for {business_hours} and {service_radius} to display relevant details.

Setting Up SEO Data

Optimize your SEO setup to ensure each page ranks well in local searches. Use a structured format like this:

Once your database, templates, and SEO elements are ready, you can automate these processes within WordPress for efficient page generation.

WordPress SEO Automation Steps

Once your data and templates are ready, it’s time to automate the creation of location-specific pages in WordPress. This method simplifies the process while ensuring you stick to SEO best practices.

Bulk Page Generation with LPagery

The automation process relies on three key components:

For example, Green Valley Realty successfully generated 500 neighborhood pages in Q1 2024, which led to a 150% increase in organic traffic and an 80% boost in local leads.

After generating pages in bulk, refine each one by incorporating dynamic data for a more personalized touch.

Setting Up Dynamic Content

Dynamic content ensures that every page is distinct and relevant. This can be achieved by configuring the following:

• Location-Specific Details: Include local market data and tailor service offerings for each area.
• Business Information: Add location-specific contact numbers, addresses, or office details.
• Service Descriptions: Adjust descriptions to reflect the needs and preferences of each local market.

Page Publishing Schedule

Once your pages are generated and populated with dynamic content, it’s essential to schedule their publication strategically. This approach mimics natural growth and avoids overwhelming search engines.

• Initial Launch: Begin by releasing pages for your primary service areas gradually.
• Ongoing Updates: Maintain a publishing calendar to align with your business’s growth plan. Here’s a suggested schedule:

• Content Management: Use WordPress’s scheduling tools to automate publication, ensuring a steady stream of fresh, optimized pages.

Local SEO Page Optimization

Optimizing location pages for local search is crucial since 46% of Google searches have local intent. A key part of this process involves structuring your data to make it clear and understandable for search engines.

Location Schema Setup

Structured data helps search engines understand the details of each location page. To set up your local business schema, include the following properties:

If your business operates in multiple locations, each location page should have its own LocalBusiness schema. Link these pages to the main organization using the branchOf property.

“Schema markup has certain benefits for businesses seeking to optimize their SEO… schema has the ability to give those efforts a big boost by taking advantage of more prominently featured rich results.” – Ray Day, SEO Strategist, Ignite Visibility

Internal Link Structure

Once your schema is in place, focus on building a logical internal linking structure. This strengthens navigation and improves local relevance.

• Parent Pages: Group related location pages under service-based parent pages. For instance: <code>/services/ └── /plumbing/ └── /plumbing-atlanta-ga/ └── /plumbing-marietta-ga/ </code>
• Cross-Linking Locations: Link each location page to:
• Related services within the same area
• The same service in nearby locations
• The main service category page

This approach not only organizes your content but also improves user experience and search engine visibility.

Speed and Mobile Settings

Mobile optimization is non-negotiable for local SEO. Implement these technical improvements to enhance performance:

Apply these optimizations consistently across your templates. Use tools like Google Search Console to monitor Core Web Vitals and ensure your pages meet local SEO performance standards. These steps will help your location pages stand out in local search results.

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Results Tracking

To gauge the success of programmatic SEO, it’s crucial to focus on specific performance indicators.

Search Ranking Reports

Tracking local search rankings provides a clear picture of your visibility and progress. For instance, Stratedia managed to increase their annual revenue by $50,000 by leveraging local rank tracking tools.

“I use BrightLocal’s Local Rank Tracker on a daily basis for all of my local clients… the ability to dig down into specific towns and cities means you get accurate search volumes, accurate ranking data, and can give clients a much better idea of how visible they are in their local area.”

Once rankings are tracked, the next step is to determine how effectively they translate into leads.

Lead Generation Metrics

The true measure of programmatic SEO lies in its ability to generate qualified leads. Tools like AIOSEO’s Keyword Rank Tracker, introduced in version 4.7.0, allow you to monitor keyword performance directly within WordPress.

Here are the key metrics to track for conversions:

Keeping an eye on these metrics ensures you’re not just ranking but also driving meaningful actions.

Page Performance Updates

Regular audits of page performance are essential. Tools like the Ahrefs SEO plugin can automate audits and provide actionable insights to help you stay ahead.

Improve page performance by focusing on:

• Core metrics like page load times, mobile responsiveness, and user engagement.
• Regular content audits to identify areas for improvement.
• Implementing optimizations suggested by tools like Google Lighthouse.
• Adjusting high-performing templates to further enhance results.

Conclusion

Main Points Review

Programmatic SEO on WordPress has proven to be a game-changer for local business growth. For instance, AnyVan saw an impressive 1.4 million additional impressions in just 90 days, while AppWT LLC experienced a 35% rise in local leads and doubled their organic traffic.

Here’s a breakdown of the core implementation phases and their impact:

Getting Started Guide

Ready to dive into programmatic SEO? Here’s how to get started:

• Design your template pages: Use your favorite WordPress theme or page builder and include dynamic placeholders for location-specific details.
• Build your location database: Create a comprehensive spreadsheet covering all your service areas.
• Generate and optimize pages: Leverage automation tools to create bulk pages, but ensure quality control for each location.

The key to success is crafting content that resonates with each specific locale. As Jeremy Tang, CEO of Area Ten, puts it: “Programmatic SEO allows for high-impact local keyword targeting, making your business omnipresent in the local search landscape”.

Finally, don’t forget to continuously monitor and refine your strategy. Macarthur Wealth Management’s success – doubling their Google impressions in just two months – proves how impactful a well-executed programmatic SEO approach can be.

FAQs

How can I create high-quality, relevant content for programmatically generated pages in WordPress?

To create high-quality, relevant programmatically generated pages, start by organizing your data into a well-structured CSV file. This file should include all the dynamic content elements you want to feature, such as location-specific details, service descriptions, or any other variable information. Once your data is ready, design a template page in WordPress with placeholders that can dynamically pull in this information. Tools like LPagery make it easy to automate the generation of multiple optimized pages while keeping everything consistent and relevant.

To truly connect with your audience, include localized details in your content – think city names, zip codes, or specific services available in each area. This not only provides a better user experience but also boosts your SEO by improving your site’s visibility for local searches.

How can I set up a location database in WordPress to improve programmatic SEO?

How to Set Up a Location Database for Programmatic SEO in WordPress

If you’re looking to improve programmatic SEO for local businesses on WordPress, creating a location database is a crucial first step. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Organize Your Data: Start by putting together a CSV file that includes all the essential details – columns for city, state, and the services offered. This will serve as the backbone for your location-specific pages.
2. Build a Template Page: Use a WordPress page builder or theme to design a template page. Incorporate placeholders like {city} and {service} into the template. These placeholders allow dynamic content to populate each page based on your data.
3. Automate Page Creation: Upload your CSV file to a tool like LPagery. This tool will take your template and data, automatically generating SEO-friendly landing pages for each location.

Following this process, you can efficiently target multiple areas while sticking to SEO best practices. It’s a streamlined way to expand your reach without sacrificing quality or optimization.

How does programmatic SEO help improve local search rankings compared to traditional SEO?

Programmatic SEO helps boost local search rankings by allowing businesses to quickly and efficiently create customized landing pages for each location or service they provide. These pages are fine-tuned with location-specific keywords, making it easier for businesses to show up in local search results.

This method works particularly well for service-oriented and local businesses. It enables them to generate content at scale while addressing the specific needs of different areas. By automating repetitive SEO tasks, programmatic SEO not only saves time but also ensures that all pages remain consistently optimized. The result? Increased local traffic and a higher chance of attracting new customers.

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About the Author

Jonas Lindemann

I’m an experienced SEO professional with over a decade of helping over 100 businesses rank higher online, especially local businesses, e-commerce stores and SaaS. As the co-founder of LPagery, I specialize in practical, proven strategies for regular SEO and Local SEO success.