There is no magic number where location pages suddenly stop working. The real issue is dilution. The wider the geographic spread on a single domain, the thinner your authority and link equity get across those pages. Tight focus produces faster results. In this post, we break down when one domain makes sense, when splitting into hyperlocal properties is smarter, and how to decide based on area size, budget, and performance goals.
Table of Contents
The simple rule: narrower focus, faster results
Two things drive local performance: the services you offer and the area you target. If we keep both narrow, the site sends stronger signals to search engines. If we make either broad, ranking still works, but it takes more time and more work.
For single-category businesses — think tree service, locksmiths, or plumbing — the topical side is already tight. That leaves geography as the main variable. The tighter the geographic focus, the more concentrated the signals, and the quicker we see movement.
“The tighter the geographic focus, the faster it performs.”
Two common ways to handle many service areas
One big site with many location pages
This is the simplest setup. We create a single domain and add location pages for each city or neighborhood. We can structure the site with silos, landing pages, and internal linking by county or city.
Pros:
- Easier to manage — one backend, one CMS, one hosting bill.
- Central brand authority — all content and links live in one place.
Cons:
- Takes longer to rank multiple areas because attention is spread across many pages.
- Needs more links, content, and on-page work to lift a broad set of pages.
Multiple hyperlocal sites (one per county or area)
For large service areas, we sometimes build a small, tight site for each county or market. The root domain acts as the brand hub. Each hyperlocal site focuses on one county or a small group of towns.
Pros:
- Faster rankings — each site targets a tight footprint and gains local signals faster.
- Cleaner optimization — content and links are focused, which improves local relevance.
Cons:
- More websites to manage and maintain.
- Requires a plan for cross-site branding and link strategy.
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How we pick between the two
We look at three things: area size, budget, and how the business is organized.
- If the business covers a few nearby towns and you have limited resources, one site is fine. Expect the process to take longer.
- If the business covers multiple counties and has a decent marketing budget, consider separate hyperlocal sites. Each site should be tight in scope.
- If the business is single-category (like tree service), splitting by geography is easier because you do not have to juggle many different service types across sites.
How to structure multiple sites
A common setup is a root domain as a brand home and subdomains or subfolders for each county. For example:
- brand.com — company info, main contact, service overview
- county.brand.com — focused site for County A
- county2.brand.com — focused site for County B
We use subdomains often because each subdomain can act like a local micro-site. Each one can target its own keywords, collect links, and host locally relevant content without competing with other areas on the same domain.
What you need to succeed, no matter the approach
Whether you use one site or many, the basics stay the same. Focus your resources where they matter.
- Local links — strong local backlinks help both single-site and multi-site strategies.
- Consistent NAP — name, address, phone must match across listings and pages.
- Local content — customer stories, project pages, or news that mention towns and landmarks.
- Google Business Profile — optimize and keep profiles consistent for each location.
- Reviews — local reviews tied to the right location boost trust and relevance.
How long will it take?
We cannot promise exact timelines. In general, hyperlocal sites tend to show gains faster because signals are not diluted. Large, multi-location sites still rank, but they usually need more time and more work. Think of it this way: spreading your effort across many locations spreads your results.
When to keep everything on one domain
Keep a single site if:
- You do not cover a huge geographic area.
- You have limited budget for multiple sites.
- You prefer simpler technical management.
When to split into multiple sites
Split into multiple hyperlocal sites if:
- Your service area spans many counties or several hours of driving.
- You can manage multiple sites or have an agency partner who can.
- You want faster, more predictable local rankings.
Practical checklist before you add location pages
- Decide whether to target all locations from one domain or split by area.
- Map keywords by location and service so pages do not cannibalize each other.
- Set up consistent NAP and Google Business Profiles for each location.
- Plan a link and review strategy for each location or site.
- Measure results and be ready to adjust. If one approach underperforms, change course.
FAQ
Is there a maximum number of location pages we should add?
No. There is no hard cap. The issue is performance. The more locations you add to one domain, the more you spread your SEO effort. It still works, but it takes longer and needs more resources.
Will multiple sites hurt my brand?
Not if you plan it. Use the root domain as the brand hub and keep local sites tied to the main brand. Make sure branding, contact info, and messaging stay consistent across sites.
What is better for a tree service that covers several counties?
For tree service, topical focus is easy because it is a single category. If the business covers many counties, separate hyperlocal sites usually perform faster. Each county site can target local searches and collect local signals without dilution.
Can we use subfolders instead of subdomains?
Yes. Subfolders can work well. The choice between subdomain and subfolder often depends on how you want to manage hosting and tracking. Both are valid if set up correctly.
How do we speed up rankings for many locations?
Concentrate links and content on the locations you care most about first. Optimize Google Business Profiles, gather reviews, and build local links. Focus beats spreading effort thin.