Local Search Optimization

Local Search Optimization
SEO for Local Search Results

Search engines are changing becoming more local. SEO gets you high in the organic search results, but now with search engines factoring in your geography, optimizing for local search places you in front of people in your community.

How to Advertise on the Internet

As the Internet evolves and web users become more sophisticated, people are turning more and more to the Internet to find local services and products. This is true for businesses that sell directly online, and for those that use the Internet to promote their brick-and-mortar business.

The problem for a locally based business is the pure size of the Internet. A locally based website often gets buried deep in search engines, if they are even there at all. Larger national and international sites dominate the best broad search terms. Localized search marketing requires a different approach.

Why is Local Search necessary?

Within the last couple of years the search engines have been providing improved "local search" features. Google in particular has been embedding these "Maps" inside their search pages as part of their Universal Search results. This has opened new opportunities for local businesses and requires different techniques, from organic SEO, to get exposure there.

How does it works?

Local Search Optimization doesn’t work exactly like other Organic SEO. Google uses a different process for choosing who gets listed here and how local businesses are ranked in maps listings

Search for: “Dentist” or “Pizza” or “Landscaper” or “Lawyer”

Google uses IP Targeting to determine your actual location and will return search results that are relative your location. If you are searching in New York for “Pizza”, then you won’t see results for Los Angeles pizza shops.

Just as in the organic listings, you are competing verse other local businesses for a spot in the Local Search. By optimizing the listing and building up your web authority you increase your chance of your listing being the most prominent listing on the search results page.

More than just search engine traffic

Without you even knowing it, your business contact information is spread all over the Internet. Once you are listed in some of the major database companies, directory websites scrape this information and shows it off as their own. Problem is that this information isn’t always right. Now your information is out there and is wrong. As part of the Local Search Optimization process, systematically look for business listings you have online, correct them and make sure they are up to date.

Many of these websites have developed a community online where people share information and opinions about businesses in their area. By building up your reputation in these Local Directories, not only do you improve your Local Search Visibility, but you improve your chances of being referred by the people in your communities. Building a solid online reputation will create long lasting results for your business.

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