A Guide to Local SEO Optimization
Local SEO is an important element of Search Engine Optimization which focuses on the local problems and businesses unique to a local area. While this generally includes local reputation management concerns, certain key local search engine marketing work is going to be more directly related to local placements. In the past, many small business owners believed they could effectively conduct Internet marketing without investing significant time and money in local SEO. Today, many smaller businesses realize that local SEO is critical to their future success. As a result, local SEO companies are cropping up every day with a proven track record in delivering results.
There are two basic types of local seo strategies: traditional SEO and digital marketing. Traditional SEO is the more common strategy and involves building in-bound links from relevant websites and social media pages. Digital marketing is comprised of several elements including website design and development, advertising, and Pay Per Click (PPC) campaigns. Both methods share some common points, but have differences as well.
The most significant difference between traditional and digital marketing for local search engine optimization purposes is the focus on a targeted audience. Traditional SEO works to attract visitors based on several factors including the popularity of a website and keywords used in the content. Because online marketing typically targets visitors based on their location or browsing habits, this focus can prove to be more effective. Instead of concentrating on a broad audience, local SEO companies work to target visitors who are more likely to convert into customers.
While traditional search engine strategies have always focused on the number of times a keyword appears on a page, local SEO works to get the most search engine attention for specific words or phrases. For example, a business might want to improve its Google rankings for the phrase “craftsman knives.” A hack for this particular keyword would be to place the keyword in a map. Google could then recognize the business’s location when it searched the phrase “craftsman knives” in the search engine and feature it as a high ranking site.
Online marketers may also take advantage of hacks by using the same search phrases, but place the keywords in a different way. For instance, instead of relying solely on the number of links pointing at the site, they may use the singular word “woods.” This hack is more complex and requires an extra step when submitting an article. However, it will appear less repetitive and therefore more prominently in search results.
Because online marketing is mostly focused on attracting customers, it makes perfect sense that local SEO should incorporate the personalization of search engine searches. A person who looks up “craftsman knives” in Google may not even search for “woods.” Businesses should tailor their online marketing strategies to the local market to ensure that their products and services are better understood by potential customers. A search engine friendly website is one way that businesses gain a greater sense of community.
Another way that businesses gain a sense of community through local search engines is by making sure that they provide their local customers with plenty of contact information. Businesses should include phone numbers and email addresses in the website. In addition, they should also provide their physical address and street name. These are only a few basic tips that are helpful for getting potential customers interested in a business, but many people can’t remember them.
Local SEO optimization is also helpful because it increases the chances that people looking up information about a product or service will actually end up purchasing it. Online searches are conducted by real people and they typically use common keywords and phrases. Because of this, online users are much more likely to find what they’re looking for. People are also more likely to remember a website’s URL, whether it has a long or short URL. Local SEO optimization is therefore essential for any business that wants to succeed in today’s competitive world. Many people looking for a service will go to one of these websites in order to search for what they need.