What is Local SEO? It is a relatively new term to most people, but Local search engine optimization is a part of Search Engine Optimization and the local area is very large and diverse. Local search engine optimization is just like SEO everywhere else in that it’s a method affecting the visible ranking of a site or a webpage in the results of an unsponsored search conducted by a search engine using the keywords of the local area. For example, if your site were listed in Google’s local search results, then you are considered a Local SEO candidate. It may be your local pizza shop or mechanic but chances are it will be something related to the location.
SEO Local Search Engine Optimization is usually performed by local web designers who specialize in Internet marketing. They create a number of sites for businesses within their own service area and submit content to directories targeting those businesses. The sites are optimized for keywords that are relevant to the service industry. These services are usually offered at a reasonable price, especially considering the amount of effort that goes into selecting relevant keywords. Many companies are paying upwards of $30 per keyword in order to have their pages listed in Google’s organic search results, but the results don’t always show up right away.
SEO Local SEO is not new, but some are now starting to look at it differently. Some business owners are starting to see the benefits of Local search engine optimization for their online businesses and they are willing to spend more money on it. Others still don’t see the benefit of optimizing for local business and feel that the benefits are not worth the effort. No matter what your opinion is, there’s no denying that there are many benefits of Local SEO. Let’s look at a few examples below.
Clients are more likely to find your business if they search for it locally rather than searching for it using a general search term. People will also be searching for your type of business or company in your local area so it makes sense to be listed near your target market. Even if your business isn’t located in your customers’ area, they may find it by typing in your name into Google. It may take them a while to find you because your competition may be several pages ahead of you in the result rankings. Once they do find you though, they are often much more likely to make a purchase decision after looking at your listing.
Getting back to Google’s organic search results, the process of optimization for Local business is much more difficult than with other types of listings. In general, the results appear near the top of the list based on a page rank formula. Google will want to see that your listing is relevant to the keywords that were used to create the page rank formula. Because your competitors may have already been ranking for the same keywords, it may be difficult for your page to rank for something new or untapped. The more internal linking you can do between your pages for SEO local, the better off your company will be.
For example, if you own a business that sells office products, you want to optimize your listing for the phrase “meeting supplies.” This is highly specific and targeted because it’s right there in the title of the page. However, this phrase is not a well-known search term that anyone would stumble upon while looking for the company’s address. Instead, someone else may use a search term that means exactly what you’re offering instead. However, if your SEO local site is linked from another site with a high page rank, it will appear higher in the list of results.
If you own a business that sells real estate, think about the type of listing you create. You may have a general website that lists local properties for sale. You also may want to consider a more specialized real estate website that gives information about homes and other real estate for sale. More businesses are realizing the benefits of having both a general site and a real estate site linked from their local business. By creating links from these two sites, the businesses have increased the chances of being seen by a client.
While there are dozens of SEO companies that provide SEO services for local business, only a select few provide topnotch service with links. A truly professional SEO company will have the resources to help your business get noticed by the largest number of potential customers. If your SEO local SEO campaign is working to increase your visibility, don’t wait any longer. Make sure your listings are as competitive as they can be today!