Local search engine optimization (SEO) and internet marketing go hand in hand for many businesses that wish to achieve a higher search ranking on the major search engines such as Yahoo!, Google, MSN, AOL and so forth. Local search optimization, in essence, is like SEO in that it’s also a method affecting the visibility of a website on the unpaid results of a search engine called the “organic” or “unpaid” listings. Organic listings are what most of us think of when we hear the words “local search.” However, there are a few key differences between organic listings and search marketing Local SEO. Let’s explore these key differences and identify which of the two are most applicable to your business.
For those of us who are not tech savvy, understanding how local search works is relatively easy. Basically, keywords or keyword phrases are used within the meta descriptions, title tags, or headings of a webpage. Meta descriptions, or simply description texts, are important because they provide search engines with valuable information about your website. So you want your website to have good and relevant meta descriptions and title tags and to optimize your web pages, you will want to optimize your local search SEO strategy.
The key to optimizing your local search marketing strategy lies in the keywords you choose, your meta description texts, and the local SEO activities you engage in. There are many ways to optimize your web pages for these keywords. Some of these include writing keyword rich content and submitting them to directories, using SEO friendly titles and meta descriptions, and using local search marketing tactics. A great many local search engine optimization experts consider the use of web 2.0 strategies, which includes the use of blogs and RSS feeds. Social media and internet marketing are also key to local SEO. All of these tactics are part of local SEO strategies.
Local SEO is the process by which local businesses seek higher rankings in the search results. This is achieved by search engines through local listings in search results pages. Local businesses need to take advantage of their own websites as well as those of their local customers. For example, if you own a pizza shop in the city of Chicago, your website will be included in search results but your location will not be listed. However, if you have a website that provides quality Chicago based pizza, then you will be included in search results because your customers will have typed in “Chicago pizza” into the search box.
Creating a website for local SEO can be quite daunting at first. Fortunately, there are many local SEO solutions available online today. Many of these local SEO solutions are available in software that can be hosted on a web page for which you pay a monthly fee. These programs are excellent at helping you create a website that is fully optimized for your specific market niche and includes various local search features such as local listings in search engines. Many of these programs also offer free website promotion services.
There are some local SEO solutions that specialize in paid placements. PPC or pay-per-click advertising is a great tool for increasing local business traffic. Pay per click advertisements are placed on the search results pages when searchers search keywords related to your local business. These advertisements are most often displayed to targeted local customers who have previously searched for your company’s name using a search engine.
The content on your website will play an important role in your local SEO efforts. Using the correct keywords will help you get more exposure. Keywords should be relevant to the product or service that you are offering. It is also necessary to use the appropriate meta tags and keywords so that your website page title will be found easily by search engines. Another great tip for local SEO is to add your company address to all of your webpages. This will help to increase your company’s credibility with potential customers.
Local SEO can also include posting links to your website on your personal Facebook page, your company blog, and multiple locations on your company website. These local SEO options will not only allow your customers to find you when they search for your company name, but will also increase your chances of being ranked highly in the search engines. A link to your website from a social media page such as your Facebook business page will also help with creating a presence within the social media community. In fact, most major search engines have a social media section which allows companies to place links back to their websites.