In recent years, local business have been making use of the internet to find additional customers using local search marketing. Below, I will discuss ten solid tips to ensure any local business has the opportunity to outrank their competitors.
Investigate Local Directories
Local search optimization, like any solid search engine optimization strategy plan, requires a bit of research. Search your own business online. It's essential to find out how your business is listed on local directories, so doing this search is the best way to start. When searching, don't limit your queries to just your business name though; enter in your phone number and address in different ways to see how they come up. As you uncover each listing, record the link and any details about the listing in a spreadsheet.
Third party data providers and local directories inform the search engines. The major search engines use this external data to confirm whether your business' information matches what's in their own index. Local directory data must be constantly updated to be sure that everything is always right and easily accessible. In addition to third party data, search engines use the citations in their index as a ranking factor. The NAP (name, address, and phone number) of businesses are what citations refer to, and how often these are mentioned online.
Google Places
A Google Places listing is important, be sure to make one. Make sure you include as much information as possible. Be certain that the data on your company is accurate, including selecting the proper categories, your contact info, hours of operation and of course add a company description. A crucial element in this process are categories; as many categories as possible must be carefully chosen that match perfectly the business that you are promoting. Be sure to select both "restaurant" and "Mexican restaurant" if your business is a Mexican restaurant. This should then be accentuated by promoting the best of your business with exquisite photography of the products, (5 minimum) and of course an amazing cover photo.
Carefully Create some Geo-specific Pages of Content
When there is more than one location, be sure to create location pages showing them all. Your company could benefit from having a page dedicated to each of the locations that your business has on your website If you want to draw traffic in front a specific region then you need to ensure that you're using keywords that are specific to your targeting market as well as the regions you operate. Landing pages are helpful, that direct customers to the part of your business you are focusing on in the region.
There is no sense advertising in all parts of the world for your walk in business in your city, so be sure to go after the local customers on your website, this will make your SERPs more effective. Narrowing down your keywords and phrases to only local results will be beneficial because your site will end up ranking higher for your area, and the pages that are not relevant will be much lower, enabling you to be more easily found by customers.
Ask Customers to Complete Reviews
A crucial part of business strategy is to get customer reviews, these make a huge difference. Customers who have had a pleasant experience with your products or services can help you immensely by leaving a review on your website, and that helps you rank higher in search engines. Make it clear that reviews are really important to you and that you are intently interested in that customer's opinion.
Investigate Local Directories
Local search optimization, like any solid search engine optimization strategy plan, requires a bit of research. Search your own business online. It's essential to find out how your business is listed on local directories, so doing this search is the best way to start. When searching, don't limit your queries to just your business name though; enter in your phone number and address in different ways to see how they come up. As you uncover each listing, record the link and any details about the listing in a spreadsheet.
Third party data providers and local directories inform the search engines. The major search engines use this external data to confirm whether your business' information matches what's in their own index. Local directory data must be constantly updated to be sure that everything is always right and easily accessible. In addition to third party data, search engines use the citations in their index as a ranking factor. The NAP (name, address, and phone number) of businesses are what citations refer to, and how often these are mentioned online.
Google Places
A Google Places listing is important, be sure to make one. Make sure you include as much information as possible. Be certain that the data on your company is accurate, including selecting the proper categories, your contact info, hours of operation and of course add a company description. A crucial element in this process are categories; as many categories as possible must be carefully chosen that match perfectly the business that you are promoting. Be sure to select both "restaurant" and "Mexican restaurant" if your business is a Mexican restaurant. This should then be accentuated by promoting the best of your business with exquisite photography of the products, (5 minimum) and of course an amazing cover photo.
Carefully Create some Geo-specific Pages of Content
When there is more than one location, be sure to create location pages showing them all. Your company could benefit from having a page dedicated to each of the locations that your business has on your website If you want to draw traffic in front a specific region then you need to ensure that you're using keywords that are specific to your targeting market as well as the regions you operate. Landing pages are helpful, that direct customers to the part of your business you are focusing on in the region.
There is no sense advertising in all parts of the world for your walk in business in your city, so be sure to go after the local customers on your website, this will make your SERPs more effective. Narrowing down your keywords and phrases to only local results will be beneficial because your site will end up ranking higher for your area, and the pages that are not relevant will be much lower, enabling you to be more easily found by customers.
Ask Customers to Complete Reviews
A crucial part of business strategy is to get customer reviews, these make a huge difference. Customers who have had a pleasant experience with your products or services can help you immensely by leaving a review on your website, and that helps you rank higher in search engines. Make it clear that reviews are really important to you and that you are intently interested in that customer's opinion.
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