SEO Local
SEO Local is a term used by search engines to describe local search engine optimization, which is one of the most effective methods for local business growth online. Local search engine optimization is like global SEO in that it’s also a method affecting the ranking of a site or a page in a search results listing, often called “natural” or “paid” results. Like global SEO, local SEO involves using keywords in a way that increases the likelihood that a site will show up when someone searches for those keywords. The way that SEO Local differs from global SEO is that it places more emphasis on quality content and marketing strategies than it does on keywords. That being said, local SEO is still important to many online businesses because it can help increase their online presence and thereby increase their potential for traffic and sales.
As with global SEO, good SEO Local requires some careful keyword research. Keywords are important for both SEO and Local SEO because they are the criteria used to determine where a site appears during searches. A company’s Web pages, for example, will show up in searches for specific products and services based on the keywords used to create them. This is why the Internet marketing firm that created a site needs to do a careful keyword analysis before simply choosing a bunch of random keywords. The keyword analysis determines whether the keywords used are appropriate and whether any competitors are using those same keywords to drive their Web pages up in rankings.
Good SEO Local content needs to be focused. What does “good” mean? It means concise, relevant content that using the right keywords and is written well so that users understand the information they read and are able to make an informed decision about the business or product represented there. Users love sites that are clear and concise, which is why search engines are especially keen on providing quality localized content.
The keyword research for SEO Local is particularly important because it allows the business owner to choose words and phrases that are specifically related to the business and its offerings. Those terms should also be chosen with care to be sure the content is not keyword stuffed (it should have its own unique space within the article) and is optimized for its local area. A business that markets its services only in its hometown is unlikely to get many new leads, at least not from the search engines. On the other hand, a website with specialized content that is geared toward users in a particular area may get more hits from online users looking for services or products located in that area, as well as from business owners looking to expand their customer base.
Because it’s local in nature, SEO Local pages should maintain a high page rank. Googlebot looks at a website’s page rank, which is determined by a combination of factors, such as the amount of links that link back to the page, the popularity of the actual website (by Google’s standards), and the quality of the actual content posted on the page. A high page rank, also called a Google juice, will result in increased traffic from users searching in the area and will help a company get closer to the top of the SERP. That can lead to increased sales, which is always a good thing.
The SEO Local page itself should also have high page rankings, but this will probably happen with less frequency. This is because most local citations only occur when the business or individual has entered into a partnership or joint venture agreements with other local businesses or websites. These relationships will boost page ranking for both sides and will likely increase traffic, as well. However, these partnerships can be short-lived, so the page rank boost will likely not last forever.
Another area to focus on for SEO Local listings is the meta description. The meta description is a brief description of the business’s specific business location, services offered, and keywords used to describe those services. Each page of the site should contain a meta description. Meta descriptions, when properly written and used, can significantly increase a site’s SEO Local rankings. There are also other areas to focus on for SEO Local listings, including the homepage, category pages, posts, and pages. All of these areas should be optimized with keyword phrases related to the local area, but the user experience should also be greatly increased by highlighting relevant information, as well as providing users with the ultimate shopping and travel experiences.
Another key strategy for SEO Local listings is creating profiles that are relevant to users in the immediate area. When users search for products or services within the immediate vicinity of the business, they will often do so using local search terms. As such, it only makes sense to target local searchers using keywords and local locations. In addition, listing multiple profiles within the site, or sending emails to them with information about each profile should also be utilized. These activities will increase the likelihood that a user will click on a listing and increase the chance that they will purchase from the business. Finally, in order to improve SEO Local rankings, it is advisable to submit the URL for each page to as many different local directories as possible.