Local Geo-Targeted SEO
What You Need To Know About Local SEO
Many people do not realize the importance of local search engine optimization (SEO) marketing. Some believe that SEO is only for websites that are trying to attract customers from around the country or even the world, but the bottom line is that local SEO marketing is essential for a business to prosper.
Simply put, the Internet has changed the way that people look for products and services. More and more people go online to search for a local business and HTML Web browsers has made it possible for people to search for what they want while they are on the go, from their cell phones, notebooks and netbooks. Local SEO is an important element for being part of this trend.
The way consumers are searching for what they need has changed and you need to make sure that your marketing includes these changes.
The Benefits of Local Geo SEO Marketing
If a consumer begins a local business search for a product, then they are more serious about buying than when they are browsing online. When a potential customer searches for a local outlet to purchase their item, then the end result of the search is that there is a higher rate of purchases from this type of customer. You increase your chances of making a sale if your customers land on a relevant page to their search.
Take for example a person who is looking for a local contractor. When they search for their criteria, in this case it would be 'Raleigh, NC contractor,' their results yield a direct connection to your business name, address, phone number and any other relevant information. When a customer quickly finds information relevant to what they are looking for, they are more likely to make a purchase and less likely to keep searching.
Planning Strategy
Local SEM (Search Engine Marketing) and local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is not the same thing. With geo targeted seo you have to be more analytical than you are for SEM. You need to understand regional searches because you have to know what people are asking for when they make their searches. Yes, this is a painstaking task, but the results will be well worth it.
What many people do not realize is that from region to region individuals use different phrases to search for a service or product. For example, if someone is looking for a contractor in Denver, they may search for 'contractors in Denver.' However, in San Francisco the preferred phrase might be 'San Francisco contractor.' You need to be aware of this trend, especially if there is a specific region you are targeting.
When you conduct keyword research for local SEO, you may find that some areas search for services by the neighborhood that they live in like 'contractors in Williamsburg area of Cary, NC.' Even though the search differences between areas might seem minute, it may be the difference between your business being among the results and missing it altogether.
Local SEO is a very important part of search engine result pages because of what people are looking for in their universal searches online. More and more individuals want to see the local business information as apposed to full Web pages that make it difficult to find the information that the searcher deems important.
If you want to be seen in these searches, you should ensure that you have a title and description that both describes your business or products and has the targeted keywords appropriately worked in as well. If you have them, include images and videos, as searches often find those more compelling than simple text.
Now you need to decide how you want to maintain your presence in search engines. There on on-page elements, off-page elements and local business listings to consider when planning your approach.
Local SEO on-page approaches are like conventional SEO, but instead of being general there is a specific geographical area in mind. You will still want to focus on the standard SEO marketing, additionally taking into account the area the area you have in mind when choosing the keywords.
Things to consider when using on-page approaches is avoiding duplicate content (because this will create a penalty, which will affect your search engine rankings) and keeping your sitemap links less than 100. This is a Google recommendation and the suggestion is moving to HTML methodology completely if you have more than 100 links.
Off-page tactics is about creating backlinks. You want to have links leading to and from your site that is relevant to your site and shows the search engines that your site is relevant. Again, focus on your keywords and consider linking to different pages on your website and not just your landing page.
You can create quality backlinks by using social media sites. This is a free and easy way to advertise your business and create what Google and other search engines believe are high level sites. There is always the possibility that your social page will generate interest, which in turn can send more people to your website. Another area to consider is writing and submitting well-written articles to established and favored online article directories. You can also purchase quality backlinks and the experts at AntSEO can help direct those efforts.
To successfully implement local SEO you will need to spend some time researching your targeted areas and the keywords used for those areas. The effort will be well worth it, however, as this type of targeting can end up yielding you a lot of local business to serve.
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More than ever online users are searching for businesses locally to their area and AntSEO offers local geo-targeted SEO services to help you compete within local search. If you are interested in more information about local geo SEO marketing, please Click Here to Contact AntSEO or contact Mike Waller at 720-891-1371. Mike can also be reached by email directly at . Claim your place at the top and rise above your competition!
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