Local SearchWhat Local Businesses Need to Know About Local Searchpresented by seOverflow

What We’ll CoverWhat Local Search IsOn Page Optimization for Local SearchOff Site Optimization for Local SearchLocal Platforms-Where You Need to BePPCs for Local Businesses

What Is Local Search?presented by seOverflow

Local Search Is…Local Search is any search made with the goal of finding something in a specific geographic area.This is known as searching withlocal intent.

How Is Local Intent Determined?The searcher uses geographic modifiers.The searcher has personalization settings on.The Searcher uses a “local” place.The Search Engine interprets local intent from the search phrase.

The 3, 8 or 10 Pack

Where Are Your Customers?Neighborhood?City?Nearby cities?Region?State?

Where Are Your Customers?The broader your geographical reach, the more time and money you need to be successful.Generally, the narrower your reach, the easier it will be to compete online.Why? There is usually less competition and it is usually less savvy about internet marketing.

Local Search ChallengesRank well in Universal SearchRank well in the Local 10 PackRank well in Local Search EnginesBe in the Internet Yellow PagesBe on Local/Social web sitesBe in vertical directories for your industry and location

On Page Optimization for LocalMaking Your Website Work in Local Searchpresented by seOverflow

On Page OptimizationBuild relevance and trust in your location+keywords.Do all the usual things when optimizing - title, description, h tags, content, good internal linking, etc – but with a geographicslant.

Place your full street address and local phone number on all pages of your website.Optimize your Contact or About page for your business name and location.Use the hcardmicroformat to make your location unmistakable to the Search Engines.Where Are You?

If your business name doesn’t make it very clear where you are and what you do, then use a tagline to communicate that information to both humans and Search Engine spiders.TIP: Give Your Biz a Tagline

What’s Wrong With This?

Create a separate page for each locationUse local info on each of these pagesLink internally to location pages, using the right link textUse other terms on the page that will help the Search Engines understand where you are: street intersections, highway exits, what’s nearby, nicknames for neighborhoods, etc.TIP: For Multiple Locations:

Off Site Optimization For LocalWhat Else Helps Your Business Rank?presented by seOverflow

Use the same name, address and phone number everywhere online and offline.Go to the sources of business data and standardize there.Use a local database directory - check out UniversalBusinessListing.org and GetListed.orgStandardization Builds Trust

Create free profiles on:Google Maps www.google.com/local/addYahoo Local http://listings.local.yahoo.com/Bing Local https://ssl.bing.com/listings/ListingCenter.aspxIf you never do anything else, do this!Create Local Business Listings

Anatomy of a SERP Pay Per ClickPay Per ClickLocal Ten PackOrganic

A Google Maps Listing

Google Maps Dashboard

Use your main keyword phrase and complementary terms in your profile descriptionsGrab the long tail by including: Your products and services The brands you carry The locations you serve Anything else important in your nicheOptimize Your Biz Listings

Choose – or create – the right categoriesGive your listing attributesOptimize Your Biz Listings

Citations, aka web references, are web pages that cite or mention your business or web site. They do not have to contain a link!Create Citations

Citations are important in building Google’s trust in the information it has about you.Citations can drive targeted traffic to your business.Citations are easier to get than links – many are free.Keep Creating Citations!

Reviews and Local Search The Impact of Reviews on Local Searchpresented by seOverflow

“Online reviews are second only to personal advice from a friend as the driver of purchase decisions; user reviews are more influential than third-party reviews. ("Web users and web community," Rubicon Consulting, Inc. October 2008)” “81% of online holiday shoppers read online customer reviews (Nielson Online, December 2008)” “86% of consumers read online business reviews before making purchasing decisions; 90% of whom say they trust these reviews. (Kudzu.com survey of 600 users, December 2008)”“The Trust in Advertising survey of 26,000+ found that Consumer Recommendations are the most credible form of advertising. ("Social Media Marketing: The Right Strategy for Tough Economic Times" Awareness, 2008)”Statistics from BazaarVoice.com See more at http://www.bazaarvoice.com/industryStats.htmlThe Impact of Reviews

Ratings and reviews enter into the algorithm on some sites-like Yahoo!LocalThe more reviews, the better.Highly rated items can rise to the top on some sites and poorly rated ones are rarely seen.Users can sort their results by ratings on some sites, creating their own personalized rankings.Reviews Influence Rankings

ONLY FROM HAPPY CUSTOMERS!Have a plan in place. Use surveys and follow-up emails. “Bribe” people to submit reviews.Send reviewers to a variety of web sites.TIP: Ask for Reviews

Link BuildingStrategies For Finding and Acquiring Powerful Local Links

The right incoming links can help with location trust. Look for links from local authority sites.Look for links from sites that rank for what you want to rank for. Use existing relationships to get local links.Tip: Get Local Links

Pay Per Click BasicsSuccessful Local PPC Campaign Components

How PPC is UsedPay Per Click (PPC) is not just used for an organic traffic alternative.Other uses include:Branding and Reputation ManagementKeyword researchExpanded search engine presence (would you rather show up once or twice?)

Organic vs Paid Search

PPC FAQDoes PPC work?It can. More likely If managed professionally.How much will it cost per clickHow do I know that I am not a victim of click fraud?You don’t unless you use expensive and sometimes inaccurate analysis toolsWhy shouldn’t I just run PPC myself?Most do-it-yourselfer’s waste more money trying it themselves than they would have paid a pro. The search engine’s goal is to get you to spend as much as possible.

Google AdwordsMost advancedMost trafficYahoo Search MarketingA little less complexUsually cheaper clicks than AdwordsMicrosoft adCenterMostly low quality content adsPopular PPC Programs

Geo target your advertising on Google by using geo qualifiers in the terms you bid on .An geo target ads to show only to people in the places you choose. TIP: For Local PPCs

Geo target your advertising on Google by using geo qualifiers in the terms you bid on .

An geo target ads to show only to people in the places you choose.

Optimized! http://www.marybowling.comLocal Search Column at ClickZhttp://www.clickz.com/3630485Local Search NewsseOverview Local Search Audit seOverflow Blog Email: mary@seOverflow.comLocal Search Resources