Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Local SEO Tips
By Madison Million
Many business owners do not know much about optimizing their business' websites to increase their online presence and this keeps them from using Local SEO. Although it can seem intimidating, business owners should take advantage of local SEO since any locally based business can benefit from it. This article will lay out some tips for being successful in local SEO.
It is important to take charge of your presence online. On sites like Google Maps, claim your profile and ensure that all of your information is updated and correct. Be as thorough as possible and fill out everything. This gives sites like Google more information so that your page is pulled up as a relevant result for certain search terms. It also gives customers a better "snapshot" of your company. It is also important to upload photos. This may benefit you because it further optimizes your site or listing, it can let customers see your storefront so your business is easy to find, and it gives them insight into what your products or store is like.
Make sure that your website has a physical address listed, as well as a local phone number rather than just an 800 number. These will help to establish your location within search engines. If you have different locations, they should be on separate pages that can be navigated to from a single locations tab or page on your site. The more relevant location will show up for customers in a specific area.
When optimizing your business listings or website, remember to think the way your customer would. Don't use keywords that customers wouldn't type into a search engine. Avoid using industry lingo and use layman's terms. It may be helpful to pretend that you are a customer who is googling your services or looking up a business similar to yours and use those terms as keywords.
It is important to have a good reputation online. An easy way to start building your reputation is to simply ask your happy customers to share their experiences online. Today, social media has such a large circle of influence that it is important to treat your customers better than ever. Although disheartening, bad reviews can actually be beneficial as they lend a sense of legitimacy to online reviews and can give you constructive criticism. If you receive a bad review, respond in a calm manner and try to remedy the situation.
Finally, get out from behind your computer and out into the community. Host events that will get people talking about your business in a positive way on social media. Local newspapers may post articles about it or you may want to issue a press release about the event. Make your business newsworthy.
It is important to take charge of your presence online. On sites like Google Maps, claim your profile and ensure that all of your information is updated and correct. Be as thorough as possible and fill out everything. This gives sites like Google more information so that your page is pulled up as a relevant result for certain search terms. It also gives customers a better "snapshot" of your company. It is also important to upload photos. This may benefit you because it further optimizes your site or listing, it can let customers see your storefront so your business is easy to find, and it gives them insight into what your products or store is like.
Make sure that your website has a physical address listed, as well as a local phone number rather than just an 800 number. These will help to establish your location within search engines. If you have different locations, they should be on separate pages that can be navigated to from a single locations tab or page on your site. The more relevant location will show up for customers in a specific area.
When optimizing your business listings or website, remember to think the way your customer would. Don't use keywords that customers wouldn't type into a search engine. Avoid using industry lingo and use layman's terms. It may be helpful to pretend that you are a customer who is googling your services or looking up a business similar to yours and use those terms as keywords.
It is important to have a good reputation online. An easy way to start building your reputation is to simply ask your happy customers to share their experiences online. Today, social media has such a large circle of influence that it is important to treat your customers better than ever. Although disheartening, bad reviews can actually be beneficial as they lend a sense of legitimacy to online reviews and can give you constructive criticism. If you receive a bad review, respond in a calm manner and try to remedy the situation.
Finally, get out from behind your computer and out into the community. Host events that will get people talking about your business in a positive way on social media. Local newspapers may post articles about it or you may want to issue a press release about the event. Make your business newsworthy.
About the Author:
Learn more about SEO tips. Stop by our blog where you can find out all about Local SEO and what it can do for you.
Posted by AppleFanatic at 12:53 AM
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