Tweet

Local Search 101: Understanding Local SEO

Guest post by: Sarah Carter

Article Overview: With an understanding of local SEO, you can help your business get found in the search engine results when locals in your area search for your product or service. Find out how you can help attract more customers to your local business.

Local Search 101: Understanding Local SEO

Nowadays, when consumers want to find information about a business in their local area, they turn to the Internet. The use of the Yellow Pages to find local business information is in rapid decline, which is why businesses are now competing for the top spot on the first page of the search engine results. Local search is a way for businesses to market themselves online to consumers in their local area. If you have no understanding of local search and what it entails, you are in danger of letting your competition leave you in the dust. What is local search?

Local search is any activity that is targeted toward finding information about a local business using a search platform. A search platform could be anything from a search engine like Google, to an Internet yellow pages Website like Superpages.com.

Local search basics:

Currently, Google is the most widely-used search engine for local search. The Google Maps show consumers a wide variety of information including driving directions, contact information, a business description and a "click to call" option for mobile devices. Getting found in the Google Maps is a great starting point for any business that hasn't started optimizing for local search.

90% of consumers start purchase decisions online. This is why making sure your business is found online is so important. The beauty of local search is that you don't need to have a Website in order to get found online. With a business listing, your company can get found in the Google Maps and Places results, which will give potential customers the necessary information they need to contact you.

The first step in getting found in the search engines is to submit your business information to various local search directories. The most popular one is Google Places. In fact, unless your business is new, odds are you're already listed in Google Places. But just because you're listed doesn't mean you're all set. You need to claim, update and enhance your listing's information in order to really get a leg up on the competition.

Many unclaimed listings have incorrect or outdated information that could be confusing to your customers as well as hurt your rankings in the search engines. This is why claiming your listing is so important. Claiming your listing also gives you the opportunity to optimize it for local search. Using relevant keywords and categories in your listing as well as providing as much information as possible to make your listing complete will help boost your local SEO and get you ahead of your competitors in the Map results. Adding enhancements like photos, videos, coupons and more helps increase your ranking and makes your customer's local search experience more pleasant.

Once you've claimed your listing in Google Places, start submitting your business information to other top local directories such as Superpages.com, Merchant Circle, Yelp and more. One way to figure out which directories are the best is to perform a search on Google yourself. Think of a search term that you would like to appear on the search results for. Look at the local businesses that pop up in the results. These are your competitors. Make a note of where their listings are coming from. If you're seeing results coming from Yelp, you'll know that's a directory you definitely need to submit your information to.

The advantages of local search

There are many advantages to local search that other marketing channels can't provide. Here are the top reasons why you should start your local search campaign today.

Local search allows potential customers in your local area to find your business online and via mobile devices. More people will be able to see your business information, which will lead to increased sales and profits.

Your business can be found on the first page of search results (if you use the best practices and techniques).

Local search allows smaller businesses to compete with national chains and franchises with large marketing budgets. The best part is that it's common for smaller businesses to appear above the larger chains in the local search results.

Local search is more cost-effective than print advertising, Yellow Page ads or radio and TV advertising. You don't even need to pay large sums for a Website, local search requires off-Website SEO, which means even without a Website, you can achieve high rankings with your business listing. If you have the time and knowledge, an effective local search campaign can be done for free.

Local business listings validate the credibility of your business. Many local directories allow reviews, which gives your happy customers a chance to tell others what they think of your business. You can also lure new customers in with photos, videos, coupons and more.

In order to succeed in your local SEO efforts, make sure you fully understand how to optimize your listings. Include keywords and make your content persuasive with the goal of moving the sales process forward. Also remember that reporting and analyzing your results will help you figure out what is working and what is not in your local Internet marketing campaign. Keeping up on the changing Google algorithms requires constant education, but with hard work and effort, you will be able to get your business to the first page of the search engines and stay there.

Related Articles
  ••••••>Getting Top SEO Ranking for Local Listings on Google Local, Yahoo Local, City Search etc.
  Local Search Continuing To Gain Steam
  ••••••> Using Local Search to Get Top 10 Rankings on Google and Yahoo
  How To Set Up And Use Local Google Search
  Local Search for SEO
  How can a Local Business get on the First Page of Google?
  Rank Your Local Business Website Fast With Local Business listings
  Significance of Local SEO
  Significance of Local SEO
  Business Internet Marketing S.E.O. Help for Local Business
  LSM Is Catching Fire
  Local SEO First Page of Google local Marketing for Local Business
  The Importance of Websites in the Overall Marketing Mix
  How to Use Videos in local business to get on the first page of Google
  11 Ways a Local Website Can be a Help for Local Businesses
  Local Visibility Search Engine Optimization Blue Wave Design Studio
  The Importance of Google Local
  1.9 Building local development through cooperatives: Working Out of Poverty
  10 Simple Steps To Getting Started With Local Search Engine Marketing
  How Can Your Online Business Serve Local Businesses?

Article Tags: local internet marketing, local search, local seo, local seo services, local seo strategies



Related Forum Posts
Chain store hurdles - [quote:3v8nzz4s]Everyone I'm targeting are independent stores which helps me overcome one hurdle. [/quote:3v8nzz4s] What hurdle is that? I know the major stores like B&N, etc. like to deal with buyers and distributors, but I think they all cut some slack to "Local" authors, don't they? Every store I go into has its "Local Section," featuring local authors, as well as books about the locality. I wouldn't bypass them altogether. If you drive past one, why not go in and visit, talk to the manager, see what they say? [quote:3v8nzz4s]Bookstores want to order through Bowkers and I have their info and the ISBN (identification) numbers for my books. [/quote:3v8nzz4s] You mean the major chain ones do, right? Independent stores I think have no problem dealing directly with the publisher/author. But you want to get your money up front if possible in case they go out of business....as too many independents do these days.
Re: Google Local Tutorial - Free Online Advertising - You have done a good job on the tutorial and thanks a million for the information, I have never known about Google Local before. I will implement it immedaitely
Re: How to promote business online? - I see some good responses, but I don't see enough information from you Are you drop shipping? Local or Global, what kind of supplies, big or small ticket items, why should we buy from you, etc. New company, what is your budget?, if any
Re: How can I promote my site? - I recently added my details to Google Places. Is that the same as a Google Local Business Listing?
Re: How can I promote my site? - [quote="smartcompanysoftware":1buq8jkk]I recently added my details to Google Places. Is that the same as a Google Local Business Listing?[/quote:1buq8jkk] Yes, they're the same. You add your business information so that you can be found on the web. You can engage with customers and much more. You just reminded me to add my business there as well. Thanks!


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

The Pure FUN of Learning & Using NLP

10 Steps to a Great Support Team

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.