While it can take a lot of work to improve your local search engine results, it is possible to do by making just a few adjustments to how you do things. If you’re not doing it yourself, speak to your web designer about how to improve your local search engine ranking on your chosen keywords.
Go mobile – Mobile device adoption is outpacing computer purchases two to one. Therefore, it is imperative that you create both a normal website and one that is viewable with mobile devices. Your web designer can make this adjustment by adding a mirror site that is mobile friendly.
Use Craig’s List – While many things on Craig’s list are spam, you can still place advertisements for your products or services for free. This will provide an incoming link to your website. In addition, since most people look for things local to them on Craig’s list, it will improve your traffic.
Content Marketing – Write locally targeted articles that are placed on various article-marketing sites. You can even offer your local content to other locally focused content websites. Simply find them, and ask them, and it’s more than likely they’ll say yes.
Check & use your metrics – Always read your metrics and use the information to improve. If you look at the keywords that Google says people are using to find your site, it can help you improve and offer more of what your audience wants.
Create local content – Ensure that your content is local in nature and mentions your area, as well as neighboring areas that you wish to serve.
Geo-target ads – If you place advertisements make sure that they are targeted to the location you want to serve. You can do this well with Google ads, Facebook ads and LinkedIn ads. Also, contact local websites and find out the price to place ads on busy local sites.
Join local communities – Today there are many local online communities in which you can be a part. Make sure that you have a listing, and then participate in a meaningful way that is not “salesy” in nature. You can localize Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.com, so don’t forget these social networks.
Promote coupons – There are a lot of opportunities today for promoting coupons. For example, you can use Google places, Yelp!, Groupon, Foursquare and many others. Just make sure that you put the right keywords and keyword phrases and localize your contents and coupons.
Encourage reviews – A lot of people who have locally focused products and services are afraid to open up their website for comments and reviews. However, doing so will not only improve the trust you receive from people, but it will help you improve your products and services.
Add photographs – Use appropriate photos of your products and services. Where you can, ensure that you have the proper “local alt tags” included with the photographs for the search engines to notice.
Glennette Goodbread, Owner
Premium Web Design and Hosting
