I apologize if this is in the wrong place, but it seems to be as good as any. I'm helping out my local pizzeria to get them more business through the internet. I've been absorbing all the great information here but can't find anything extra for just local sites. I would love for any advice you guys could give! Here's what I plan to do: A Domain with the main search term in it. The main search terms get about 1000 hits a month on google. I have set up the SEO stuff on each page; title, summary, keywords, header, etc. For links, I am using directories and signing up for every review website possible. I am engaging in social networking, making them a facebook and more. I hope to convince the owner to write an article or two on their speciality of food. I also hope to have their url on event sites like meetup and etc. My competition also has the search terms in their title, but have done almost nothing with SEO. One of the highest is a local competition's Yelp review (which my local pizzeria hasn't signed up for, but will.) I want to get them to the top of google and etc. I have $175 to buy google ads with. Do you think all of this will work? How can I do it better?
If you advertise correctly with Adwords, that should be all you need. If your competition's site has no SEO optimization as you stated, then it may be effective to optimize your client's website also. Check around the forums on ways to do so! But I'd say adwords should be effective enough.. that way the traffic is targeted and you have no downtime on having to wait for your site to rank.
I will put your Pizzeria on page 2 of Google for half that $175 for that search term and on page 1 for £100 (UK GB pounds) for that Geo pizza search term
Don't waste money buying Google ads for a local niche. Taking over the first page first position spot is a frigging cake walk for a local niche and organic search results are always best. Where are you located? Do you have Skype? If so PM me your contact info. Rhonda