Optimizing for a local business

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by earlpearl, Nov 2, 2004.

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  1. #1
    We have a business that is local/regional. Our site ranks well for national phrases and basically #1 for all local variations on our main keyword phrases and variations.

    We are always looking to expand our efforts in this regard as conversions are 99% local.

    We mention our main 3 jurisdictions, and numerous cities/towns throughout the site. We also mention a number of places with which we do business locally. A great source of visits and additional conversions has been bi-weekly updates in Craigslist for our site.

    Any other ideas?

    Dave
     
    earlpearl, Nov 2, 2004 IP
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  2. bebani

    bebani Peon

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    #2
    Google local:google.com/intl/en/services/

    Google Maps
    Adwords
     
    bebani, May 20, 2009 IP
  3. earlpearl

    earlpearl Well-Known Member

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    #3
    hmmm. i posted this about 5 years ago. uh babani...you're a little late aren't you. :D
     
    earlpearl, May 20, 2009 IP
  4. zeekstern

    zeekstern Active Member

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    #4
    Yeah, but that makes post #11. :))
     
    zeekstern, May 20, 2009 IP
  5. earlpearl

    earlpearl Well-Known Member

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    #5
    Heheh...

    Okay I've learned a few things since then.

    1. optimize for the long tail. optimize for many different keyword variations on one's products/services and optimize for the many variations of the area/town/region. Best source for this is what baked Jake says in this article from late 2006. At the time, Jake probably was the person who saw more local queries than anyone else...who would speak about it publicly.

    2. adwords...yup. Plus use ppc in all three engines for the industry basic terms w/out geo phrases. Twice in the past 3 years there have been large studies finding that searchers use organic search to find items/services....without using geo modifiers about 50% of the time; ie dentist rather than Memphis dentist. Check out Bill Slawski's review of the latest research...http://www.seobythesea.com/?p=1403

    3. G Maps, Y Local, etc. Absolutely. Learn how to optimize for these entities. Best source on that is probably http://www.blumenthals.com/blog. He covers this in a lot of posts.
     
    earlpearl, May 21, 2009 IP
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