How to Leverage Local Search to Get Traffic
12:41 AM // 0 comments // Sajib Barua // Category: //By Ali Shawaiki
The number of local searches keeps growing with the internet. You are about to learn about a few SEO techniques that will take you far in this business.
One thing you can do to get as much as you can from local searches is to make sure you're listed with the big names in the industry. This talks about Maps by Google and Local by Yahoo!. These two happen to be the most influential in this area, which is why you should try to get listed with them first, and then get on with the other things. The idea is that, by listing with these names, you'll get more traffic from the search engines than you'll know what to do with.
Getting listed in Google Maps isn't that difficult if you take the right steps. It only requires filling out a tiny form and then responding to a phone or email message that will allow you to verify your identity. Once you have verified everything, you'll have to wait for four to six weeks before you can see your site in the local search listings. Yahoo! is the same way, only verification isn't necessary. Yahoo! even lets you tailor your business listing how you want it.
When you want to rank well locally, you should focus on getting links from well regarded local websites. Make an effort to do as much networking as you can in your local area, as this will build your reputation and help your ranking. To increase your website ranking, as well as your overall reputation as a local business, you should seek out quality, relevant links to your site from established and highly regarded groups and businesses in your area.
Try to diversify your anchor text. All SEO marketers understand just how valuable it is to use long tail keywords with your marketing efforts to the search engines; when you practice Local SEO, that is what you're using. Long tail keywords allow you to play around with the anchor texts of your links, the diversification of your anchor texts and you are better able to expand your efforts. For instance, let's suppose you have a local chocolate store, don't just optimize for "New York Chocolate Store". Try to create incoming links that use other types of the same phrase like "Chocolate Store in New York" or "Chocolate Stores in Manhattan, New York." Always remember that search engines place high value on anchor texts and that means that you need to try to use as many different variations as you can if you want to increase your site's rank.
Local SEO can do more for your business than any other kind of promotions..
One thing you can do to get as much as you can from local searches is to make sure you're listed with the big names in the industry. This talks about Maps by Google and Local by Yahoo!. These two happen to be the most influential in this area, which is why you should try to get listed with them first, and then get on with the other things. The idea is that, by listing with these names, you'll get more traffic from the search engines than you'll know what to do with.
Getting listed in Google Maps isn't that difficult if you take the right steps. It only requires filling out a tiny form and then responding to a phone or email message that will allow you to verify your identity. Once you have verified everything, you'll have to wait for four to six weeks before you can see your site in the local search listings. Yahoo! is the same way, only verification isn't necessary. Yahoo! even lets you tailor your business listing how you want it.
When you want to rank well locally, you should focus on getting links from well regarded local websites. Make an effort to do as much networking as you can in your local area, as this will build your reputation and help your ranking. To increase your website ranking, as well as your overall reputation as a local business, you should seek out quality, relevant links to your site from established and highly regarded groups and businesses in your area.
Try to diversify your anchor text. All SEO marketers understand just how valuable it is to use long tail keywords with your marketing efforts to the search engines; when you practice Local SEO, that is what you're using. Long tail keywords allow you to play around with the anchor texts of your links, the diversification of your anchor texts and you are better able to expand your efforts. For instance, let's suppose you have a local chocolate store, don't just optimize for "New York Chocolate Store". Try to create incoming links that use other types of the same phrase like "Chocolate Store in New York" or "Chocolate Stores in Manhattan, New York." Always remember that search engines place high value on anchor texts and that means that you need to try to use as many different variations as you can if you want to increase your site's rank.
Local SEO can do more for your business than any other kind of promotions..