SEO for local search is something you see talked about a lot on the internet these days but finding reliable information through all the noise can be a challenge. There is an incredible amount of bad info about search optimization that can do your business much more harm than good.
Did you know a companies online reputation can be destroyed before they even have a chance to claim their listing?
It’s true. Some even resort to what could be considered black-hat tactics to control their competitors as Tod Minzt talks about in his article a Fresh Look At Local Search Ranking Factors. His third review is crazy stuff!
I’m what’s called a WhiteHat SEO guy thus when I optimize sites I practice ethical strategies. None of that crapped mentioned in the third point of Tod’s article. I watch my reader everyday looking for trusted information about local search and SEO in general and today I ran across 2 WhiteBoard Friday video presentation at SEOmoz. I’ve broken down the videos and posted the time line in the video for specific information.
Local Business Center
This video covers all the things you should know as a business owner and getting your listing included into local search.
SEOmoz Whiteboard Friday – Local Search Inclusion with David Mihm from Scott Willoughby.
1:00 – Local Business Center. Adding your business to local search.
4:36 – Other crucial sites to list your business on.
Optimizing For Local Search
In this videos below David Mihn and Randy Fishkin cover the simply steps to optimizing your local search. Tweaking just a few things will get you better results.
SEOmoz Whiteboard Friday – SEO for Local Search from Scott Willoughby.
1:21 – Getting your business name associated with your contact information.
3:15 – Categories
5:24 – Location. Being on a geographical website.
6:10 – Reviews. Volume over ratings.
7:29 – See what matters
9:00 – Citation is the new link
The local listings are far more important than most SEO’s realize but many services are simply overlooking local search.
Are you or your SEO firm doing these things for your website?
If you own a business and you haven’t claimed your business listing yet then do one thing; do a search on Google. If your business is listed CLAIM it before someone else does. If your not listed add your listing.
See ya in local search!
