Local Keyword Research HELP!

[webladder]

I've identified about 64 "core terms" to use for a client's website who builds custom swimming pools, spas and fountains.

My next plan of action is to run these core terms through SEO Book's Keyword Tool and get some results for the estimated daily visits. My question is do I include the geo-targeted area in the core terms during research ?

For example:
One of my keyphrases is fiberglass inground swimming pools. According to SEO Book, it brings back about 168 daily estimated visits. But if I add the word "sarasota" to that core term "sarasota fiberglass inground swimming pools" it doesn't bring back enough data to show results.

Do I only need to worry about geo-targeting when doing the on-page optimization and the copywriting, but not in my keyword research ? I'm assuming that using my core term correctly, will help me rank for both that keyword and the geo-targeted area as long it's on the page, in the title tag, etc. Any insight to this ?

[Josh MacDonald]

Well, is he able to do service or sell his products to someone in a remote area, or do all his clients have to be in sarasota. Do he have tractor trailers that deliver swimming pools like I do when I sell boats?

[Valera]

I think that geo targeting is a good idea, especially local targeting if the business only operates within that area and does not work in other suburbs, towns outside of where they are located.

If they do, you have a much broader keyword selection, but I am thinking that for some businesses especially offline ones, it would be a little pointless to give them much wider exposure if they cannot deliver the work in different areas aside from where their base is.

[John Williamson]

Depends on if that client only sells locally or nationwide, and whether they only want to rank locally or on a national scale.

[webladder]

Originally Posted by John Williamson

Depends on if that client only sells locally or nationwide, and whether they only want to rank locally or on a national scale.

They work out of Sarasota, FL and serve a few surrounding counties, however, the bulk of their work is done is Sarasota. I was thinking of doing the usual footer "Serving blah blah blah and surrounding areas) which is what I usually do for local clients to give them those extra geo- keywords.

My questions is if I need to include the term "Sarasota" before every keyword I research, or if I can find a broader term, like above ground swimming pools and then in the copy, title tag, etc. I can say Sarasota Above Ground Swimming Pools and then that way I'm ranking for both the keyword phrase and the geo-targeted area as well. Otherwise, doing the KW research with the geo areas included does not yeld much, if any, search volume.

Does that make sense ? Am I on the right track ?

[John Williamson]

Originally Posted by webladder

They work out of Sarasota, FL and serve a few surrounding counties, however, the bulk of their work is done is Sarasota. I was thinking of doing the usual footer "Serving blah blah blah and surrounding areas) which is what I usually do for local clients to give them those extra geo- keywords.

My questions is if I need to include the term "Sarasota" before every keyword I research, or if I can find a broader term, like above ground swimming pools and then in the copy, title tag, etc. I can say Sarasota Above Ground Swimming Pools and then that way I'm ranking for both the keyword phrase and the geo-targeted area as well. Otherwise, doing the KW research with the geo areas included does not yeld much, if any, search volume.

Does that make sense ? Am I on the right track ?

Yes I'd do exactly what you just said, so long as you think you can rank well on the national level. That way people in Sarasota who just search for the broad, non-geo term will still find the site. You can also use some geocode:

http://www.geo-tag.de/generator/en.html