SEO on a small Local Landscaping company

14 years ago

I think you should use more targeted keywords - ones that have the cities' names in them. That way it's easier to rank and your visitors will be truly targeted.

Thanks
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schofieldml

14 years ago

Originally Posted by WyzoMarketing

I think you should use more targeted keywords - ones that have the cities' names in them. That way it's easier to rank and your visitors will be truly targeted.

Like wyzomarketing said you want to append the town names to your keywords. The business owner wants to dominate search results for a landscape company in the cities he operates in. Such as "Los Angeles Landscaping Service" I am sure the owner could care less about someone visiting his site from across the country assuming he is selling landscaping services and not physical products which he is willing to ship.

You want to concentrate on the city he is based in first. Make sure to add the physical address, not a PO Box, somewhere in the main template of the site and also include the actual phone number there, not a 1800 #, so it is across all pages on the site. Make sure the whois record address is also the physical address not a private registration. Also on site make sure there is a list of the cities he operates in. Hosting the website on a local server also helps the search engines see where the business is located but it might be a little hard to find one at a reasonable price. All this helps the search engines deliver results to local searchers even when they search without a city name. DO regular seo work on the website but make sure to include the city names in all of your efforts especially the main city. This stuff will help reduce costs if you are going to do a PPC campaign also.

Now for off site SEO like I said concentrate on the city he is based in first. When you are doing boomarking and articles try to include the city name in the title and body. Press releases will probably be best for this unless you can figure out how to write an article that will be accepted at article directories like ezinearticles. Send to the regular Online press release services and also send to local newspapers both snail mail and email that have websites. Also local radio stations that have websites. Don't forget to add the url to the directory at the local chamber of Commerce website if the business owner is a member also try to get on any other website/ directory that targets the cities he does business in even if you have to pay for it.

It might be helpful to register at a few Web 2.0 sites, (Ie Hubpages, Squidoo, Weebly, ect.) using the city name as part of the URL make sure to add a helpful information when creating the Web 2.0 site you don't want to look like a spammer. When submitting to directories try to put the listing in a regional or city category.

Rinse and repeat for each city. You might also want to consider registering regular domain names with each city name and generic search keyword such as losangeleslandscapingservice.com and put up a quasi sales page or info page.

Your goal is to pick off each city one by one. Wrap up the search results for each city and move on to the next one. After you do the city he is based in you can either start with the cities with the most population or concentrate on the smaller cities first that will have less competition. After you have done all this then you can concentrate on optimizing for the regular search terms.

Make sure to post to Google local and Bing local and any other search engine that has something similar. Also advise the owner to include the url to the website in all of his offline promotional material.

Well, that is about all I can think of right now, I am sure there are more things you can do but this will get you off to a good start.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

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eagleshot

14 years ago

Originally Posted by schofieldml

Like wyzomarketing said you want to append the town names to your keywords. The business owner wants to dominate search results for a landscape company in the cities he operates in. Such as "Los Angeles Landscaping Service" I am sure the owner could care less about someone visiting his site from across the country assuming he is selling landscaping services and not physical products which he is willing to ship.

You want to concentrate on the city he is based in first. Make sure to add the physical address, not a PO Box, somewhere in the main template of the site and also include the actual phone number there, not a 1800 #, so it is across all pages on the site. Make sure the whois record address is also the physical address not a private registration. Also on site make sure there is a list of the cities he operates in. Hosting the website on a local server also helps the search engines see where the business is located but it might be a little hard to find one at a reasonable price. All this helps the search engines deliver results to local searchers even when they search without a city name. DO regular seo work on the website but make sure to include the city names in all of your efforts especially the main city. This stuff will help reduce costs if you are going to do a PPC campaign also.

Now for off site SEO like I said concentrate on the city he is based in first. When you are doing boomarking and articles try to include the city name in the title and body. Press releases will probably be best for this unless you can figure out how to write an article that will be accepted at article directories like ezinearticles. Send to the regular Online press release services and also send to local newspapers both snail mail and email that have websites. Also local radio stations that have websites. Don't forget to add the url to the directory at the local chamber of Commerce website if the business owner is a member also try to get on any other website/ directory that targets the cities he does business in even if you have to pay for it.

It might be helpful to register at a few Web 2.0 sites, (Ie Hubpages, Squidoo, Weebly, ect.) using the city name as part of the URL make sure to add a helpful information when creating the Web 2.0 site you don't want to look like a spammer. When submitting to directories try to put the listing in a regional or city category.

Rinse and repeat for each city. You might also want to consider registering regular domain names with each city name and generic search keyword such as losangeleslandscapingservice.com and put up a quasi sales page or info page.

Your goal is to pick off each city one by one. Wrap up the search results for each city and move on to the next one. After you do the city he is based in you can either start with the cities with the most population or concentrate on the smaller cities first that will have less competition. After you have done all this then you can concentrate on optimizing for the regular search terms.

Make sure to post to Google local and Bing local and any other search engine that has something similar. Also advise the owner to include the url to the website in all of his offline promotional material.

Well, that is about all I can think of right now, I am sure there are more things you can do but this will get you off to a good start.

Thanks a lot! This sounds like very useful information.

Thanks
1 reply

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schofieldml 14 years ago

Originally Posted by eagleshot

Thanks a lot! This sounds like very useful information.

No problem, I you need any more help don't hesitate to contact me.
- Thanks
- 1 reply
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- TJ Kazunga 14 years ago
  
  Well, before you go off and start building umpteen links why not check out the competition first?
  
  Check out each town they work in (keyword variations around town+landscaping etc etc.) What sort of sites are in the top 10 on Google and Yahoo? How many in the Maps? What's the competition (keyword in quotes)? How many backlinks do the top 10 sites have (use Yahoo tool). Any videos on the first page?
  
  You might find that you don't need to do an awful lot to rank on the first page. Always do your competitive analysis first and then work out a linking strategy that will get you there, based on the analysis.
  
  Anything else is putting the cart before the horse - anyway, that's what works for me. Good luck
  TJ
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
  Signature
  
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  skullzzz 14 years ago
  
  Collect testimonials from current or past customers for some great content for the site.
  
  Also, make sure your title and description are attention grabbers. When someone finds the site after searching, you want them to click on your SER. Google search "boise lawn mowing" for a good example. The title page for the first organic result: Boise, ID Lawn Care Services - 1st Mowing Is Free!
  
  Who wouldn't click on that?!
  
  Thanks
  
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AnniePot

14 years ago

Does this company actually have a URL yet? If not, begin there with townlandscaping.com (no hyphens). If that has already gone try landscapingtown.com If both dot coms are unavailable try dot net or as a last resort dot org, but DON'T bother with any of the others.

If they already have a URL and website, I would still do what I have suggested and then forward the old domain to the new one.

Next, populate the website with articles using the keyword structure you have suggested AND write articles centered around those same keywords and submit them to EZineArticles. Immediately they go live, ping them, bookmark them then create RSS links and submit them everywhere. List them on Clipmarks and Amplify, turn one into a press release and circulate it with PressBot. Make a video and submit it to YouTube. Sign up with Yahoo Answers and answer 5 or 6 niche related questions IN GREAT DETAIL and reference an appropriate page on the website in the resource box at the bottom (never in the actual answer).

That's just a start, but it will most certainly get you off to a head start

Anne

[ 2 ] Thanks
4 replies

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WyzoMarketing

14 years ago

Originally Posted by AnniePot

Does this company actually have a URL yet? If not, begin there with townlandscaping.com (no hyphens). If that has already gone try landscapingtown.com If both dot coms are unavailable try dot net or as a last resort dot org, but DON'T bother with any of the others.

Good advice but I'd say that you can add 1-2 words after the keyword like townlandscapingXY.com it will still be better than using a completely irrelevant domain.

Thanks

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eagleshot

14 years ago

Originally Posted by AnniePot

Does this company actually have a URL yet? If not, begin there with townlandscaping.com (no hyphens). If that has already gone try landscapingtown.com If both dot coms are unavailable try dot net or as a last resort dot org, but DON'T bother with any of the others.

If they already have a URL and website, I would still do what I have suggested and then forward the old domain to the new one.

Next, populate the website with articles using the keyword structure you have suggested AND write articles centered around those same keywords and submit them to EZineArticles. Immediately they go live, ping them, bookmark them then create RSS links and submit them everywhere. List them on Clipmarks and Amplify, turn one into a press release and circulate it with PressBot. Make a video and submit it to YouTube. Sign up with Yahoo Answers and answer 5 or 6 niche related questions IN GREAT DETAIL and reference an appropriate page on the website in the resource box at the bottom (never in the actual answer).

That's just a start, but it will most certainly get you off to a head start

Anne

Wow!!! Thanks for the great advice.

He already has a URL townlandscaping.com

Do you think I should post on related blogs pr2 or higher with anchor text? I was also thinking about forum profiles and anchor text on home & garden forums? Or should I just concentrate on articles?

Thanks

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eagleshot

14 years ago

Originally Posted by AnniePot

Does this company actually have a URL yet? If not, begin there with townlandscaping.com (no hyphens). If that has already gone try landscapingtown.com If both dot coms are unavailable try dot net or as a last resort dot org, but DON'T bother with any of the others.

If they already have a URL and website, I would still do what I have suggested and then forward the old domain to the new one.

Next, populate the website with articles using the keyword structure you have suggested AND write articles centered around those same keywords and submit them to EZineArticles. Immediately they go live, ping them, bookmark them then create RSS links and submit them everywhere. List them on Clipmarks and Amplify, turn one into a press release and circulate it with PressBot. Make a video and submit it to YouTube. Sign up with Yahoo Answers and answer 5 or 6 niche related questions IN GREAT DETAIL and reference an appropriate page on the website in the resource box at the bottom (never in the actual answer).

That's just a start, but it will most certainly get you off to a head start

Anne

Wow!!! Thanks for the great advice.

He already has a URL townlandscaping.com

Do you think I should post on related blogs pr2 or higher with anchor text? I was also thinking about forum profiles and anchor text on home & garden forums? Or should I just concentrate on articles?

Thanks
2 replies

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Groovy99

14 years ago

Originally Posted by eagleshot

Wow!!! Thanks for the great advice.

He already has a URL townlandscaping.com

Do you think I should post on related blogs pr2 or higher with anchor text? I was also thinking about forum profiles and anchor text on home & garden forums? Or should I just concentrate on articles?

Your unlikely to have to do a lot of work to get a townlandscaping.com url to work. Put some content up relevant to your keywords, publish an article. There usually is not a lot of competitive pages to have to worry about. If you are feeling motivated go grab the SLOBS package being marketed here by one of the internet marketing folks (not I). It's a perfect solution for what you are trying to do.

Thanks

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WyzoMarketing

14 years ago

Originally Posted by eagleshot

Do you think I should post on related blogs pr2 or higher with anchor text? I was also thinking about forum profiles and anchor text on home & garden forums? Or should I just concentrate on articles?

Do ALL of them obviously!

Thanks

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moonview

14 years ago

Originally Posted by AnniePot

Does this company actually have a URL yet? If not, begin there with townlandscaping.com (no hyphens). If that has already gone try landscapingtown.com If both dot coms are unavailable try dot net or as a last resort dot org, but DON'T bother with any of the others.

If they already have a URL and website, I would still do what I have suggested and then forward the old domain to the new one.

Next, populate the website with articles using the keyword structure you have suggested AND write articles centered around those same keywords and submit them to EZineArticles. Immediately they go live, ping them, bookmark them then create RSS links and submit them everywhere. List them on Clipmarks and Amplify, turn one into a press release and circulate it with PressBot. Make a video and submit it to YouTube. Sign up with Yahoo Answers and answer 5 or 6 niche related questions IN GREAT DETAIL and reference an appropriate page on the website in the resource box at the bottom (never in the actual answer).

That's just a start, but it will most certainly get you off to a head start

Anne

like your post, and ideas for local seo

gregg

Thanks

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PowerWealth247

14 years ago

Lookaround, there are plenty of resources on Google maps listings here and you can go to wwww.Chaddo.com (not an affiliate link) and get a free tool that will help.Chad also has some awesome info for sale on this subject but the ideal thing is to get a single map listng where no one else has one. If your client is the only map listing they will be pleased and they will profit.
But do the due diligence and learn all about those local business directories, or email me and I'll point you to help.

Thanks

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AnniePot

14 years ago

Do you think I should post on related blogs pr2 or higher with anchor text? I was also thinking about forum profiles and anchor text on home & garden forums? Or should I just concentrate on articles?

Yes, more great methods. When selecting blogs and forums to post on, get some good link juice by including blogs and forums covering home improvement etc., and as you say, use the keywords you are targeting in your links.

Anne

Thanks
1 reply

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eagleshot

14 years ago

Originally Posted by AnniePot

Yes, more great methods. When selecting blogs and forums to post on, get some good link juice by including blogs and forums covering home improvement etc., and as you say, use the keywords you are targeting in your links.

Anne

Thanks... I have a good program to start with.

Thanks

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AmyBrown

14 years ago

If your client offers the services "stump grinding" and "sprinkler repair" are profitable keywords for a landscaper I work with.

My approach is a little different.

I'd make sure the website was worthy of sending traffic to, then focus on the Google maps listing - claim, add text, photos, videos, coupon etc. Repeat for Yahoo local and Bing local

Then submit to/update the local directories including all of the yp.com and Angieslist type directories.

Next videos and high quality articles. I'd verify with your client that they're comfortable with forum posting and blog commenting. Some of my clients have been horrified at what "SEO Experts" have done and said in their name.

Thanks
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eagleshot

14 years ago

Originally Posted by AmyBrown

If your client offers the services "stump grinding" and "sprinkler repair" are profitable keywords for a landscaper I work with.

My approach is a little different.

I'd make sure the website was worthy of sending traffic to, then focus on the Google maps listing - claim, add text, photos, videos, coupon etc. Repeat for Yahoo local and Bing local

Then submit to/update the local directories including all of the yp.com and Angieslist type directories.

Next videos and high quality articles. I'd verify with your client that they're comfortable with forum posting and blog commenting. Some of my clients have been horrified at what "SEO Experts" have done and said in their name.

Do you know of any free local directories?

Thanks

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AmyBrown

14 years ago

This is a start:
BrownBook
Superpages
YellowPages.com
Localeze

Some of these will apply:

RateItAll
MojoPages
Kudzu
Insider Pages
Merchant Circle
Judy's Book
Angie's List
Yelp

Most of these directories will call to "upgrade" your client. I always let the client know that they'll call and that no upgrade is necessary.

Thanks
1 reply

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eagleshot

14 years ago

Originally Posted by AmyBrown

This is a start:
BrownBook
Superpages
YellowPages.com
Localeze

Some of these will apply:

RateItAll
MojoPages
Kudzu
Insider Pages
Merchant Circle
Judy's Book
Angie's List
Yelp

Most of these directories will call to "upgrade" your client. I always let the client know that they'll call and that no upgrade is necessary.

Thanks alot!

Thanks

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schofieldml

14 years ago

Oh ya don't forget dmoz regional categories after the website is set up for a little while at least a few months. Consider a Yahoo listing too if the traffic would be significant and the cost within budget.

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SEOArbiter

14 years ago

Be sure to include the town names in which they intend to operate within since this would be a regional business (for example, St. Louis landscaping)...

Thanks

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SEO on a small Local Landscaping company

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