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Need help with local SEO

by webatomic
24 replies
  • SEO
    • |
I have some potential work for a client who is a local window contractor. This is my first time approaching SEO from a local business perspective. Now if I search for broad terms like "window contractor", "replacement windows" etc., I get plenty of search volume and competition etc. But these are obviously too broad. So I imagine I need to be looking at keywords like "replacement windows sonoma" or "window contractors santa rosa" etc. But when I look at those, the daily Google search volume is 0, so it seems like a waste of time. Any suggestions on how to do meaningful keyword research for a local business? My main tool is Market Samurai. Thanks!
#local #seo
  • Profile picture of the author Marko Vel
    Try with local search engines, if exist.
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    Serpline - Powerful SEO guidelines
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  • Profile picture of the author zincOnline
    For a start try putting the location before the industry.

    eg boston window fitters

    This is the way more people will word their search.

    Getting to the top of the local business search is also vital - use business directories to promote the site making sure to leave the address each time, and of course submit to google business index.

    With local business seo look for highly ranked sites that you can become apart of - A client of mine is a plumbing contractor, one of the major keywords we went for a directory is the first page result - by adding a a few a's to the start of the listing were right there at the top

    Think local!
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  • Profile picture of the author webatomic
    Thanks for the advice. Even with the location at the beginning of the keyword, there is virtually no search volume. I can certainly do business directories, local search etc., but is it a waste of time to try and rank on Google if all targeted local keyword phrases have such ****ty search volume?
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  • Profile picture of the author euhlir
    There's nothing that can be done if no one is searching for your type of business in your area. The few that are will be more likely to hire you though if you're the only one online.
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    • Profile picture of the author webatomic
      Originally Posted by euhlir View Post

      There's nothing that can be done if no one is searching for your type of business in your area. The few that are will be more likely to hire you though if you're the only one online.
      That's true. Maybe I need to look at monthly search volume instead of daily to get an idea of terms that re getting at least a few searches.
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  • Profile picture of the author webatomic
    Also, I assume it's not really worthwhile to try and rank for broad terms like "window contractor" or "solar windows", since they're not targeted locally and probably have a great deal of competition?
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  • Profile picture of the author chair10marketing
    The link John Hocking posts above to David Mihm's study of local search ranking factors is excellent. I rely on that study often when doing local SEO.

    I also just wrote a blog post with local SEO tips entitled 'Top 5 Local SEO Must-Do's' that you may find helpful for your client work.

    You can find it on the Chair 10 Marketing blog - Chair10Marketing(dot)com/blog

    Specific link:
    Chair10Marketing(dot)com/blog/seo/google-local-seo-for-business/


    If Google Maps/Google Local results are coming up in the organic results in Google for searches related to your client's services - then local SEO will be essential for them.
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  • Profile picture of the author turbohips
    Check out this thread I started and it should get you started in the right direction for what you're trying to achieve. Don't forget to hit the thanks button.

    http://www.warriorforum.com/adsense-...tuff-here.html
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    brit momaday leight
    Larry Leight

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  • Profile picture of the author webatomic
    Thanks for all the help. Any tips on how to rank for multiple cities, since so much seems to be based on the actual company address listed on the website and in citations?
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  • Profile picture of the author ArticlePlayground
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    • Profile picture of the author webatomic
      Originally Posted by ArticlePlayground View Post

      Have you tried using the Google AdWords external keyword tool yet?

      In what way? Is there some local seo functionality I'm not aware of?
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    • Profile picture of the author max922
      Originally Posted by ArticlePlayground View Post

      Have you tried using the Google AdWords external keyword tool yet?
      Through Google Adwords keyword tool you can find Keywords and Word Tracker is Alternative. and 1 more Tips if you are offering services then first optimized you website on "buy" "buying" Keywords Etc.. Like If you are I am offering Promotion Keychains then I first optimize on Buy Promotional Keychain, Buying Promotional Keychains, and So on..
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      • Profile picture of the author webatomic
        Originally Posted by max922 View Post

        Through Google Adwords keyword tool you can find Keywords and Word Tracker is Alternative. and 1 more Tips if you are offering services then first optimized you website on "buy" "buying" Keywords Etc.. Like If you are I am offering Promotion Keychains then I first optimize on Buy Promotional Keychain, Buying Promotional Keychains, and So on..
        Thanks. I'm pretty familiar with doing traditional keyword research for traditional SEO purposes. I'm really looking for assistance in keyword research for local SEO, which is a whole different ballgame it appears.
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  • Profile picture of the author webatomic
    One thing I really need to figure out is how to show up for multiple cities in the Google 10-pack etc. How is this accomplished? For example, if my client is in San Francisco, but services Berkeley, Santa Rosa, San Rafael etc., how can I get him to rank for those cities as well in the Google 10-pack?
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  • Profile picture of the author turbohips
    Well to help get in the 10-pack I've used a few techniques. First you must have a complete description filled out to 100% and make sure the catagories you selected are common words that automatically appear when you start typing. Secondly, I found that if you have a ton of favorible reviews, your listing appears higher up the list. Now I have seen sites with less reviews show up but I do believe this is part of the algorithm. Just create a bunch of Google accounts and start posting reviews on different days to see how this ends up. Lastly, I make sure that my description has a bunch of keyword in it so it has a better chance of showing up on the top 10.

    I believe this is the info that you were seeking. Feel free to hit the thanks button.
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    brit momaday leight
    Larry Leight

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    • Profile picture of the author John Hocking
      One of the things I have found helpful for local search is to optimize the page for city you are trying to rank for.

      This includes getting the city name in the page title and featured in the content of the page.

      This is of course harder if you are trying to traget multiple locations.

      If you do have multiple locations, craete a different contact us page for each location and optimize the page for the location. Be sure to list your services on the page as well and you have a chance to rank for it.
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  • Profile picture of the author webatomic
    Thanks again. In terms of keyword research for local SEO, what do I need to do differently from traditional organic SEO? Because right now, I get no search volume for terms like "alameda county window contractors"
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    • Profile picture of the author John Hocking
      Originally Posted by webatomic View Post

      Thanks again. In terms of keyword research for local SEO, what do I need to do differently from traditional organic SEO? Because right now, I get no search volume for terms like "alameda county window contractors"
      When you set your listing in local business center use the main generic keywords the apply.

      Window contractors, window repair, window install.... etc

      When someone goes to Google and search for "window Repair" and is geo located near your business location, Your busniess will be added to the results in the local search results.

      Ranking well in those results has a lot of factors that are different then traditional results.

      Google is trying to figure out what are the nearest and most relevent locations for the term search for.

      If I am trying to optimize a site for a location, I prefer to get the city name in the title and get the address and phone number on every page of the site. Google can use this information to help validate your location as relevent to the search.

      The article above goes into create detail of the factors that affect the search local results.
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  • Profile picture of the author webatomic
    OK, so the traditional measure of finding keywords with high search volume and low/easy competition doesn't really apply? Basically I want to find the most relevant, generic keywords for the LBC listings etc. and use the factors mentioned on the David Mihm site? Sounds also like compared to traditional organic search, this could be a lot easier and not require continuous keyword research and link building. Is that a fair assumption, or is there an ongoing aspect to doing he local SEO as well, once all the listings and citations etc. are in place?
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    • Profile picture of the author JasonDevans
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      • Profile picture of the author John Hocking
        The way I approach it, is the same way I would do keywords research for creating a adwords ad. I try to get in the mind of the customer and think what they would most likely search for and optimize around that theme.

        If you do a great job, try to get the customers to leave positive feedback on your local search result. This will also help boost your ranking and more importantly give you more credibility to future customers.
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  • Profile picture of the author warriorak
    I would recommend a three fold approach:

    1. Local Business listings (at Google, Yahoo, and BING)

    2. Organic SEO. And I am sure that people are searching for those terms locally. Google will pick up a location from the users IP address, so even if they do not enter a city, Google will serve locally optimized sites.

    3. Paid Search. This will get you immediate and locally targeted traffic.

    Hope that helps.

    Anthony
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    Anthony Kirlew
    Affiliate Program Manager | Web.com Search Agency
    Join our SEO/PPC Affiliate Program! (13 yr old, publicly traded company)
    http://www.submitawebsite.com/client...a-partner.html
    Tel: 480-945-5747 | akirlew[@]web.com

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