5 ½ Ways to Optimize for Local Search: The 2010 Version
Over a year ago, I wrote about optimizing your website for local search. While all of those tactics are still important (and will still work), certain points have become more important than others.
So here it is. How to optimize for local in 2010…
1. Submit to local directories.
Submit to every one that you can get your hands on. And let me warn you…there are a lot. But take the time and do it, filling out as much information as you can. Here are the important ones I use:
- Google Maps (or Google Local Business Center)
- Yahoo Local
- Bing Local
- Best of the Web
- Superpages
- Localeze
- TripAdvisor (if it applies)
- Yelp (if it applies)
- Insider Pages
- Yellow Pages
- Kudzu
If you want a truly complete list, check out this post by Local SEO Guide.
1 ½. Update your local listings.
In order to truly leverage these listings, make sure you update them. Think of them as local profiles – a place where you can upload images, video, even coupons (similar to your Facebook fan page). Keep your profiles fresh – just like your website.
2. Gather reviews.
Even as things have changed in local search, the importance of local reviews haven’t. Long story short, the more positive local reviews you have, the higher you rank! So ask your clients and customers to give you a review.
Get a negative review? Not to worry; face it head on, and reply right on the thread with an apology and a promise to fix what went wrong. More often than not, they’ll remove the scathing review or write a positive follow-up!
3. Optimize those title tags.
This one’s pretty self explanatory: make sure your location is in your title tags.
4. Address & Phone Number
Your address and phone number should be on every page of the website. Not only is this helpful for customers, but also for search engines. The footer is a good (and subtle) place for your address and phone number.
5. Social Media
Nearly every social profile will have an area for location. Use that to your advantage for your business!
Not only will your social profiles rank well for queries for your business name and location, but the implications of real time social search could also play into effect in the future:
Using these tactics isn’t a sure fire way to get to the top of Google Maps, but it’s certainly a start.