A Step-by-Step Guide to Optimizing for Local Search, A Mardi Gras Special
Photo Credit: Associated Content
Let’s say I have a small business in downtown New Orleans, where I sell everything you could possibly want or need to celebrate Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday. How will I ever optimize my site with all the competition?!
(Note: This guide is assuming all other things are equal on my site: including clean and readable code, as well as proper keywords optimized for)
- I would first optimize my website for my location, including:
- Keywords in title tags, meta-descriptions, and content.
- Address on all pages (most likely in footer).
- Phone number (with location specific area code) in meta-descriptions and on all pages.
- Blog: posts incorporating location and local events.
- Verify my local listings using GetListed, as well as any niche listing sites in my industry.
- Add as many images as I could to these local sites (including images of my storefront and products).
- Add videos to listings (of anything and everything: from a scan of the store, to a scene from downtown New Orleans on Mardi Gras, to “What do you need to celebrate Mardi Gras 2009?”) - Create (and optimize) a YouTube channel, and upload all of my videos.
- Optimize channel using geo-specific keywords. - Acquire backlinks from local bloggers and businesses, preferably (for local purposes, anyway) in New Orleans or surrounding Louisiana towns.
- Set up an AdWords campaign geared specifically toward New Orleans and the surrounding towns.
- Submit to all of the general and niche directories; as well as location specific ones – like the local Chamber of Commerce.