Local SEO: Is it right for you?

It can often be difficult for a business to decide what kind of marketing they should be applying in order to get more business.

Do you go with traditional yellow pages, TV spots and Radio ads? Or do you try something modern, ‘techie’ and online?

Even when a business does decide on going online, there are so many avenues and services available that it can be almost impossible to know where to go.

For the majority of small businesses online, Local Search Engine Optimization, also known as Local SEO, is very likely the best route to take.

Unlike full SEO, Local SEO is designed to help businesses gain visibility in

search engine maps and local business searches.  The basic purpose is still the same, in where a business can be found in Google when someone searches for a specif keyword. However, the method of appearing, and the way it’s displayed, differs from regular SEO.

For one thing, Google Local optimized websites only appear for certain, local based keyword. For Example, “Georgetown Massage Therapist” will show local-based businesses (Local SEO) in the area before general Massage Therapist websites (General SEO). In addition, Local SEO allows businesses to be found in Maps, which are heavily used on mobile devices such as iPhones and other smartphones.

The way Local SEO works is different from regular SEO. Many factors, including changes to the website and the link popularity of the website, are non-factors in Local SEO. That is, you can rank high in Google and be well optimized for general SEO, but you may not be appearing in local based searches and maps.

Local SEO uses a variety of local directory, sources, and business information to determine which businesses are most relevant for specific searches. The process is usually less complicated and robust (for now), and therefore requires less resources. As a result, Local SEO is usually lower in price and easier to manage.

It’s very important for all business, small and large, to employ Local SEO if they do business locally. All that is needed is a business address and phone number, and a team to manage the optimization.