SEO / SEM Blog by Search Circus

You have a Website, finally! Great. Now what? What about local targeted keywords also known as local SEO? You should know what SEO stands for, but just in case you don’t here it is once again SEO = search engine optimization. SEO is what sets you apart from your competitors – you know those Websites that consistently appear on the first few pages of Google?

Hmm, what other marketing strategies do you have in place? Nothing? What? Are you insane? Every business should have at least, a minimum of 10, YES 10, strategies to increase sales! If you only have 1 marketing strategy in place, you are soo far behind…no wonder your competitors are ahead.

Let’s do a quick review of what YOU really MUST do to gain a competitive edge regarding your online marketing strategy in 2011 (you better have a pen and paper ready to take notes or better yet – print this blog post).

1. Go Local - Small businesses need to have LOCAL SEO throughout their Website – add your target cities to your keywords such as Cleveland SEO, Cleveland limos. If your business only serves a certain area and not the whole state or country, then you need to localize your phrases. Search engines are recognizing local or geo-targeted key phrases even when your visitors aren’t.

2. Local Lists – Just like that cumbersome phone directory that is sitting on your shelf or at the back of your supplies closet, you know the one collecting dust? Local directories are replacing its paper counterpart. Ditch that thing (ok, well recycle it at least), and ignore the sales calls from those outdated local phone directories. Instead list your business with local directories – some are even free.

3. Stake Your Claim on Google – Google Maps is now Google Places, so stake your claim and let more people find you using Google Places aka maps. It’s somewhat tedious to fill out all the information, but I know you can do it!

4. Socially Engage – It doesn’t matter whether you love it or loathe it, social networking is driving consumers to and away from businesses. Do you part and get help on creating a business profile (and page) on every popular social network online for marketing purposes. Oh – and maintain it at least weekly! Don’t have the time? Then get one of your coworkers, employees or favorite niece to help you. If you really want to be competitive, then hire an online marketing firm (not a hosting or web development company). Online marketers tend be more savvy with the written word as well as socially adept when it comes to online social networks.

5. Let’s Get a Response – I know you have those testimonials sitting around somewhere in your office or email, they won’t do you any good there. Get the feedback you need by sending your customers/clients to quality review sites and giving you 2 thumbs up online! Amazon does it, you can too! Popular review sites such as Yelp and CitySearch, will surely get you noticed in the search engines – the more the merrier on this one online marketing technique.

There you go, you’ve got 5 really good online marketing strategies to improve your muscle and face your competitors! What are you waiting for? Get moving…go, go, go!