Archive for the ‘Local Search Engine Optimization’ Category

Reach a Local Audience Through Online Marketing

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

User interest changes at the same pace as web trends, as the two are relevant in terms of consistency. When online users tend to search for key phrases more frequently than others, websites and businesses change their online strategies to adapt. One thing that you can expect from web marketing trends is how to reach your specific audience during the holiday season. As consumers are turning toward products and services more during the holidays, there are a few ways you can reach a more localized
audience through online marketing.

Be specific with your products and what region they are readily available. Of course, the wonders of the internet allow you to connect to a global market, but sometimes that just isn’t possible for what you offer. Include local keywords to your region so that people close to you can easily find your products and services when searching. Likewise, you can use the Google Merchant feature to blend in with local competitors and offers web users an option for buying locally.

Use the names of holidays to relate to your customers on a more personal level. The generic term “holiday” may seem more politically correct from a broad standpoint, but your customers will probably use words like “Christmas,” “Hanukkah” or “Kwanza” when looking for specific deals on products. Include any terms that may be relevant to your region, making sure you reach a full potential of local consumers.

Offer special deals on in-store or localized products and services. Encourage people to visit your location during the holidays, because your store is one of your best marketing tools. Customers still enjoy shopping in a brick and mortar store because they can try out products before they buy. There’s no denying the power of Internet superstores, but face-to-face customer service wins in many areas. Advertise your deals on your website to engage customers, boosting your holiday reach.

The Rise of Local SEO Means the Death of Yellow Pages and Newspapers

Friday, June 10th, 2011

Using the Internet has gotten easier. The “World Wide Web” can now be used as the “What’s Down the Street Web” to help promote even the smallest, local businesses.

What does this mean for business owners? Quite a bit, actually.

1. Develop a Website. Believe it, or not, there are still some companies without a Website. Companies need a Web presence to display their products and services.

2. Add local flair. Use important, relevant keywords and content that can be found by local searches. ie – Portland landscaper, New York City limo service, etc.

3. Promote! Promote! Promote! Use every social media tool available to get the info out.

4. Make sure the updates and info contains local info all over the place – hours of operation, address, phone numbers, contact names, etc.

5. Register locally with directories like Superpages, YellowPages.com, MSN Local, Google Local and CitySearch, which are far more popular than that hefty book you’ve got laying around somewhere.

Courtesy of Si1very Flickr.com

Courtesy of Si1very Flickr.com

It’s a fact that when people need information, they search for it quickly online. Search engines have become one of the primary ways that people find products and services right in their hometown. The yellow pages and newspaper listings are becoming a figment of our imagination. Consumers even use the Internet in search of restaurants and shopping districts. This growing trend increases the need for small local business owners to master this thing called “local search.”

Local SEO
will help drive more customers and more revenue if used properly by incorporating it into the company Website and blog. An active online presence is a must in order to be known by customers who use the Internet.

Companies need to do everything to be found online in their city, community, neighborhood and state. Consumers always want what’s new and exciting. Because of this, companies must be willing to evolve by becoming more creative in following its customers. Local search engine optimization allows companies to connect with customers easier because it allows the Website to be recognized online.

The world’s going local. Companies need to adapt to the local search changes, or watch their competitor quickly rise.

Advantages of Internet Marketing: Online Shopping at an All-Time High Over the Holidays

Saturday, January 22nd, 2011
A tremendous amount of Internet users did their shopping online for the 2010 holiday season. Photo from InternetRetailer.com.

A tremendous amount of Internet users did their shopping online for the 2010 holiday season. Photo from InternetRetailer.com.

If the advantages of Internet marketing aren’t quite clear to you yet, take a look at this article from InternetRetailer.com. It states that nearly 64% of Americans shopped online this past holiday season, 5% of which did all of their holiday shopping online. The shoppers surveyed said they went online to find a broader assortment and better deals, however, without Internet marketing, particular online stores may have never been found. Is it possible that the wide variety of Internet marketing and social media marketing tactics available today made it possible for brands to get their deals and promotions out to their customers so they were able to make the most out of their holiday sales?

For more information about the online shopping survey, read the full article from InternetRetailer.com.