LOCAL SEARCH OPTIMIZATION

What is Local Search?

Local Search is the act of performing a geographically constrained search on one of the major search engines including Google, Yahoo, and Bing. A local search is usually performed in the format "search term" + geographic region. For example, "SEO Bloomsburg, PA" is an example of a local search. The intent of the user is to find a specific company within the geogrpahical area searched for.

Local search is quickly becoming a must for each and every business owner. People are putting away their phone books, and searching on their home computers, laptops, and cell phones to find everything from a local dentist to a great place eat.

Local search listings include elements such as an imbedded Google map, business telephone number, business website address, business hours, etc. All of these make it easy for a customer to contact you or your local company, right from the search engine results page.

What makes local SEO even more important is that the search engines are becoming smarter, and based on what a user searches for, may be served a local ad even without a geographical location being typed in. For example, search queries like “pizza”, “dentist”, and “pet supplies” performed in Google will return local listings because Google is using the user’s IP address to determine their location and serving relevant search results.


What is Local Search Optimization&Why is it Important?

Local Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is something that is often overlooked when creating a marketing plan for small to medium sized local based businesses. Perhaps it is because very few local companies are aware of SEO in general. Whatever the reason is, there is more opportunity for immediate positive contributions to your business through Local Search Engine Optimization than any other marketing channel.

Users who are performing local searches know exactly what they are looking for, and if your website comes up for that search the chances of a visit, purchase, etc. are very high.

Here are 5 reasons why Local SEO is so important:

1. It is extremely relevant.

2. It gives you a considerable advantage over your competitors.

3. It is cost effective, which increases your ROI.

4. Dominates your local market while increasing local brand awareness.

5. Most importantly - It converts