|
What_is_Local_Search_Engine_Optimization_and_Who_Are_Your_Relatives
| What is Local Search Engine Optimization and Who Are Your Relatives?
Your business website is finally up and now comes the task of
getting found on the incredibly huge Internet neighborhood.
Where to begin?
Well, the first thing most people do is head for a major search
engine like Google, or Yahoo. And while that is a good idea,
there is much to learn before laying out those precious dollars
on ads and clicks. Most of us become totally confused on the
breadth of information we must learn in order to be savvy
marketers using the search engines. And, if you are busy running
your business 150% of the time, who has the time?
The first rule we all like is ‘keep it simple”. So start off
modestly and test the waters as you go. Identify your market. Do
your customers come from all over the country, or mostly from
nearby areas?
For most brick and mortar businesses on the Internet, your bread
and butter still comes from the local neighborhoods and
adjoining states.
So try this:
After developing a strong list of keywords related to your
specific business, look for other attractions that are
geographically near your business as well.
For instance, is there a state park near you? If you sell
hiking boots and there is a state park near you, wouldn’t it
make sense to target those people looking for the state park?
Won’t they need hiking boots? Add some ‘state parks in your
area’ related keywords to your list.
Say you live in Jamestown and you sell fishing gear. Wouldn’t it
make sense to take advantage of the presence of some of the
other popular things related to the water attractions in your
same area? People who are looking for fishing gear also look for
boats, boat supplies, life preservers, local marinas and the
like. You won’t need to use really specific keywords like ‘The
Fish and Bones Marina in Jamestown’ for instance, just add
something general like ‘marinas near Jamestown’ in your keyword
list. Fishermen (and fisherwomen), who are planning to come to
your area to fish, are more likely type in ‘marinas in
Jamestown’ than a specific marina name anyway if they are new to
the area. Their results will not only show the marinas in
Jamestown, but your fishing gear business as well, under the
same keywords. Later, when they need fishing gear, they will
already be familiar with your business name. Target more
attractions and they will see your name again and again.
If you are a restaurant who depends on the tourist trade, you
might want to consider just what other things your potential
diner might be in your town for. Consider the attractions in
your area. Museums, theme parks, entertainment centers, camping,
are all destinations your potential customer might be looking
for as well as a place to dine. Include those attractions and
local products in your keyword list and expand your visibility
exponentially.
Remember, most travelers won’t be looking for your particular
business name unless they are already familiar with you. But
your business name will pop up again and again whenever they
search for those popular attractions near you.
You don’t need to pay big bucks for your search engine results,
just brainstorm a little bit and consider all those ‘relatives’
in your area. You may also find that some keywords are really
expensive, but for the most part you won’t need them. There are
plenty of inexpensive and related keywords that will bring you
exactly the same results if you use them creatively.
To find more information on how people are using keywords try
www. suggestiontool.com, www.wordtracker.com and Google adwords.
And be nice to your relatives.
By Kathleen Jerauld-Brack
This article has been written solely by the author and is
copyrighted. 4/2005.
About the author:
Kathleen Jerauld-Brack. BFA Graphic Design and Fine Art. Her
illustrations and stories have been published in major
magazines, and she is recipient of many Art and Literature
Awards. She is Webmaster of: http://www.BestPlacetoEat.com |
http://www.BestRestaurants.us.
|
|
| |
| |
