a crash course in local seo: increase your ranking on major search engines

Increase Your Ranking on Major Search Engines

A Crash Course in Local SEO

SEO Questions? twitter.com/localvox We’re answering right now on Twitter. Use #LocalVoxWebinar.

What We’ll Cover Today

• SEO 101

• Local SEO Rules

• Mobile matters

• SEO myths – busted!

• Additional resources

• Q&A session

SEO 101


Definition

Search engine optimization is the process of refining your website to that it will be indexed and ranked by search engines, as well as leveraging your links from other sites.


Why Do You Need SEO?

51% of local searches result in a store

visit

29% of mobile local searches result in an in-store

purchase

91% of search engine users say they

always find what they are seeking

on search engines


Local vs. National SEO


Which Should You Use?

• Storefronts • Service area providers • Franchise listing page

• E-Commerce businesses • Brands • Franchise overview pages

Local SEO National SEO


Current Factors in SEO

• Intricate algorithms

• The keywords people use to search

• Preferred search engines

• Device used to search/website optimization

• Location of searcher

Local SEO Rules


Audit Your Listings

FIND MISTAKES

LocalVox Free SEO Report

localvox.com/free-seo-report/


Be Consistent

• Name

• Address

• Local phone number

• Website, email, etc.

Don’t forget about your social media accounts!


Enhance Your ListingsWrite SEO-friendly copy into your business description

Select industry-specific tags and categories

Upload images, pictures and videos to make your listings visually engaging

Link back to your website


Take Advantage of Reviews• Reviews account for up to 10% of

local search ranking factors

• Managing reviews increases engagement with your customers

• Creates business advocates who use word of mouth

Top review sites: localvox.com/blog/top-social-

communities-to-track-customer-opinions-and-reviews/

http://localvox.com/blog/top-social-communities-to-track-customer-opinions-and-reviews/


Use Google My Business

Free ebook download live.localvox.com/

google-my-business

• Be found quickly

• Share the correct information about your business

• Add photos, highlight positive reviews, give a virtual tour

• Easy to manage

• Includes insights and analytics


Monitor and Report

Mobile Matters


Google’s Mobile-Friendly Update


How the Update Impacts You


Common Mobile-Friendly Characteristics

• Simple + clean navigation

• Minimal design elements

• Content easy to read

• Clickable phone numbers

• Addresses use device’s maps

• Call to actions use email (or have simple forms)


Take Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test

google.com/webmasters/tools/mobile-friendly/


Google Your Site From a Mobile Device


Fix Errors in Search Console

SEO Myths — Busted!

There are short-cuts you can use to increase your SEO

SEO is a long-term investment

You have to have a huge amount of keywords and links

Engaging content is your goal

Myth #3

SEO cannibalizes other online marketing traffic drivers

SEO cannibalizes other online marketing traffic drivers

SEO will make your other online

marketing efforts more effective.

SEO is for the algorithm, not the searcher

Search algorithms are designed by

humans.

SEO organizes those results.

SEO is all about text and copy

Keywords don’t dictate content

SEO is all about links

Links are important, but aren’t the only

factor

SEO is impossible for local businesses

SEO has evolved to predict searchers intent — great for local businesses!

Additional Resources


#LocalVoxWebinar

Imagine a dedicated SEO marketing team working for your business

Our tools, technology and experts enable you to take your marketing to the next level

To learn more, contact us: [email protected] (844) 654-6169

✓ Search

✓ Social

✓ Mobile

✓ Email

Get your free SEO report today! localvox.com/free-seo-report

Simple, Effective and Affordable Local Online Marketing

✓ Advertising

✓ Website

✓ PR

✓ Lead Gen



Top 20 Local Business Directories to Be Listed On

http://localvox.com/blog/top-local-business-directories/

New Blog Article Get a Free

Marketing Consultation

CONTACT US

(844) 654-6169 or [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Questions?1. Use your chat feature

2. On Twitter: #LocalVoxWebinars

3. Email: [email protected]

Yelp

#LocalVoxWebinar

History

◉ Links were decided to be more important than content

◉ Link spam was everywhere

◉ Content still not enough to build web traffic

◉ Google launches “Penguin” to start focusing in content, not links

◉ Google launches mobile update to reward mobile responsive websites

2007 2012 2015


Audit Your Listings

• A citation is where someone references your business

• Called “back-linking”

• Citations make up 20% of local SEO ranking factors

Top 20 directories to be listed in:

localvox.com/blog/top-local-business-directories

Rule #1

http://localvox.com/blog/top-local-business-directories


Take Advantage of Reviews

• Reviews account for up to 10% of local search ranking factors

• Managing reviews increases engagement with your customers

• Creates business advocates who use word of mouth

Top review sites: localvox.com/blog/top-social-

communities-to-track-customer-opinions-and-reviews/

Rule #2

http://localvox.com/blog/top-social-communities-to-track-customer-opinions-and-reviews/


Be Consistent

Get your free SEO report at: Localvox.com/free-seo-report/

• Keywords

• Directory listings

• Business description

• Name, area, phone should be every place your business appears online

Rule #3

Don’t forget about your social media accounts!

a crash course in local seo: increase your ranking on major search engines

Small Business & Entrepreneurship