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Archive for Local SEO

Local Search Ranking Factors 2010

by Dev Basu on Monday, June 7th, 2010 in Google, Local Search Marketing Guide, Local SEO

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Now in its 3rd year, David Mihm’s Local Search Ranking Factors study continues to provide definitive insights in the world of Local Search (Google Maps, Location Based Services, You name it’s covered). This year Powered by Search made it as the only other company in North America to have two panelists (@Shagun Vatsa and your’s truly) featured in the study, and the only Canadian company to have the same honour (see how that’s spelt honour and not honor).

For those of you eager to know the top 10 factors affecting your map rankings in the 1, 3 or 7 pack, here they are:

1. Claiming your Google Place Page/Local Listing
2. Have a Business Address in the City That is Being Searched
3. Associate Your Google Place Page with the Proper Categories
4. Put Your Product/Service Keyword in Your Place Page Business Title
5. Proximity of Your Address to the Searched City’s Centroid
6. Product/Service Keywords in your Google Place Pages Description
7. Associating Photos with your Google Place Page
8. Associating Local Area Code with your Primary Place Page Phone Number
9. Associating Place Page with Marginally Related Categories
10. Location Keyword in Place Pages Business Title

Local SEO is only going to get tougher this year as there is more saturation and competition in every industry vertical under the sun, but we’re well equipped to react proactively rather than reactively to such changes.

A Local SEO Search Story

by Dev Basu on Friday, May 7th, 2010 in Local SEO, Search Engine Optimization

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All the rage with Google’s Search Stories tool has passed I suppose, but I had forgotten to put up our very own Local SEO story so here it is. you can create your own here: www.youtube.com/searchstories.

SMX Toronto Local SEO for National Enterprises Slides

by Dev Basu on Friday, April 9th, 2010 in Conferences, Local Search Marketing Guide, Local SEO

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Local SEO for National Enterprises – SMX Toronto – How to Rank 10, 100, 1000+ Locations

View more presentations from Powered by Search Inc..

Learn how to do Local SEO for National Enterprises and Franchises. This SMX Toronto presentation covers local seo strategy, ranking tips, local search analytics, and best practices on carrying out an enterprise local search strategy.

Using Webcams as an Advanced Local SEO Citation

by Dev Basu on Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 in Local Search Marketing Guide, Local SEO

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Today we’ve got a guest post from a fellow Local SEO, Jonathan Page:

There is a great quote by Jerry Rice that says: “Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t.” That quote perfectly summarizes today’s tip. I have been involved in SEO since 2000 and the longer you look at local SEO results the more you see that you don’t beat competition by a mile you simply nudge them out by a nose.

So doing what they won’t do or what they don’t know how to do is the only way to guarantee the results you want for your, or your client’s, site. So, with that in mind know that todays tip won’t be as useful for everyone. If you are in a very small town it may not make as much sense as the guy with a business in a big city. However, it can be used by you and it will help your results. Even it if it just a nudge in the right direction. Fire up Google Maps and search for the city where your business is located.

It should look like the image above. Next to traffic on the top right you will see the “More” Menu. If you click it will bring up several options. Select Webcams. If your city is like most of the ones I deal with you will see some results from Webcams.Travel. These webcams are often referenced as citations, so by setting up your own webcam you can get a highly valued citation with about 5 minutes of work. The steps involved are all fairly simple:

Signup with Webcams.Travel
Add Your Webcam- Your Webcam should have some value to tourism. So, if your in a bigger city you can simply show the street that your business is on. Just point the webcam out your window and that adds some value. If you are in a very small town the value is negligible but it still exists. Even if people use your webcam to see if the grass is growing it is providing some value.
Keep your business credentials consistent. Your webcam’s name should be your ‘business name’ + ‘name of street’ or ‘name of view’. The address should be your business address, etc.
Use your camera to get a default image of your webcam’s view. In a pinch you can take a screenshot from google street view if you don’t have a camera handy.
Use MeBeam to broadcast your webcam. The same rules apply-make the name of the room as the name of your business.
Copy-Paste your MeBeam URL into Webcams.Travel to complete your listing.

That is all there is to it. Your webcam will get approved in about a day and I suggest to my clients to simply use a spare computer with a webcam attached. So far everyone has had the equipment lying around that they were happy to put it to use. Very simple geo-targeted local seo citation, that provides value to those who see it while helping your business. A win-win.

Jonathan is a local seo professional in Washington, DC. At LocalSEO.Org he works to educate both industry professionals and small business owners in the simple tactics that they can employ to enhance their businesses’ exposure.

The 20 Best Local SEO Citation Sources for The United States

by Dev Basu on Thursday, March 18th, 2010 in Blog, Local SEO

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The Bare Bones List of the Best US Local Citation Sources

The Local Ranking Algorithm is generally centered around the regular on-page and off-page factors attributed to traditional or organic seo, in addition to an all important factor around local business citations. David Mihm provides a great explanation about why Citation is the New Link. As local search becomes increasingly more social, user reviews and local business citations are becoming very important in securing top local ten-pack listings.

We’ve compiled a list of 20 + 1 of the most important local seo citation sources for you to submit your business to.

Judy’s Book

Judy’s Book is a book of local secrets that helps you to make decisions.

Add Your Business to Judy’s Book

ShopCity

The smarter way to shop locally. Find out more here! Unlock the Potential of Local Internet Marketing.

Add Your Business to Shop City

Yellow Bot

YellowBot is essentially a local search site for finding and reviewing the places you go to in your community (and elsewhere). As an integral part of the site we are building ways for patrons and business owners to exchange tips and experiences.

Add Your Business to Yellow Bot

Super Pages

Online business directory services with business and residential listings from coast to coast. Includes phone listings, driving directions, maps

Add Your Business to Super Pages

Dexknows

Find local business listings, driving directions, maps, people and local information at DexKnows.com.

Add Your Business to Dex Knows

MagicYellow

Add your business to our data base and make it accessible to millions of potential customers who are searching for products and services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Add Your Business to Magic Yellow

Zidster

The easiest way to find local products, services, and businesses. Zidster.com, a local directory like no other!

Add Your Business to Zidster

Info USA

InfoUSA has 30 years’ experience providing mailing lists and email lists to businesses of all sizes.

Add Your Business to Info USA

Localeze

Localeze is the largest online local search engine content manager serving businesses, local search engines and ready-to-buy consumers.

Add Your Business to Localeze

Yellow Pages

Find online Yellow Pages business listings, phone numbers, addresses, maps, driving directions and more in the YELLOWPAGES.COM online directory.

Add Your Business to Yellow Pages

Yelp

Add Your Business to Yelp

City Search

Use Citysearch® City Guides to get reviews, recommendations and directions to the best hotels, restaurants, events, night clubs, shops, services and more.

Add Your Business to City Search

Yellow Book

Find local businesses at YellowBook.com! Yellow Book is the leading source for free online yellow pages.

Add Your Business to Yellow Book

Insider Pages

Reviews of Local Businesses Written by People Like You! The Inside Scoop on Restaurants, Beauty Salons, Dentists, Preschools, Spas, and More.

Add Your Business to Insider Pages

Kudzu

Kudzu puts you in front of local customers — at the very moment they need you. And it helps you unleash the power of word of mouth.

Add Your Business to Kudzu

Local.com

Find local listings of businesses and services near you. Get driving directions, reviews and ratings, phone numbers, addresses and more on Local.com

Add Your Business to Local.com