Local Search Engine Marketing: High Ranking Guidelines

Unlike what many may say, there are some tangible, practical ways to naturally rank high in local search... for little or no money.

Local search marketing through the likes of Google Maps (formerly Google Local), Yahoo! Local and Local.com is a completely different animal when compared to the wildly popular nationwide search phenomenon. As a case in point, it is entirely possible to have a high national organic ranking but still not rank locally, or visa versa. Although the popularity of local search is not nearly as widespread as nationwide search, it is bigger than one might expect and expected to continue to grow in years to come. The Interactive Advertising Bureau and PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates that local ad spending is currently as much as $147 billion, more than any other form of offline marketing. Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, was quoted by Greg Sterling as stating, “Locally targeted ads are an increasingly meaningful contributor to revenue, and much more is coming.”

So what are some ways businesses with local target audiences can attract buyers through local search?

First, it is important to acquire listings on as many online yellow page directories and local search engines as possible (some of which are for free and some for a fee). For the most part target leading, widely used sources of relevant local information. At first, focus on submitting your business listing to the “big” local directory and search engine services. Then if you have time, look to get listed with the local “little guys”. Regardless of where your local listing is, always make sure the business description is well-written, current and relevant. If your business is already listed in your local print yellow pages, then chances are you will also have an online listing you may not even know of. If you’re new to local search, this should give you a good head start.

Second, typically the closer (geographically) you are to your prospective customer, the better. Although not always “fair”, search engines tend to assign more relevancy and higher rank to local business listings that are physically closer to in proximity to the location the searcher is searching from.

Finally, simply offering good ol’ fashioned quality customer service should eventually help with your local rankings. How? It’s simple. Typically the companies that offer good products, at a fair price, followed by good customer service are the ones that people continue to talk about. And eventually one of those satisfied customers will “say” (write) something positive online about your business, which can lead to a higher local rating and ranking for your website.

There are of course many other factors important to ranking well in local search not discussed here, but these are some key elements to help get your local business found by more and more interested prospects online. As always, remember that as far as anyone can tell, these local search “high ranking guidelines” could change tomorrow, next year or never. So stay up with the latest local search trends and continue to test various ranking techniques for your local listing and/or website.

Are you a Montana business? Learn more about Internet marketing and Website promotion services tailored to your business.

This article was published by Optimum Web Marketing.

home

services

free report