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Local search is a fairly organic process, not a static one.  There is no “one way” people search for local information, so it pays to have several methods for people to find your business locally.  However, mastering the intricacies of local searches can be a daunting task, so it helps to have some information about local searches and which platforms can best benefit your business.

This infographic shows the inter-relationships among the various types of search engines and how they relate to the local search “ecosystem.” Here are a few points about the graphic that will help you maximize your search results on a local level:

• Localeze is rising in influence for local maps. Many local search directories are incorporating this platform, which is not yet a household name.  However, it pays to get in on the “ground floor” of rising platforms as you will have age on your side by the time the platform does become recognized.  Those who see the future benefit in investing time and budget into a new platform are often the ones who reap the greatest rewards.
• Acxiom is losing influence. This platform seems to be disappearing from such sites as Yahoo local and other major players. However, they do still supply Yellowpages.com, Yelp, and Superpages.com.  Therefore, it is not a good idea to jettison your Acxiom information just yet.  In fact, it is not a good idea to remove your presence from any local search platform unless you have a good reason.  If you already have an Acxiom presence, keep it.  If you do not, it should not be the highest item on your priority list.
• Google Map Maker is a major component. Changes made in this program are being posted very quickly to Google Places.  Google is one program most people are familiar with, so it is likely you will gain a wide variety of customers from this platform.  It is also the most frequently used on smart phones, especially by new users.
• Twitter Places may take over. Twitter is more geared to the mobile world and is rising in popularity in “places” platforms.  However, Twitter still remains the domain of the younger generation, so be sure to target older customers—those over 30—with Google or another more common platform.  By splitting your attention between Google and Twitter, you will gain a very large following.
• Two new platforms, Yext and CityGrid, may bear watching as they evolve.  If you can spare the time and budget, try these out and track your results.
• Open-source databases are not flowing into Google.  This could be due to “anti-Google” sentiment or other factors.  Either way, you should not ignore the implications of open-source databases in your advertising strategy.

At Orange County SEO, we can give you the help you need to optimize your local advertising strategy.  We can help you reach out to customers in your area and build your business through a variety of advertising platforms.  Contact us today to find out how.

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Do you know the difference between a local landing page and other types of web pages? If not, it is important that you learn the secrets to creating a great landing page that will attract local traffic and share your information with local customers.

What does a local landing page need to be successful in local SEO marketing? This infographic explains key points that a landing page must have to drive business to your website.

1) 92 percent of optimal landing pages have important contact information such as name, address, phone, and location. It is surprising how many local pages neglect to put this critical information in a prominent spot so that anyone who needs to can easily contact the company. While there may be good reasons to conceal direct contact information in a nationwide campaign, there is rarely any reason to do so on a local landing page.

2)59 percent have a phone contact in addition to email. Most local business have phone service during certain hours of the day. It is a good idea to provide a local phone number, since many people, especially older shoppers, appreciate being able to talk directly to the company.

3) 38 percent have a call to action. A call to action is a short piece of text that encourages customers to shop and buy locally with a particular vendor. This call to action should not be salesy but should encourage customers to buy by giving them a good reason and a clear course of action.
4) 46 percent have an easy-to-complete contact form. Contact forms should be minimal but should capture essential information: Name, phone and email can suffice in many cases.
5) 34 percent have a Google map. Google maps are some of the most underutilized resources in local web pages. A Google map is simple to install and shows customers exactly where a business is located. Many people use Google maps to determine the relative distance to businesses or to find landmarks that will guide them to the location.
6) 86 percent have product information. A local landing page is a great place to highlight your most important products as long as you do not make the page too crowded. The page should never have a catalog of products, but it is a good idea to highlight the type of goods or services your business offers.
7) 19 percent have testimonials. A short testimonial from a satisfied customer can drive customers toward your site quickly and establishes a sense of trust with your base. Customers like to know that others have used your services successfully.
8) 12 percent have trusted symbols of associated organizations. The Better Business Bureau, professional organizations and other groups offer logos that can be used if you are a member. These trusted symbols also build confidence with your customers.
9) 58 percent have staff photos. Staff photos help customers identify those who work in your organization and allow them to make a connection with them.

Local searches are becoming the key factor in building business over the internet.  At one time, web designers and SEO experts concerned themselves only with the global picture, since most local advertising was done through other media.  Changes in search technology and smart phone capabilities, however, have changed the dynamic.  Today’s customers are looking for businesses close to home, and local search optimization helps them find you.

This is true whether the searcher is a native of your area or a visitor.  If you take a trip out of town, for example, your smart phone can help you locate stores, restaurants and services in your new geographic area.  Guess which businesses show up on these searches?  The ones who are optimized for local search capabilities, of course!

Local search optimization is like taking out a virtual billboard at the city limits of your location.  You attract incoming shoppers to your website or your location and help them find your services easily when you have taken steps to make local searching easy.  Local search techniques not only take into account your location but also your “findability” on mobile devices, through GPS systems and other factors that can affect your users’ experiences.

In order to expand local search rates, businesses can take the following steps, according to this infographic:

• Understand what is at stake. By 2015, nearly a third of searches will have local interest.  This number is currently climbing every day as the smart phone takes the place of traditional cell phones.
• Improved integration and mobilization are driving local search numbers.  You cannot keep up if you do not pay attention to mobile use issues.
• 77.1 million mobile users also use local searches, especially when visiting unfamiliar cities.
• 74 percent of these searches originate in Google’s portal.  Google is still the standard for map-based searching, although other companies are quickly rising in popularity.
• At least 14 percent of users say they search locally every day.
• Only 15 percent did not find the results useful.  The majority of these were led to websites that simply were not structured to support local searches or lacked vital information, like a phone number.
• 37 percent say images were likely to grab their attention.  A picture is worth many words.
• 81 percent of businesses include a phone number with their listing for easy customer access.  Many also include fax, URL for a website, or even interactive capabilities—such as making reservations online.

Face it, local search capabilities are something you cannot afford to ignore if you want to grow and expand your business.  In order to make the most of this opportunity, you may need the help of an experienced and professional web designer who understands local search optimization.

If you are in need of professional search engine marketing from an experienced Orange County SEO company, please call us at 949-494-0007.  Orange County SEO can help you optimize your web presence to include local search considerations and make the most of your web presence—wherever you are.

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Why should you use Google Plus Local?  Because it combines the best of all worlds:  search engines, social networking, and business directory features, and it does so in a way that targets local markets.

Your customers can search for your business, leave reviews, and study photographs on Google Plus Local.  Your page will appear on Google search results and Google maps.

This page shows some of the benefits of Google Plus Local, such as:

• SEO rankings boost.  Using SEO combined with Google Plus Local gives you a better ranking than either technique alone.  This cumulative effect is easy to take advantage of, so do not ignore those implications.  If you have an opportunity to boost your rankings without additional costs, take it!
• Integrates Google Plus.  This is done automatically so that all of your activity is filtered to your social media.  Social media should always be a consideration when you are plotting your advertising strategy.  You can “hopscotch” to a variety of social media every time you post if you set up your web page correctly and follow a few simply procedures.  Once this grid is set up, your customers are instantly aware of your posts no matter what form of social media they use.
• Zagat customer ratings.  One of the most recognized customer review sites, Zagat, is integrated into Google Plus Local.  This gives you the advantage of a recognized recommendation site integrated right into your web page.  Study after study has shown that customers look for something they can trust and reviews are the primary way they build that trust with you until they actually use your product.  Studies also show that customers are becoming savvy about finding reviews and often search for them before committing to a particular business.
• Dealing with negative feedback.  You have much more control over comments and can deal with them in a timely and professional manner.  This is essential in considering your online reputation management—remember those reviews customers are looking at!
• Better search rank.  Raising your position on the first page is a key to getting more business.  If you are not on the first page, your organic search results are not doing you much good.  You can change this in a variety of ways, including changing your keywords, but there is only so much you can do to raise your rankings if your primary keywords are common.  Google gives preference to similar websites with a Google Plus Local presence.
• Increased website traffic.  Place a link to your website on the Google Plus page and watch your website traffic increase.  This relates to search rankings but also to the mobile revolution.  Users are looking for you in different ways today than they did a few years ago.
• Gather useful information.  You can obtain analytical information through Google Plus that will help you target your audience.  This is essential to tracking your advertising campaign budget’s use.

Orange County SEO will help you manage Google Plus Local and all internet platforms.  Contact us today for help.

Using Google Plus Local is easy to do when you have the help of a professional SEO expert at Orange County SEO.

Think about it for a minute.  When you are looking for a service in your local area, what is it that you type into your search engine of choice?  If you want an auto repair shop, you are likely to type in ‘auto repair shop’ and the name of your town or neighborhood.  This is going to bring you all of the options for auto repair shops in your local area.
Part of the process of making this work is in using the right keywords for your website.  The name of your shop might be Ken Repairs, but that doesn’t say anything about what you do.  And someone looking for auto repair isn’t going to know to look for Ken Repairs.  You want to make sure that the keywords on your website match what people are going to be searching for.

Confused?  It is a complicated process and it isn’t something that everyone is going to be able to figure out.  In fact, the best web designers and web design companies work hard to stay on top of SEO changes and how to keep your website at the top of search engine results.  Working with trained and skilled professionals, like the people at Orange County SEO, is going to ensure that your website is created to make local SEO work for you.

When local SEO is done right, you will be able to see the increase in your business almost immediately. There are tons of variables and localization elements you need to have in place. The bottom line is that marketing online is going to bring you more business, but only if you do it correctly.  Having a website that meets all of your business needs take time, work, and effort.

You need to spend your time focusing on running your business, not building a website and worrying about local SEO marketing.  When you want to take advantage of all the Internet can offer your business, it can make a big difference to work with a respected company like Orange County SEO.