How To Separate Local Search SEO Strategies

Recently, the search goliath, Google, has confirmed that it is increasing its focus on local search, which will result in the search engine automatically pulling up local results via access of the searcher’s IP address. As the Internet and its search markets grow globally, Google is making sure that local businesses and searches are not being left in the dust. This means that any business who wants to be successful on a local and global scales, will need to manage their content for both targets with more precision. If a website focuses on one more than the other, they may experience a loss in traffic from the other.

Optimizing for both local and global search isn’t incredibly difficult and any specific strategies shouldn’t interfere with each other. For in-depth details, consult an SEO expert to insure that you do not compromise any existing strategies you have in place. If you want the meat and potatoes of a focus on local, here are a few things you can do yourself.

Search engines are able to deduce the different localities that your site serves, so it is recommended that you separate out your “local” information. If your business operates in a few different markets, create a separate page for each one. While creating these pages, perform your regular SEO with geo-location modifiers. For example, “Jewelry-Mart in Austin” rather than just “Jewelry-Mart”. When you provide directions to finding your location, include written directions to accompany the map. Search engines cannot get enough of text, so the more local streets you provide, the more local you will appear to the spiders. When you are creating separate pages for each location you serve, minimize duplicate content by providing only essential information, all the while linking it back to the main page. If you duplicate too much content, it could affect your rankings.

Once you have finished the individual pages, you will need to add extra pages to your sitemap, including your local tags. This makes it much easier for the spiders to separate the local information from the global, and it adds more density of local tags to your site. You should then add your business profile to the local directory listings, especially if you are operating significantly on a local scale. If you are very international-focused, this means adding to the listings of major cities that you do business in. Many of these local directories are fee and can help you control the top ten sites listed when your business is queried. To ensure these ten listings are in your favor, acquire some local reviews for positive PR.

As the world of search evolves on both a local and global scale, it is important for businesses who operate at both capacities to separate their strategies and content. This will help boost the rankings in both local and global search. Google has taken the initiative to keep the players of all sizes involved to compete in their own capacity. It is now up to websites to keep up with the SEO of search engines.