7 replies to this topic

[ann9787]

Hi,

I am ready to launch a new local service related business where I expect to get customers initially exclusively through the website. I have a very good domain name and believe the site is optimized very well. I plan on utilizing Google Places, doing a little PPC in adwords and listing my business with review sites like Yelp. I really need this business to work which I have no doubt will once I am able to appear in the top search results for my business type. It is a very niche business so I don't have tremendous competition.

My question is to all that have experience with local SEO, is there anything I should be doing prior to the site going live that could help my ranking and does anyone know how long it typically takes to see your site on the first page (provided that all important bases are covered)?

My domain name I think will be a great asset - sort of like for people who are looking for widgets in Tampa, my domain name would be widgetsinTampa.com.

I really appreciate any input or advice regarding this. I'm starting to get a little nervous the closer I get the making the site live. Thanks to all in advance.

[Jill]

Do you have a content strategy, as well as a social media one? Are you going to be leveraging 4square and other check-in services? How about a Facebook and Gplus page?

[ann9787]

Do you have a content strategy, as well as a social media one? Are you going to be leveraging 4square and other check-in services? How about a Facebook and Gplus page?

Hi,

My site will have lots and lots of content on it which I plan on updating on a regular basis. As for social media, I plan on having a facebook business page but don't expect that to draw much business to me initially. I wasn't aware that facebook could actually improve your ranking which is what I'm the most concerned about right now. I've been researching local SEO all morning/afternoon now and my head is getting a little dizzy.... Thanks for the tips.

[chrishirst]

improve your ranking which is what I'm the most concerned about right now

Read this (post #2) and this

[Davesplace]

Hi,

I am ready to launch a new local service related business where I expect to get customers initially exclusively through the website. I have a very good domain name and believe the site is optimized very well. I plan on utilizing Google Places, doing a little PPC in adwords and listing my business with review sites like Yelp. I really need this business to work which I have no doubt will once I am able to appear in the top search results for my business type. It is a very niche business so I don't have tremendous competition.

My question is to all that have experience with local SEO, is there anything I should be doing prior to the site going live that could help my ranking and does anyone know how long it typically takes to see your site on the first page (provided that all important bases are covered)?

My domain name I think will be a great asset - sort of like for people who are looking for widgets in Tampa, my domain name would be widgetsinTampa.com.

I really appreciate any input or advice regarding this. I'm starting to get a little nervous the closer I get the making the site live. Thanks to all in advance.

If it is a tight market, make sure you put your city's name in your url, and all over your homepage, title tag, and description tag. Are you using wordpress as your website software? If not, make a blog with wordpress and link it to your main site. Make sure you optimize your Google Places page, that it where you will get most of your traffic. Mobile search is growing everyday, make sure your website is mobile friendly. David

[Lorelle]

Are you using wordpress as your website software? If not, make a blog with wordpress and link it to your main site.

Correct me if I'm wrong (please!) but I've been noticing a lot of people seem to think that using WordPress or blogs or any CMS gives you a special express lane to being indexed more often in Google. It's just not that black and white of course.

Edited by Lorelle, 04 January 2012 - 02:07 AM.

[swirly]

Have you looked into the local keywords? Or area? Promoting your business is one thing but optimising your website for the best and most popular parts of the city might be a completely different issue.
If you’re asking for some SEO techniques then don’t worry their a range of things you can do which are all free and will help boost your rankings for local keywords.

[KirkB]

I'm not sure if anyone has suggested it yet, or if it is just painfully obvious, but get your business listed on Google maps. If local search is your concern, with a listing on Google maps your business should appear right at the top of the search page, with a map to your lcoation. Unless of course there is a lot of competition in Tampa for widgets