It’s no secret to anyone how important the successful use of search engine optimization strategies is to businesses today. After all, according to a recent study, 93% of all online experiences begin when a web surfer uses their favorite search engine to track down goods, services, or the webpages for other types of content.
What far fewer people realize is that search engine optimization has changed. General SEO no longer has the same punch as it once did, mostly because an increasing number of consumers aren’t just looking for any old business. Instead, web searches today are increasingly targeted at tracking down local businesses, which is why local SEO strategies are so important. If you’re wondering how to best take advantage of these new local SEO strategies (and how not to), simply read on for a brief rundown of the dos and don’ts of local search marketing.
The Dos and Don’ts of Successful Search Engine Optimization Services
- DO Focus on the Basics
- DO Get Your Contact Information Right
- DON’T Overdo It with the Keywords
As Business 2 Community so smartly suggests, the key to effective local SEO strategies isn’t overly complicated. If you stick to the basics, your chances of finding some success are very high, indeed. What are the basics? Start with engaging content that people actually want to read. Remember that as a rule of thumb, you should never publish duplicate content. If you can give web surfers custom content that entertains them, you’ll be golden.
One of the most surprising mistakes businesses make when trying to expand their presence online through local SEO is failing to optimize their contact information from site to site. As Search Engine Journal points out, whether it’s your Google+ page, your professional Facebook profile, or your company website, you need to make sure your company name, address, and phone number appear the same. Any erroneous versions of this information will serve only to pull traffic away from your brand, effectively taking money out of your pocket.
Peppering your blog content, “About” page, and other web copy with popular keywords has long been the best way to draw web surfers to your page. As Search Engine Land writes, however, the last thing you should do is overdo it with the keywords. Only focus on one main keyword in each piece of content, and never go above 3% keyword density in anything you write. If you go outside of these rules, chances are Google, the ruler of 65 to 70% of the search engine market, will not take too kindly to your company.
Do you run a professional marketing firm specializing in SEO services? What are some of the dos and don’ts you’d share with those struggling to use local SEO strategies successfully? Tell us about them in the comments below.
