1. Google Adwords – Local targeting
- Example: Plumbing, Plumbers

Targeting broad keywords using local targeting is a great strategy. Clicks are cheaper, and you the cityname is displayed below your listing.
Try this tool for combining your keywords

2. Google Adwords – Local phrases
Example: Brooklyn Plumbing, Brooklyn Plumbers.
This strategy will catch folks from out of town searching for local providers out of their area (perhaps for a friend, family member, or visit to that location).

3. Get a free listing at Superpages
It’s tough to beat free.

4. Create a listing in the major “backfill” local directories – InfoUsa and Axiom
These two providers power a large majority of the local directories throughout the web. Even if your listing is less than optimal, you may want to consider changing it by adding in a keyword or two if possible. Here’s a bit of info on changing an Axiom listing.

5. Google adwords – zip code phrases
Use this tool to combine your phrases with your zip codes 11201+ keywords

6. Have a contact us page
Pictures of your physical location adds a lot of credibility for someone considering contacting you online.

7. SEO tip – have your address and phone number on the bottom of every page
Show folks where you are at. Having your address, city, state, zip, and phone number (with local area code) is going to add relevance to your site for being in that local area.

8. SEO tip – Use your keywords in your internal anchor text
“Mario and Luigi’s Plumbing – Plumbing in Brooklyn, NY 11201″ vs. HOME – which do you think will help you more?

9. SEO tip – Get a few links
Brooklyn + “add website” , Plumber + “submit site” or combine a list of good searches with your keywords with this combination tool

10. Have a sense of humor!
Okay – maybe this is a stretch for search related, but it’s definitely conversion and customer service related. It’s amazing how often this gets understated. People enjoy buying from providers that brighten their day. Give a little joke or two. Speak like a human. Speak to your customers instead of the old I’m soooooo professional brochureware website attitude.

11. Show your knowledge of the area
This will help with both incorporating other phrases commonly associated with your area, and show your potential customers that you care about your area. Talk about local landmarks, any community involvement, or anything else that reflects that you’ve been in the area a long time and plan to be for a long time to come.

Get Local Links: When you join your local Chamber of Commerce you usually get a link on their directory. This is true for big cities like Greater New York City Chamber of Commerce, Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. In addition to getting a link this helps establish your link neighborhood and your relevancy for that geographic area.

Reference Local Landmarks: Are you located a few blocks from the Empire State Building, mention that on your website. Located near Belmont Racetrack, Yankee Stadium, or the Long Island Duck make sure you tell everyone. People shop, eat, drink, and browse around landmarks. Take advantage of people who search for extra places to visit.

Airports: One of the most common uses for local search is looking for businesses or services when you’re travel ling. If you’re reasonably close to John F. Kennedy Airport, LaGuardia Airport or Macarther Airport mention it. Also be sure to use the designated airport abbreviations like JFK, LGA, and ISP on your site as well.

Location, Location Location: Do you have more than one location, if one is in Brooklyn and the other is in Long Island create a separate page for both, for two locations in downtown Manhattan one page is fine. Don’t be afraid to put up a picture of your physical store so customers who visit you on the web first know what to look for. Keep your picture current, if you changed that maroon awning 5 years ago update your picture.

Telephone Information: As the cost for long distance service continues to drop many business invest in toll free 800, 888, or 877 numbers. However people still use search engines with local area codes like 212, 917, 718, and 516. Be sure to list both numbers on your pages. You can put your toll free number in a highly visible location on your masthead, then put your local number in the footer area of every page.

Register with the Local Search Engines: Make sure your business is listed in Google Local and Yahoo Local . Not only are they both free but Google registering in Google can get you map listing in standard Google searches.

Advertising: Take advantage of low cost advertising options like “Featured Listings” at Yahoo. You can get listed for as little as $25 a month. If you offer coupons get involved in the Google Coupons Program it’s free and a great way to attract new customers and get new leads.

Press Releases: If you’re using a press release for your local business be sure to mention the location that’s important to you. Include the borough like Manhattan, Queens, or Brooklyn and the local town like Jamaica Estates or Prospect Park .

Use Local Names and Terms: People who are visiting might search for Bedford Stuyvesant, Greenwich Village, or South Hampton. Locals use “Bed Sty”, “the Village”, and “the Hamptons”, so don’t miss out on reaching new regular customers you could be missing.

Regional Directories: Many of the larger directories like Yahoo or BOTW have regional categories for cities like Manhattan. Getting listed in a regional section is great way to help the search engines figure out that you are relevant for a particular area. Don’t be afraid of smaller more regional directories for places like Long Island which will also help drive traffic.

Mobile Search: While mobile search is a very new and very small market, it’s something to watch closely. As phone interfaces improve and become more user friendly and teens who are attached to their phones mature into credit card carrying consumers, utilization rates will increase at a rapid pace.

Tags: local+search, search+engine+marketing, seo, seo+class, seoclass