New Article - 8 Simple Steps To Make A Page More "Local"

[thejenn]

Authored by: Matt McGee

Full Text: http://www.searchengineguide.com/mcgee/008975.html

A Snippet:

We don't know much about the local search algorithms in use at Google, Yahoo!, and MSN. We do know, however, that local SERPs use a different algorithm than the main SERPs – a location-based algorithm. So if you're a small business that relies on local search traffic, it's a good idea to make sure search engine crawlers have a good sense of where you're located.

[earlpearl]

Nice article Matt:

Per Bill Slawski's descriptions of patents, especially for google, (seobythesea.com-look through the local/maps section), and my own experience- its not necessary to get an address on every page. It doesn't hurt or necessarily help. Specifically the google patent on local search references a website with pages on the site that are within 2-5 links of a page with address/location information on it.

I've gotten huge value out of referencing all sorts of towns near my site for my service. I do it and reference for other businesses with some kinds of content. While most of my local type SE traffic comes from 2 states and one city that I optimize for approximately 10-15%/month come from different town/city names with the service. Very effective.

I'm a big believer in getting backlinks as with any site. A local site without much competition doesn't need tons but they definately need them and they help in competing for high rankings against sites like any type of IYP for that service.

The best description I've seen for wide marketing of a local site within the search engines comes from an excerpt of this article for seroundtable by dazzlindonna from the convention in Las Vegas this past November.

Specifically, the comments by Jake Baille (bakedjake) work incredibly well: http://www.seroundtable.com/archives/006710.html.

Of interest with strong link building with anchor text for the industry keywords my business site and some others outrank IYP serps for the many phrases for a business service/town search. Without link building the IYP's outrank the sites.

What a a great savings that is/to be able to avoid IYP costs.

I don't disagree with anything Matt wrote. I'm just adding a few points.

Dave

[earlpearl]

I came across a query in my logs at msn, that used a term I would describe as 3rd, 4th, or 5th best for my business. The search term was for the business term and a particular town where a competitor was located.

Funny, but my site showed first for the phrase in all 3 engines.

The reason, I'm sure is volume of bls and then content expansion that not only includes all of the 2ndary popular phrases for my industry but mention of a lot of towns throughout the web site, including that town.

The competing business doesn't have its address on every page, but neither do we. (and if we did-it wouldn't have been for that town)

As valuable as the advice above from Matt, I'd suggest keyword expansion to include many appropriate 2ndary terms (find them in any keyword tool) and bls with anchor text for the keywords.

It really expands a local business's reach.

Dave