SEO - Local SEO For Small Business - The First Steps

Many small business owners are too busy to optimize their site for local website traffic. The bad news for these owners is that on-page local SEO optimization is very important and should not be ignored if you want to capture local search traffic. Hiring a local SEO consultant is advisable. On the other hand, the good news is that in one or two hours a site owner can include their site in six search-related directories that can help increase traffic and help network with potential customers. It is understandable if small business sites have not focused on local SEO as their business has grown, but now is the time for these sites to start their local SEO campaign. Start here:

1. Foursquare - A mobile-based social application. Check to see if your business is already in Foursquare and if not add it to their database to allow mobile searchers to more easily find your business. Offer promotions for check-ins and reviews.

2. Gowalla - A direct competitor of Foursquare, make sure to add your business to Gowalla and encourage user check-ins and reviews.

3. Google Places - Add your business to Google's business directory and Google Maps if it is not already listed. Use appropriate keywords when describing your business and make sure that you target your geographic service area in your listing.

4. Yahoo Local - Sign up for either a basic or enhanced listing with the ability to edit your business profile and add photos and relevant information.

5. Microsoft - Add your business to the Bing search engine. Optimize your listing with keywords and photos.

6. Yelp - User generated reviews and recommendation of local companies. Claim your business on Yelp and add promotions, photos, and keywords to your business listing.

The above steps are the easiest things you can do to start your local SEO campaign. As your web presence grows in your local market, integrating local SEO into your on-page elements, social networking, and content will be your next steps.

Source: Ezine

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