If you have done in the amount of local search engine optimization, then you likely already know that local search engine optimization is very different from typical search engine optimization. To start, there are a number of factors that are taken into consideration when ranking a website for local keywords, that would not be considered when ranking for other types of keywords. One common mistake that people make, when coming from and SEO background in which the target generalized keywords, when coming over to local search engine optimization, is not knowing these factors are not properly optimizing their website, both on-site and off-site, for the additional factors that will be taken into consideration. A few of the things that need to be taken into account throughout the process in order to ensure that you are taking these additional local factors into account include;
They Check Your Address Against the City Center
The physical location of your store, and addresses going to play a key role when you were looking at ranking for local keywords. Google does not really care where your business is located if you are ranking for the keyword "vintage gym bag," but they are going to care when you are attempting to rank for "Seattle auto mechanic." Remember, the goal of Google this to deliver the highest quality search results to their users as they possibly can, which is one of the reasons why we have seen local search engine optimization change so drastically in recent years. There was a time when almost any website could rank for local terms with city names in them, but a number of changes have been made to improve the search results for users and ensure that when they are looking for an auto mechanic that is located in the Seattle area, the only websites that, for websites for businesses that provide the services.
Area Specific Citations Just As Important As Backlinks
When coming in the local from a more general search engine optimization background, one of the things that you need to take into account is the fact that citations are going to be just as important as back links. Back links in general search engine optimization, are the bread-and-butter, allowing you to rank for the highest quality keywords on the web. However, area specific citations are the bread-and-butter of local SEO. Area specific citations include any time that your business is mentioned, along with your local address, or rather city related keywords. If your business is constantly mentioned alongside Seattle related keywords, you will find it much easier to rank for keywords with the word Seattle in them.
Page Analytics
Also take into account that Google is likely tracking your webpage analytics as well. Especially if you have Google analytics installed on your website. If they have access to information regarding where individuals that visit your website or from, why would they not use it as a parameter? If you are ranking for Seattle related keywords, but 95% of your web traffic is coming from the Dallas area, with that not be a sign that perhaps you are gaming the algorithm in order to rank highly for key terms that you should not? Google has made a real effort to improve the local search for their users in recent years, requiring addresses and phone numbers to rank, and changing a number of factors that lead to the ranking.