Location-based Internet marketing is one of the hottest trends at the moment and can be used very effectively by both small and larger businesses
Local or Geo-Targeted SEO is the simple process of informing the search engines to index your web site by your geographic location. This helps you to communicate your location to the search engines and potential customers. This is quite an overlooked aspect of Search Engine Optimisation today. If your market is local, always mention your location in everything that you do on your website and off -web site.
In one of the posts, ‘Location-Based Internet Marketing is the Future’ we highlighted that Location based internet marketing is a key factor in today’s business market. Search engines such as Google, Yahoo or Bing are already using location features as to help narrow down the results to the searcher’s country. They are looking to localise Web searching to make it more relevant for the searcher and draw more regional advertising. We wrote about the importance of location based internet marketing in our post ‘advantages of location based internet marketing’, which explained strategies to capture your local audience.
To build on this further, Google listing is an example of this location based marketing.Search Engine Marketing is changing for business/customer needs. With this feature there is a focus on the specific localised area of the business. We can see how useful this will be to a business because it targets the local community. Google local listing has become of major important in Search Engine Marketing.
For businesses it is useful to know how to optimise the business listings because as a business it is vital to market to products and services accordingly i.e. addressing community needs. By making use of this service it is a good form of search engine marketing.
How to optimise your listing
To begin optimising your listing you have to verify your business ownership. Once that is completed, the Google Local Business Centre will send you a pin to your mobile phone or via post as part of the verification process. Once you have received your pin you will need to enter it under your account details in the Local Business Centre.
After your website has been confirmed your listing will go live, giving you the opportunity to edit and update it. You will need to register a Google account before you do this but you can get started here: Google.co.uk/LocalBusinessCentre.
Tips on registering your account
* Complete the form entirely- Businesses that complete the form entirely are given preference. These include the payment types you accept, opening / closing times and the inclusion of images / video
* Detailed description of business- There is a 200 word limit for this part of the form and you are advised to be as detailed as possible. This includes at least one of your keywords.
* Include business categories- Try to give at least 5 relevant categories to assist your business in appearing in search results
* Include your business address and telephone number- Try to provide a local number.
Targeting Specific Countries with SEO Marketing
Search Engine Marketing means that you can target a vast audience a way of getting exposure for any website by using the right search engine marketing strategies.
Google and Geo-Targeting
Google is able to provide useful search results because it maintains the ability to be relevant. When a searcher goes to Google they know the results provided will be accurate and useful, this is down to their complex algorithm which is a closely guarded secret. However Google also recognises your global position, and it generates search results that are from your area to ensure that things more relevant. Because of this it’s important that you cover of all bases when targeting a specific location.
Domain Extension
An important factor in explaining where you are based is your domain extension, .co.uk for the UK, .fr for France, .es for Spain etc. I’m not saying it’s impossible to achieve good results with a cross matched domain but the associated one will always have more power in that country.
Hosting
Another key feature is your website hosting location; this should again be based in the country you want to target. If you are hosted in that country then the IP address of the server will be recognised and this provides Google search engines with further information and conclusiveness that you are based in that area.
Language
As simple as it sounds it’s important to use the primary language used in that country for all your copy. If the primary language is German then the search query is likely to be in German, therefore your keywords and copy should also be in German.
Follow these techniques and you will give your site the best possible chance of good rankings in the country you desire.
Benefit of this targeted and affordable internet marketing strategy is that it allows you to narrow the search parameters in search engines to better define your customer base which will increase your Returns on Investments.We will look forward to hear your ideas and experience of using Geo targeting strategy for you business.
About the Author:
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