Local Keyword Targetting

[kingfish]

I'm working on a project to get seo for local results for a local service business. The city that the business is in has the same name as another city in another state with the same name that is also quite bigger so just doing "city service" isn't as specific as needed I believe.

I do think however that google uses geo ip to know that the searcher is probably looking for their version of the city so it shows the correct items in google maps businesses results but I'm not sure it will for other search results.

Does anyone have any experience with something related to this. Specifically I'd also like to figure out the best keyword to target for my city location. Is there a version of the google tool that focuses more locally? Also this is primarily for seo since targeting paid traffic is much easier.

For example can I figure out which of these is more popular locally or should I just assume it's the higher trafficed one.

city + service kw 1
city + service kw 2

Also does anyone have tips on taking over the serps within the google maps business results.

Thanks slingas

 

[Nefig]

You need 2 tools: Google's Traffic Estimator and Google's Adwords Preview tool to do ALL your research. Use them;

...And yeah - take my advice - you don't want to mess with Google Maps anymore. They're anal (people at Google) and will shut you down as soon as they smell your fake profiles and attempts to stuff their local results with fake addresses etc. I speak from the experience of handling hundreds of legit companies, and it's pain... Even though they're all legit, real businesses, those fucks at GOogle shut down accounts and terminate listings like they have nothing better to do. They love cleaning out suspicious-looking local listings and you can't do shit to prove they're legit and real.. What you can do though is register a bunch of companies to same address with diff. phones and change suite # on the addresses so you get the mail to the same office but GOogle actually thinks that addresses are different. But count me on this one: they will catch you and do it sooner rather than later. So be careful whatever you do, don't work from one IP, spread your listings between diff. accounts and don't even think of using your Adwords acct for that. Register totally clean, new Google accounts otherwise you risk getting your whole Google acct. banned and they won't even tell you why or send one lousy email.
Consider yrself warned and good luck

 

[leadicious]

I've done that so many times. The problem, there is VERY little volume. Even if you rank for high profile city name. Getting even 500 clicks per day using this approach is tough.

You should use adwords using generic keywords and target his county (without geo keywords), you can submit/buy listings from other local directories showing up on google (yelp, yellowpages.com, yp.com, etc).

Anyway, keywords you should target:
- zip code + city
- neighborhood names
- business names in his area (from yellowpages..You will be surprised how powerful is that..)
- generic keywords (with campaign geo targeting)

If you are going through the painful approach (seo), you have to fetch local news, weather, etc for each geo to create a page worth indexing. You can also download CENSUS data and add it. But Paid traffic approach going to be more fruitful and much faster


Good luck
Leadicious

 

[Nefig]

..there's also automated Social bookmarking/directory submission tools, if done right, you can dominate first page of G for given local keywords if you really want it and then link from those "social profiles" to the main domain name.

Then promote the same way those social profiles to get link juice to them; sooner than later local listing will jump to the top position; Also make sure users write keyword-stuffed reviews and that's it, you own 1st page with map listings as well as social profiles...

Because PPC can be tough: in many parkets 1st page bids are insane, like 20 bucks/click for locksmiths, plumbers, etc - bidding wars can get crazy in local markets.

Leadicious - good tips. Too bad most (small) businesses have not a clue and often insist on "being number one for [industry name]" and don't give 2 shits about anything else..

 

[OpticalOut22]

Here is what I know about local SEO and local google results.
-I would make sure you have an address in the standard format on the about or contact page of your local business site.
-I would also probably put geo tags (don't know if they help, but can't hurt)
-You should still be able to list your business multiple times. I would use their phone number and find a way (maybe you can access their phone directly for awhile) to verify the listings. After that you will probably have to do the post card option.
-Make sure you use the keyword in the title of the business listing
-But most local listings aren't hard to tackle. Just a specific page for the term, some backlinks, and some patience.