If you run a local business and have decided to invest in a better online presence by starting a website, you should know from the start that the use of on-page SEO techniques may not be enough. Even though factors such as the quality of content and use of keywords are important for helping search engines to better detect your presence on the web, in competitive markets, it can take more effort to boost your site in the first page of search engine results. The following information includes some useful advice on this matter, based on the three optimization pillars: profiles, citation and reviews.
1. Build a Strong Profile for Your Business
Establishing profile authority will undoubtedly boost your website in search engines, especially with the latest changes in the algorithm used by Google for raking pages. In order to help you, Google has come up with a document explaining the best practices for SEO from the company’s perspective. This guide is available at here and is a great way to get started.
Another useful resource that you can employ in the process is Get Listed. This tool will assess the online presence of your business, and will tell you if your potential clients can find you easily enough. Other suggestions that you can consider in terms of your business’s profile are the following:
- Focus on more than one search engine. The market share of Bing and Yahoo, for example, is not to be ignored.
- All descriptions and contact information for your business should be thorough and clear and if enough space is provided, a compelling reason to choose your business.
- Upload photos of your business to the Google Places website. In addition, YouTube videos of testimonials or walk-throughs can also make a difference.
- Make use of QR codes, and definitely include the real address of your business, you typically don’t want to use a PO Box or a virtual address.
2. Reviews – Getting Feedback from Your Customers
The second pillar of SEO is reviews. In this regard, it is important that you invest in the implementation of a good Review Funnel for your business, and encourage your clients to use it. In addition, you should train your employees to always look for positive feedback that has been posted online from customers, and to promote it on your own page.
If possible and appropriate, link the names of your reviewers to their social network profiles—ideally, their LinkedIn accounts, for a more professional image. This will provide authenticity for the feedback, and will make it look less like a spam message.
3. Citations
Last but not least, it is crucial that you acquire citations from trusted sources if you want better exposure for your business. Some of the most popular sources you can consider in this matter are the following:
- Newspapers and business magazines (especially local ones, if you own a local company)
- Yelp, infoUSA, InsiderPages, Citysearch and other valuable online resources
- Annual reports, governmental websites and public sources in general
- Review websites and services that are used for providing data about different businesses
- Services in direct connection with search engines (Google Places, Yahoo Local, etc.)
Focus on these three strategies and you will no doubt be able to extend your online reach and be able to get in front of your target customers at a greater rate.