This document outlines steps for local businesses to establish an online presence and brand for local search optimization. It discusses establishing a foundation by connecting the website to the brand and locations, developing compelling content, amplifying the local brand through local links and citations, adding social media engagement, and building relationships with local influencers. The goal is to complete the local search journey and maximize visibility on search engines like Google for a given local area.
11. The
Most
Cri3cal
Part
of
Your
Journey
Store Locator, KML,
Site Architecture
WEBSITE
LOCATION
Google Places
For Business
Google Plus
Authorship, Publisher
BRAND
Establishing Your Foundation
14. The
Website
<-‐>
Loca3on
Connec3on
Tradi3onal
directory
(at
least
as
an
alterna3ve)
Unique
page
for
each
loca1on
Establishing Your Foundation
15. On-‐Page
Op3miza3on:
Here
are
the
basics.
[[Brand Name Here]] – Portland (SE Hawthorne) – Buy Blue Widgets In-Shop
http://www.bluewidgets.com/shops/us/portland/hawthorne
BLUE WIDGET BRANDING + NAVIGATION
RECEIVE 10% OFF YOUR WIDGET WITH THIS AD
CALL 555-555-5555 AND MENTION THIS AD ([[COUPONNAME]])
Blue Widgets Store –
Hawthorne
2500 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97214
555 555-5555
Branch Manager: John Neville
“Got a great deal on
my blue widget!”
--Kristine Williams from
Gresham
Have you been to our
Hawthorne location?
We love getting feedback!
Tell us about your
experience here
See this location on Google
Maps
Nearest other Portland store
locations:
• Blue Widgets Portland (Gresham)
• Blue Widgets Portland (Jantzen Beach)
• Blue Widgets Beaverton
Establishing Your Foundation
John.neville@bluewidgets.com
Popular widgets carried by this store:
Indigo Widget Baby Blue Widget
Navy Widget
16. Title tag must include +Local
Business Title
URL should be short but
include city name at
minimum
Embedded MyPlaces map
On-‐Page
Op3miza3on:
Here
are
the
basics.
+Local Business Title should
be in H1 tag
[[Brand Name Here]] – Portland (SE Hawthorne) – Buy Blue Widgets In-Shop
Collect feedback; also push
people to prominent local
review sites (Yelp,
Citysearch, G+, etc)
http://www.bluewidgets.com/shops/us/portland/hawthorne
BLUE WIDGET BRANDING + NAVIGATION
Code contact info
schema.org
RECEIVE 10% OFF YOUR WIDGET WITH THIS AD
CALL 555-555-5555 AND MENTION THIS AD ([[COUPONNAME]])
Blue Widgets Store –
Hawthorne
2500 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97214
555 555-5555
Branch Manager: John Neville
“Got a great deal on
my blue widget!”
--Kristine Williams from
Gresham
Have you been to our
Hawthorne location?
We love getting feedback!
Tell us about your
experience here
See this location on Google
Maps
Nearest other Portland store
locations:
• Blue Widgets Portland (Gresham)
• Blue Widgets Portland (Jantzen Beach)
• Blue Widgets Beaverton
Establishing Your Foundation
John.neville@bluewidgets.com
Include nearby locations for
organic linkjuice + stronger
location scent
Popular widgets carried by this store:
Indigo Widget Baby Blue Widget
Navy Widget
64. Link-‐
&
Cita3on-‐building
at
a
Local
Level
• (Hopefully,
an
extension
of
your
share-‐
worthy
content)
• College,
school
discounts
Amplifying Your Brand at a Local Level
65. Linkbuilding
at
a
Local
Level
Amplifying Your Brand at a Local Level
66. Linkbuilding
at
a
Local
Level
Amplifying Your Brand at a Local Level
69. Link-‐
&
Cita3on-‐building
at
a
Local
Level
Some
starter
ideas:
-‐ art/gallery
shows
[photos/videos]
-‐ sports
teams
[photos/videos]
-‐ yearbooks
-‐ student
groups
/
compe33ons
/
journals
-‐ dona3on
drop-‐off
loca3ons
Amplifying Your Brand at a Local Level
74. NO
YES
Competitive analysis
Accepts Facebook login
Send direct link
Syndicates far and wide
Send direct links
A
Smarter
Review
Process
Adding the Social Layer: Pass 1 - Reviews
90. Finding
the
Local
Influencers
site:yelp.com/user_details “.yelp.com” intitle:portland "elite '13" my blog or website twitter.com
Find me:
Yelp Users
Who have taken the time to set up a custom profile
Located in Portland
Likely to be Elite
Who list their Twitter handle
*not foolproof
Building Relationships: The Fun Way
93. Build relationships
Add the social layer
Establish brand <-> location
Amplify your local brand
Develop frontier-worthy content
Establish brand <-> website
Store locator, location pages
YOUR LOCAL SEARCH JOURNEY IS COMPLETE