Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

This is a problem that I often see small businesses struggle with.  They want first page Google rank for broad keywords such as "carpet cleaning".  The question is, does this make sense? In this case no - its likely the small business sells carpet cleaning services in specific area -- not carpet cleaning worldwice -- unless they are Stanley Steamer.  It would then really make sense for this smal business to focus on local SEO - showing up for local keywords.  So the question is then, should all small businesses focus on local SEO?

Yes and no...  It really depends where you sell.  If you sell or provide services in a local area, then webtraffic from outside that area is fairly useless.  If you sell online, then broader reach is better.  Its really about your geographic niche.

What do you think?

Here's an article talking more about the subject : SEO Decisions - Local vs. Global SEO

The answer lies in how the business' target market performs a search. Eventhough local customer should search using a local parameter... I wonder how many people actually make that a practice?

So ideally, a high ranking for the generic term AND the local parameter would be best.

In practice however, it is reasonable and appropriate to focus SEO efforts on targeting keywords with a local parameter.

~Roland

I think the way Google has integrated local search into results really makes it imperative that small businesses optimize for local search...not necessarily all, but services and localized businesses definitely.

I mean, you may never rank #1 for "carpet cleaning" but if you make sure your site is listed in Google Local, there is a good chance that it will show up in the search results for those people who are searching carpet cleaning in your area.

I do think that you have to be optimize for both, but in optimizing for local, you are also optimizing your site as a whole.  I have had a number of clients who also created location-specific landing pages to make sure that they would be found if/when someone searched a particular area. Location-specific searches aren't huge but I think they will continue to grow.

I think, it really depends on your business. As a web design company, I do business globally, but in marketing, its better to concentrate on a 100 mile radius of my office first. You can gain trust with those clients because hey feel that they can see, feel, and touch you.

If your a dentist, why would you want a global SEO when you will get people probably within a 50 mile radius? Most searches for services with go like "Atlanta Dentist" or "Atlanta Web Designer" or Landscapers in Atlanta, GA"

If your looking for a dry cleaner you won't just want any dry cleaner, you want the one up the block. And as most people don't use the yellow pages, local searches have increased dramatically.

Being a small business myself I've discovered having both local and long distance business is a good idea. It helps get larger amounts of business, but this is only if your business can do it. It varys on your business type and if you can do long distance business deals.

I think you are correct small business servring locally will not get anything from worldwide traffic. but for local business promotion seo will not be the best keyword rather putting backlinks in relavant pages like those areawise classfied sites and google-map for local business search would work better

But don't most people include location data, either zip code or city and state when they are looking for local business? If I am looking for carpet cleaning, I want someone who clean them in my house. Since Google is already optimized to deliver local results I would think that local business should optimize their site for local SEO.

For local SEO, one tried and true web site promotion idea is banner exchanges.  can contact other web sites involved with the same target market and ask to exchange banners on each other’s web sites or sign up at a banner exchange portal.

Absolutely! Optimizing for Google local search is key for a small and local business. You can have a strong local following as people like to think locally. This one is a no brainer. The key is to be strong for both your niche and your area. A strong local area business would be listed in all the appropriate directories, is yours?

Of course you would want to focus on local SEO if you are a location based company or service. Just like if you cater to a national or international market then you would want to market accordingly. Many small businesses are just now starting to figure out the importance of local SEO. I have worked with local companies that have increased their earnings 15-30% just by ranking high on the first page with their website when they were unranked before.