Local Search: Creating a Buzz Close to Home

Local Search, as its name suggests, is a way for you to search your local business directory or phone book using major search engine technology. People use this as a way of searching for small businesses in the areas where they live. It allows the browser to search for categories of businesses as they search without the bulky telephone directory.

This style of search is becoming more and more popular, as people are using their computers for the news, shopping, and communication. Local search can also help to benefit your company in bringing local people to your web site and having them find out more about you.

The typical way to draw more people to your site through search engines is to rank well on specific keywords. This is brought about by following the guidelines of the different algorithms put in place by each specific search engine. One problem with this method is that while you have placed yourself high on a specific keyword, your competition is doing the same. The higher you place, the greater your chances are for making a sale, but if you are a local hardware store, how can you possibly hope to compete with the web sites of Home Depot or Lowes?

One way of doing this is to have huge amounts of content so that even obscure references are brought out on your page or those with little or no competition. However, the same reason that these terms have low competition is because they are so rare. You would need to research heavily to find the most unique searchable terms to make this effective.

Another way to ease your search engine problem is to optimize your site for the localized search. This can be brought about by several methods. It is similar to placing specific search engine terms on your web site, but you also become altruistic with your optimization. This method is very simple and easy to add onto your site.

Add local business listings and links to your site.
Very few people search for a specific business when browsing the internet, but if you have information on the businesses in your own community, your traffic is liable to add up, which in turn, brings more business to you. It is much easier to add rank to your web site under a company name than it is through a product or service category. For instance, back to our hardware store example: If you have a keyword that is "plumbing supplies", you are going to have a terrible time being linked in the top three pages of your favorite search engine. However, having a link on your web site to the local plumber or electrician (with links back) will accomplish two things. This will give you related links – which you need to gain rank on the search engines (both via vocation relation and through localization), and it will provide you with the opportunity to generate business since your web site link is on their site, as well.

To take advantage of this, you can create your own database of local businesses or purchase one from your chamber of commerce. Another method is to purchase a database from a company and add it to your site. Encourage others small businesses in your community to do the same. As your list grows, you will find that you may end up with thousands of people on your list.

Adding business listings is an easy and affordable way to increase traffic to your local web site. The most important thing is that you can do this yourself and it is a way to introduce your web site to other business owners in your community that may not know you are online. Start off small with businesses that match your own needs. Add your own name and start spiraling outwards to businesses that would use your services.