At Pubcon 2014 in Las Vegas, the SEJ team had the opportunity to catch up with three experts on local search.
Below, you will find videos featuring Brent Csutoras interviewing Brian Lafrance from Authority Labs, John Rampton interviewing Kris Jones of LSEO.com, and Kelsey Jones interviewing Mary Bowling of Ignitor Digital.
Each of these experts provides actionable tips that businesses can use to rank well in local search results.
### Tools For Improving Local Search: An Interview with Brian LaFrance
### Organic Local SEO & Understanding Google Pigeon: An Interview with Mary Bowling of Ignitor Digital
### How Small Businesses Can Increase Their Google Rankings: An Interview With Kris Jones
#### Highlights from Each Video:
– A search in one area can differ significantly from a search in another area, which is something people should pay more attention to.
– In a given search, you could get 5-6 local results on the front page, not even including the Google local pack.
– If you want to rank in a specific location where you’re not currently doing well, create content specific to that location. Engage in local online communities, like forums or subreddits, and become an authority within that location.
– The more the name of your company is mentioned alongside the location you’re targeting, the better your chances of improving search visibility for that location.
– Small businesses often struggle with local SEO because they’re not used to outsourcing, and most agencies charge small businesses too much.
– For those uncomfortable with outsourcing, many great resources are available for self-education.
– SEO may seem like a complex pseudoscience to small business owners, but understanding Google’s ranking factors reveals a practical side.
– Once small business owners identify the ranking factors and necessary steps, they can better control their online marketing.
– With the importance of Google+ Local, businesses should treat their Google+ business page with as much priority as their website.
– Another focus for small businesses should be getting more online reviews, a primary ranking factor for local SEO.
– Google’s new local search algorithm, nicknamed “Pigeon,” aims to serve results based on the searcher’s proximity.
– Small businesses should focus more on organic SEO than paid search to please the Pigeon ranking signal and aim to get more local links pointing to their site.
– To rank well in local search, think about marketing your business in the local community as if the Internet didn’t exist, which will indirectly lead to website links.
– Directories are incredibly important for local SEO. Identify the directories that rank for your desired terms and ensure your business is listed in them.
For more video interviews, please visit SEJ’s YouTube page.
