Local SEO

This blog was first published on Freelance Copywriter's Blog. Read on to discover the mistakes made when doing keyword research to make sure you don't fall into the same traps. When you start working on your SEO strategy, the most important decision you’ll have to make is what keywords you will target. The decisions you make will determine how effective your overall strategy is, which is why it is so important you get it right. But time and time again, mistakes are made that cause frustration because the desired results are not seen. The main thing to remember is that the keywords with the highest number of searches aren’t necessarily the best ones to target.   Mistake #1  The first mistake people make is going for glory – or at least the keyword that generates the most traffic. The problem is the competition for these words is very hot. The problem with that is if you’re ...

Search engine optimisation doesn't have to be scary. Despite the claims of some, anyone can make simple SEO checks on their website that will make a difference to their rankings. Of course, you must have a strategy in place (and stick to it) if you want to be really successful. So, if you're ready, let's get to it with check number 1. 1. Design For most companies (yes, you too), the look of their site is everything. They invest vast amounts of money on the design of their site because they want it to look 'nice'. Well looking nice is all well and good, but if it doesn't appear in the search results no one is going to see it. Custom built websites are great if you work with a team that are as good with SEO as they are with their creativity (a rare combination). Whether you like them or not, template websites tend ...

Keywords are the holy grail of online marketing and search engine optimisation. They are what stand between your website being relegated to being an expensive electronic brochure that no one ever sees, or being top of the search results in full technicolour glory. So, if you want to be 'top of the websites', you need to do some serious research.   Keyword research   Most people understand they have to target the keywords that their customers use to search for their products and services rather than the ones they think they use. And that means taking the time to do some serious research. But that doesn't stop some people going for very generic words. If you want to stand a chance of ranking for your keywords (and don't happen to have a multi million pound marketing budget), you must produce a list of keywords that are very specific. So if you ...

  What should come first? Your website or your keyword research. Unlike the chicken and the egg conundrum, this one is easy to answer – your keyword research should always come first. Researching your keywords (not guessing) is vital if you are going to get the most out of your web presence. The words you target will have a big effect on your website’s structure, which is why it’s vital you do it before thinking about your design. It’s not until you have your keywords that you can:   Create your SEO Copywriting Plan your anchor text link building strategy Decide on your site’s navigation Create your title tags Decide on your URLs Write your META Descriptions What keywords do you choose? Choosing the right keywords/phrases is paramount, so here are a few tips on making sure you find the right ones. 1. Open your mind First up, you’re ...

  You’ve worked so hard with your search engine optimisation strategy. All that blogging, article writing and, SEO copywriting and, rather expensive, SEO tweaks to your website structure have finally paid off. Proudly, you show everyone your website on the front page of Google for your chosen keyword. Fantastic, but before you head off to the pub to celebrate, there is a wee problem. Yes, your website is ranking superbly, but your analytics (and inbox) are showing that you have no traffic. Is that right? Can you really have a well ranking website, but not have any traffic? What’s gone wrong? Yes, it is possible for this to happen and it’s more than likely due to one of these reasons: You’re not really ranking at all Your keywords aren’t delivering (because you’re targeting the wrong ones) You’re simply not attracting the all important click Those ...

    Does this look familiar? This is the Google 10 box that appears at the top of your search results. It shows 10 local businesses that relate directly to your search term (so in this case it is builders). Ever wondered how companies get listed here? Or haven’t you given it much thought because you thought it was bound to be expensive? Well here’s a news flash for you – your Google Local listing is free. If this is old news to you and you’ve already claimed yours, well done you’ve taken the first step to boost your online visibility. But how are you using it? Have you just claimed it and left it at that? This listing is a great free ...

  Sally Ormond, freelance copywriter, comments on Kieron Hughes’ post “Using YouTube as a keyword research tool for SEO” that appeared on SEOMOZ.org When talking keyword research, most people think about what they’re selling (products and services) and probably their geographical location. For many people, the primary tool used is the Google Adwords Keyword Tool. But there is another, frequently overlooked possibility. YouTube. Yes, you would normally associate YouTube with hours of entertaining videos (and some not so entertaining) but it can also be used as an effective keyword research tool. I first came across this idea when I discovered a post on SEOMOZ.org ...

The SEO Low Down Google is constantly changing. It loves to keep internet marketers on their toes by changing the goal posts every so often. One of the most recent changes that you’re bound to have noticed is the introduction of Google Instant Preview. Now, when you enter a search term in the Google search box, each of your results will have a little magnifying glass next to it. Designed to help you search smarter, by clicking on the magnifying glass you bring up a preview of the web site so you can see in an instant whether it’s going to be of interest to you. So now, rather than having to open a site, scan it, realise it’s not for you, hit the back browser and start all over again – you can scan the results without leaving the page to ...

    If you’re into search engine optimisation the chances are you’re also a keen article marketer as it’s one of the most effective ways of boosting your web presence. Not only will it help you ‘own more of the web’, it will also position yourself as an expert in your field and generate those all important back links to your website. But your article marketing will only be effective it if is quality content that you’re putting out. It must be: Well written Written to addresses the needs of your readers Something that gives value ...

  You’ve done your keyword research, you’ve designed your website so it’s easy for your readers to navigate, you’ve even found an SEO copywriter to write some great, targeted copy that your visitors will want to read. So what’s next? That is just the start of your search engine optimisation strategy, if you want it to continue to work and bring in great rankings you’re going to have to become an active link builder. How do links help? Let’s go back to the beginning. Every web page is given a Page Rank (a number ranging from 0 to 10 to illustrate your page’s value with 0 being the lowest). ...

  Search engine optimisation – three words that can fill any internet marketer with dread. If you opt for the PPC (pay per click) route, you may see faster results but you’ll also experience the high price tag that tends to come with it. SEO may be slower but it’s a more economical long term solution. To get an SEO strategy that works, you’ll need 3 things: An SEO friendly website that is easy to navigate (for the reader and search engine spiders) Great content written by a professional SEO Copywriter Back links Yes, I know what ...

  Every business with a website is after good Google rankings. With more and more people turning to the internet for goods and services, you’ve got to be listed if you want to be found. Which means your listing has to be on the front page. The copy on your website has to contribute to getting great rankings and it has to be interesting and relevant to your reader. That’s a tough combination to achieve which is why it is vital your business invests in the services of a good SEO Copywriter who really knows what they are doing. SEO Cheatsheet If you are ...

  The days on the Yellow Pages and Business Pages are fast diminishing. More people today turn to the search engines to find local service providers and products. Therefore getting to grips with local search has never been so important. How geared up it your website and online marketing activities up for local searches? The best way to make the most of your local search potential is to own as much of the web as possible.   Boosting your online presence One of the best ways to boost your profile online is to increase the number of web pages you have. That doesn’t mean to say you ...

  Search engine optimisation – love it or hate it, it’s here to stay so you’d better get to grips with it. Before you ask, no I wouldn’t call myself an SEO expert. So why am I writing this post about it? Well, I am a pretty good SEO Copywriter – what makes me so sure? Well my own site is on the front page of Google for the term copywriter which is very competitive (getting on for 7 million search results) as well as several of my other keywords. Plus a number of my clients are also enjoying front page rankings. If you think writing SEO content is ...

  If you are a business owner looking to get into online marketing and, in particular, search engine optimisation, don’t forget to think local. More and more people are searching for local companies through the search engines so it’s never been more important to ensure you have a strong local SEO presence on the web. Many companies concentrate their SEO efforts on fairly generic terms that relate to their products and services but forget about their geographical details. With the advent of increased and improved mobile search, it is vital you stand out in your local area. And the best way to do that is by utilising ...