* Local

[KeithO]

My company deals primarily with local companies for web design and SEO work. As a result, I've started getting my clients registered for the local search results through Google. Does anybody believe this is an effective front to battle in or is it just a marketing ploy like the local news?

[cspelts]

a marketing ploy like the local news?

Are you referring to Google News? Because we get a lot of traffic from that - I run two local newspaper sites.

I'm not sure how popular local search is at this point - but I would hate to not be in it if I had a local business! Especially since it's so easy to register.

[wrmineo]

Google Local is still beta, but I certainly see no harm in getting businesses to sign up and register. For that matter, I'd say you'd be silly not to get in on the front end. Good move Keith.

[KeithO]

a marketing ploy like the local news?

Are you referring to Google News? Because we get a lot of traffic from that - I run two local newspaper sites.

I'm not sure how popular local search is at this point - but I would hate to not be in it if I had a local business! Especially since it's so easy to register.

I was refering to the 5-6:30pm local news in contrast to the 6:30 national news.

Google Local is still beta, but I certainly see no harm in getting businesses to sign up and register. For that matter, I'd say you'd be silly not to get in on the front end. Good move Keith.

Thats pretty much what I figured. Thanks.

[greeneagle]

Always include local geographical terms in all Titles, metas and text for locally endeavored clients!

If you don't, it's no "venial" sin! - It's a "cardinal" oversight!

Ken

[KeithO]

Thankfully someone over at a certain green-mountain-referencing-seo-teaching site taught me that before. ;)

[incrediblehelp]

Dont forget to submit to Yahoo local as well:

http://listings.local.yahoo.com/account/

I think MSN still uses a local direcotry browse format still.

As the future of the search algo gets more and more personalized, you have to think local info like this will come more into play.

[wrmineo]

If you don't, it's no "venial" sin! - It's a "cardinal" oversight!

As the future of the search algo gets more and more personalized, you have to think local info like this will come more into play.

Awesome points, if not omens ... more over, I think Internet users in general are getting more savvy at searching; the web is so cluttered with billions of pages, surfers are getting better at more pointed, descriptive search terms to narrow the number of results. Also, if I'm looking for a web designer and I'm a complete novice, I'm likely to be looking for one in my own backyard so I can feel more connected and in control - for one example.

I do some SES/SEO for some real estate clients and always go Ken's route of ensuring that the geo-specifics are in the main components like title, description, keywords, content and url structure when available.

[cspelts]

Dont forget to submit to Yahoo local as well:

http://listings.local.yahoo.com/account/

I just found something interesting - for $9.95 a month, you can get an Enhanced Listing which includes the following benefit:
"Your company tagline will appear in natural search results."

I happen to like the descriptions they currently pull for my sites from the Yahoo Directory - but if yours isn't descriptive, it sounds like for $9.95 a month, you can now write it yourself.

[incrediblehelp]

well $10 a month is kind of steep, unless it really helps your overall SERP's for a couple of targeted keywords in Yahoo.