Many web sites fail to include their local area in when it comes to marketing their site to the search engines. This is actually a primo place to gain recognition quickly both organically and pay per click. Local SEM is  quite affordable as well.

Where to begin? Here are some simple steps to take for your local SEM strategy:

• Add local phrases into your optimization techniques. If I wanted to offer search engine optimization just in the Orlando market, then I would use phrases such as  Orlando Search Engine Optimization.
• Submit to local sites: directories catered exclusively to the region, local.com, dmoz.org, Yahoo and Google Local all offer free areas to submit to.
• If you are using Pay Per Click, you can geo-target your ads for your area. Almost every Pay Per Click directory out there offers this option now.
• Consider joining local associations such as the Better Business Bureau, Networking Groups and the Chamber of Commerce. Most of them have web sites and will link to you once you have joined giving you nice exposure to your local market and good inbound links.

If your business caters exclusively to a local market, then you must optimize for your region.  Your web site will generally rank faster organically with local phrases rather than some of the more general, highly-competitive phrases.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 31st, 2008 at 6:13 am and is filed under Search Engine Optimization. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.