geo-marketing vs seo for small business

Geo-Marketing vs Organic SEO

USER BEHAVIOR CHANGES

Most search is now happening on mobile.(1)

1. Google mobile searches now outstrip those from PCs –CNET, May 2015

4 in 5 consumers use search engines to find local information.

They search for: • Store address • Phone number • Business hours • Product availability • Directions

Consumers search with their location and proximity in mind.(2)

2. Understanding Consumers’ Local Search Behavior –Think With Google, May 2014

88% of consumers who search for a local business visit it within 24 hours.(3)

3. Get on that Map: Local SEO Best Practices - George Freitag, Portent, June 2014

Customer search is now mostly mobile and local.

SEARCH ENGINE CHANGES

Google Panda Updates put the focus on very high quality content. This makes organic SEO harder by requiring truly extraordinary content to rank well.

Google Pigeon Update (2014) gave better visibility to Local Directory Sites in Google’s search results. (4)

4. Source: Google’s Pigeon Update Solves Yelp Problem, Boosts Local Directories – Search Engine Land, JULY 2014

Search Engines are now more mobile and local friendly.

THE CHALLENGE FOR ORGANIC SEO

Say there are only 10 competing businesses in your area.

Copyright © Google

There are up to about 18 spots on page one of Google (on Desktop) if you count the organic results and the map pack…

After removing Ads, Map Pack, Knowledge Graph, and very high Page Rank organic results, we may end up with about 8 spots.

Ad

Map Pack

Very High PR

Ad

Map Pack

Very High PR

A

Ma

Ver

But, you obviously want to target the larger metro area to bring in more search traffic. Let’s say there are 5 areas in your metro, so let’s adjust the math:

Copyright © Google

5 area X 10 competing businesses in each = 50

Copyright © Google

50 businesses competing for as little as these 4 spots:

But look closely,

What do you see?

Map Results

(iOS, iPhone 4s)

Map Results

(Android, Galaxy Tab 3)

Map Results

Customer search is now mostly mobile and local.

Search Engines are now more mobile and local friendly.

You must optimize for mobile and local searches.

allydigital.co/free-local-seo

Download the Free DIY Local SEO Checklist

Based on Greg Gifford's article: “Simple Math To Show Potential Clients Why Local SEO Is Important”,

originally published October 13th, 2014 on Search Engine Land