A Presentation by Tony Emerson. 1. Basics of local SEO - introductory local search information such as simple definitions and recent data that shows it is becoming more important than ever. 2. Creating a Listing - what’s different about Google, Yahoo, and Bing? Yahoo actually charges you to add photos, whereas Google has the new tags feature. Also, how to create a KML file and geositemap using geositemapgenerator.com. 3. Local Search Rankings Factors - what aspects of your listing, your website, and everywhere else are affecting rankings? Much of this data is from David Mihm’s 2009 study, but our findings for clients of Apogee Results are included. 4. What’s new in Google Places - a list of some of the more pertinent new features of Google Places, releases last week.

1. l o c a l s e o keep austin searchable a p r e s e n t a t i o n b y t o n y e m e r s o n o f a p o g e e r e s u l t s

2. section one b a s i c s o f l o c a l s e o

3. what islocal search? a function of Google, Yahoo, Bing (as well as other search engines and sites) that help users findthings nearby.

4. what islocal seo? here Local SEO is the application of SEO principals to local search. The purpose is to improve your position in searches with local intent. not here

5. why islocal seo important? Local search is increasingly popular Local searchers aremore likely to purchase There’s not enough room in the SERPs for all of us

6. section two c r e a t i n g a l i s t i n g

7. creating a listing google http://google.com/places (need Google account) has the most fields five category fields custom categories custom “additional details” fields validate via mail or phone

8. creating a listing yahoo http://listings.local.yahoo.com(need Yahoo account) custom fields for brand names carried, products/services offered, professional associations, specials primary/secondary, master/subcategory selection allows for separate toll-free number upgrade to enhanced: tagline, photos, business desc. ($9.95/mo.)

9. creatinga listing bing http://ssl.bing.com/listings/ListingCenter.aspx(need Windows Live ID) allows for separate toll-free number URL not required allows six deep links fields for tagline, business description, brands carried, specialties, and affiliations six pre-determined categories (prioritized list)

10. creating a geo sitemap geositemapgenerator.com fill in location and site details download .kml and .xml files to post to web server submit geo sitemap to google webmaster tools

11. section three l o c a l r a n k i n g s f a c t o r s

12. on your listing be close fill out everything reviews matter (ratings don’t?) keywords in title & categories description unique phone number + local area code

13. on your website full address(es) and maps unique page for each location local area code geo in title tag geo and/or keyword in url traditional factors (pagerank) kml, hCard

14. Citysearch.com Superpages.com Insiderpages.com Merchantcircle.com Yelp.com Yellowpages.com Brownbook.com Local.botw.org web onthe citations (non-link references) local links local authority sites off-listing reviews sign up everywhere find citations from the winners

15. section four t h e n e w g o o g l e p l a c e s

16. favorite places awarded to the most popular local businesses based on clicks, driving directions, and other actions get additional traffic from google, encourage review austin is one of the test markets to apply: http://www.google.com/help/maps/favoriteplaces/business/index.html

17. service areas only for delivery, home service, etc. may be possible to game this system, but it’s recommended only for businesses that serve customers at their homes or offices can now omit business address can set service area by distance from a center point or on a zip-by-zip or city-by-city basis

18. tags a new way to pay google ($15/mo.) seems to have an effect on local search, at least with reviving merged listings choose to highlight directions, your Google Places coupon, photos, videos, or your website website link: followed but redirected

19. in summation with mobile explosion, local seois morepopular – and driving more sales – than ever keep rankings factors in mind when creating listings, but don’t go so far as to be spammy sign up everywhere and fill out everything: get listed in google, yahoo, bing, and every local site/blog/directory imaginable watch competition for citations opportunities rankings factors and paid programs are still changing

20. @apogeeresults www.apogeeresults.com info@apogeeresults.com @asemerson anthony.emerson@apogeeresults.com