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Local optimization in search engines is a technique by which a website can gain visibility and be indexed by the search engines which, ultimately, will result in higher rankings on the search results page.

With the help of various local SEO strategies, a website can gain a natural listing for several keywords. These keywords are meant to be listed in specific geographical locations and should show up on the initial search result pages.

Benefits of Local SEO
Local SEO packages are affordable with results that are guaranteed. Constant updates and communication is provided to clients through images, messages and tracking of the production.

It is a platform for tracking phone calls, recording calls and integration with Google Analytics.

Advanced level reporting and analytics integrate with Google Analytics to calculate and create conversions.

Various local SEO services start with gathering information and discussing it with clients on an initial basis. After that, various SEO strategies come into play such as:

• Optimizing the custom made website;
• Analysis and research on relevant keywords;
• Optimization and submission in Google Places;
• Submission in search engines;
• Management of submissions in a web directory;
• Submission of customer reviews;
• Social media bookmarking;
• Optimization and marketing through podcasting;
• Building of organic links.

There are various ways by which the local SEO can be performed on a website in order to raise the search engine rankings and gain a high visibility on the search results page. They are:

A Website Should be Submitted to the Search Engines
This is the easiest source of conducting local SEO. Submitting a website to the highly popular search engines like Bing and Google could increase the chances of web visibility to a great extent. In addition, some local search engines could be used for submitting your website such as Kvasir in the case of Norway’s citizens, Baidu for the Chinese and Yandex for people living in Russia.

Create a User Friendly Website
Meta data needs to be accurate and the website should be built in a manner which follows guidelines from Google Webmaster. Too many keywords use should be avoided in so that the descriptions as well as the titles come in a natural flow. The best way is to scan keywords used on your competitors’ site.

Google Analytics Should be Implemented
It is the best free tool available on the web with the help of which web traffic can be tracked after the code is made live. The complete data covers the exact number of web visitors, their browsing time, their location and the source from where they arrived.

Google+ Local Business Page Must Be Built
Most people search for business locations of their interest on the web. By having a Google+ Local page, one can add the business and website information to the Google directory which then manages the offers, videos, photos, details and product or service descriptions that are uploaded by you gradually.

Social Profile Plays a Pivotal Role
A social networking profile should be created on highly popular social media platforms like Foursquare, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and many more for getting links which are trustworthy and which helps to gain useful conversions.

Google Adwords Should be Put Into Play
By associating with Google Adwords, you can set highly relevant keywords so as to be on top priority in the Google search engine. Every time your ad gets clicked you pay Google. This will help you to reach your target audience and since you will be on top priority on Google, your branding will vastly improve.

Listings Should be Done Locally Using Directories
Get your website listed on directories which are local for getting huge traffic through relevant inbound links. Most of these directories are free and they let you increase the number of potential customers to visit over and over again. Some of the web directories which you can use are SmileLocal, Scoot, Yell, HotFrog, Qykpe, Yahoo and Bing.

There Should Be Community Involvement
Create local forums and let users participate in it. This will help to build a bridge between the forum owners and the users with whom active communication takes place.

Accessibility of Mobile SEO Should be Optimized
In today’s technological world, local business thrives more on mobile searches due to the fact that a higher conversion rate is achieved by using more local terms. Therefore, the website should be optimized for a mobile use. If it appears to be slow on a small screen then there is a possibility that a user might switch on to seeing the competitor’s website.

Buttons Related to Social Sharing Should be Added
A link to Google+ Local should be added on all your website pages in addition to other social networking buttons. Also, phone number and email address should be added on each page.

Webmaster Tools Should be Implemented
Issues related to the website can be identified using webmaster tools of Bing and Google.

Pictures Should be Uploaded
Pictures related to your business should be uploaded in the local directories. It’s not professional but decent pictures can help you to get very good exposure for your business.

Reviews Should be Collected
Take customers’ reviews in directories that are local, in a regular manner. Positive or negative, they will make your business credible to your current and potential customers.

A Blog Should be Started
A blog should be written on the promotional channels, services that you provide, a team of people that you have and the industry on the whole. This will help you to create awareness about your business in the minds of customers. Various popular platforms can be used for this purpose such as Tumblr, BlogSpot, WordPress, etc.

Consistent Information Should be Provided
While adding information related to the business or website on the local directory, it should be made sure that the details are correct in terms of description, links, email address, telephone number, address and the name of the business.

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Michael Pina is an internet marketing expert and blogger, currently associated with SPINX Inc., a Web Design and Development company in Los Angeles, California. SPINX provides hassle-free solutions for web design and development, SEO, software development and technology solutions worldwide.