Local SEO company
-
How important it is to choose a local SEO company based on their location? How can you check their reliability?
-
From a purely technical perspective, there's no reason that I can think of. I can, however, think of some business, relationship, and link building reasons.
-
Greater understanding of the geographic area and nuances. Working in Lancaster, PA, for instance, I've seen some seriously weird phrases that people use (and search for) idiomatically.
-
Potentially stronger (or already existing) local relationships for link building, both in terms of local business relationships as well as with local niche sites and authorities (e.g. newspapers).
-
Face-to-Face might, potentially, offer more accountability. I guess this one depends very strongly on the company you're dealing with, but you could make the argument that an SEO would develop a better understanding of your business if they meet you.
I can also think of some downsides, like lack of talent in your area.
Whether you're looking locally or further abroad, if you have concerns, references or referrals are always a big help, in my opinion.
-
-
SEO work is done over the internet, why would you need them to be a local company, other than to go to their office for face to face meetings perhaps?
-
Depends what industry you are in. I think some industries it is essential for someone to know the location and competition professionally rather then just using the same tactics they would normally use.
-
I would do a few checks, first see if they are ranking for their own term, ie we are in the miami/fort lauderdale our terms that we are looking (and are) to rank for are SEO Miami or SEO Fort Lauderdale. Local SEO does not have to be done by a local SEO person or company. However a local SEO guy probably has local connection.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Can anyone recommend an SEO agency that has provided outstanding results?
We're looking to hire an SEO agency and wanted to see if anyone could personally recommend some. We do not currently have a resource dedicated to SEO, so the agency will be the driver in developing and implementing the strategy. UPDATE Our site sells custom products so while there are around 60 products, there are many variations of any given product (paper type, cover type, color, etc.). We do not have a physical storefront and we ship anywhere in the US and Canada. We are looking for SEO services, mainly link building, monitoring rankings, and on-site factors. We have a resource dedicated to content in-house so the agency would work closely with this person in building out a content strategy. We are open to agencies around the US but are located in Maryland so EST time zone would be preferable.
Image & Video Optimization | | lforemannpl0 -
Local SEO Best Practice
Hi We currently have 6 showrooms in a geographical area (Scotland,UK) and each showroom covers a specific region within the country encompassing towns and cities. So for example showroom A based in Edinburgh covers a customer area of Edinburgh, Fife, St Andrews while showroom B located in Glasgow covers Glasgow, Livingston etc In google places I have drawn the geographical area on the map that each showroom covers making sure that they do not overlap At present some of which are ranking well in local but one is stating that 'google does not support this location' and after following previous advice on the forum this is still the case. Would I be better setting up another google account for this showroom and submit it again into Google Places or would it be better going into Google+ business pages? or are they the same thing? Finally is it worth using the following in Google Places? KML File and Geo Sitemap generation (these files are needed for Google) Address output in Schema.org format
Image & Video Optimization | | ocelot0 -
Thoughts on Google's New NAP Dispaly on Google+ Local
Hi, Do you think ACTION needs to happen based on Google's new NAP formatting change? They are changing Suite or STE to #. So for example 265 Racine Dr #100 Wilmington, NC 28403 Even if you enter in Suite they change it to pound. I am wondering the thoughts of the community of the following: 1. Do you think Google knows that STE, Suite, and # are all the same 2. Do you feel that we need to change ALL online local business listings and our website to match this change. 3. Here is the letter from Google on the matter FROM GOOGLE: Thanks for informing us about your address appearing differently on your local Google+ page than it does on your dashboard. After looking further, we've determined that 240 Stockton St #300 San Francisco, CA 94108 is an appropriate way for your listing to be displayed. Note that the address on your page might be different from what you've input into your dashboard. Our processes might alter user-input addresses to make them more standardized and easier for users to access. Thanks for understanding. Best, Nathan
Image & Video Optimization | | WebBizIdeas
The Google Team0 -
Google+ Local Assistance (Listings being reviewed)
Hey guys, My client is having issues with his Google+ pages and I'm wondering if someone can shine some light on the issue for me... Basically the client has two businesses, both using the same residential address. The page was ranking well until a week ago, when it disappeared from search results and was listed in the dashboard as "Under Review." I've heard horror stories about this -- examples of Google taking months to review pages and make a decision, and I'm wondering if if might be better to just delete the under review pages and start over (hiding the address on the new listing to comply). Edward
Image & Video Optimization | | edwardrj0 -
Which Local Listing Should I Delete
I have a client that has two local listings in google for one suburb. My client only has one office in this area. In the below two local listings no information has been completed except for information scraped from the yellow pages by google Option A
Image & Video Optimization | | VivaArturo
One listing has a review that is 8 months old and shows in the blended local search results position A. However the address details are incorrect as info is from an old yellow pages ad. To verify this address it can only be completed by postcard as does not provide a phone number option. Option B
This listing has the correct address as per the yellow pages listing and has been verified and has no reviews. in position I All other competitor local listings are not placed except for one Should I edit Option A's address to update to the current address and delete Option B from the local listings. Verification can be completed by mail only Or should I delete Option A with the incorrect address with one review and keep Option B as has just been verified and can start woking on this listing immediately. I think I should use Option B, as in the 2 weeks I would wait to be verified I could gain more ground with the current listing. What are your thoughts?0 -
SEO for a eSmoking eCommerce Client ?
We have a client, for whom we built a Magento website, where he is selling eSmoking products like eCigars, etc . Now, he wants us to do the SEO of his website. Im not sure, if the general practise is fine for him, because of the nicotine laws by the fda, yahoo and google will not do it. Let me know, how I should proceed.
Image & Video Optimization | | qubesys0 -
Local SEO... use 800 # or local, use full-street name or abbreviation?
Couple local SEO questions... Do you feel it’s better to submit a listing with the full type of street rather than an abbreviation? Google Places sometimes disassociates data because of small differences like this. Below is an example: Full Name: 123 Broadway Street
Image & Video Optimization | | qlkasdjfw
Abbreviation: 123 Broadway St. Also, I’m wondering if you feel it’s better to submit a local number versus an 800 number. I've modified many local listings for clients manually with an 800 number, but then there are other data sources for these same businesses that are displaying the local number. I am starting to use UBL/LocalEZE and are wondering what people have seen working best... local number or 800 number. Thanks!0