{"id":1018,"date":"2012-02-17T06:37:52","date_gmt":"2012-02-17T14:07:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.salesjumpstart.net\/blog\/?p=1018"},"modified":"2012-02-17T06:42:02","modified_gmt":"2012-02-17T14:12:02","slug":"google-local-search-in-denver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/salesjumpstart.net\/blog\/2012\/02\/17\/google-local-search-in-denver\/","title":{"rendered":"Google Local Search in Denver"},"content":{"rendered":"

The different types of Local Search<\/p>\n

There are three different type search query types that a company needs to be aware of when it comes to local search. Those being, a search with a large city, that represents the entire metro area in the search term, a search with a logical suburb in the search, and a search with no local intent (city, zip,).<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s say I\u2019m looking for a house painter for my Mom who lives about 25 miles south of my location. Her home is located in a small sub division by the name of Bowmar.\u00a0 I live in a small city called Lafayette, and both are part of the Denver metro area. What are the most likely methods I will use to search?<\/p>\n

First I am going to use the (what I call Facet city) Denver.\u00a0 Denver in my mind is generic, and should bring up the best of the entire metro area?<\/p>\n

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As you can see I get the PPC ads, and then the top few companies that are large established Denver painting companies. Now, because we did the optimization for both, I know more about them then a stranger would. But either will service my Mom\u2019s home, and both are good painters.<\/p>\n

Note that the top two results are NOT Google places or maps listings. They are organic. Also note that Vivax shows up both as the top organic listing and as number 2 in maps.<\/p>\n

Or:<\/p>\n

I could use the larger suburb her home is in (Littleton).\u00a0 So house painter Littleton looks like this:<\/p>\n

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Vivax is located in Littleton, so it shows up number one in maps,But what if I just look for the generic term no city or local intent, \u201chouse Painter\u201d?\u00a0 This is where Google try\u2019s to figure out where you are located. And this is important!\u00a0 Google thinks I am in Thornton Colorado.\u00a0 Remember I am in Lafayette CO. Thornton is about 7 miles away, and in terms of local services, barely relevant to me. There are several large suburbs and cities closer to me (Boulder is next door, and Broomfield in the other direction).\u00a0 But Google thinks I am in Thornton and will show Thornton results mixed with just national type results.\u00a0 Here is what my Firefox shows as my auto detect location:<\/p>\n

Here are the results:<\/p>\n

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As we did the optimization for Vivax and M and E it\u2019s no surprise these guys show up.\u00a0 But, we didn\u2019t intentionally try and get results in Lafayette.\u00a0 (remember that\u2019s where I am searching from). These results are more of a hangover from these two exceptionally well promoted sites having great rankings and using the city term Thornton as part of their service areas.<\/p>\n

So, the short story for a company trying to promote their site is this. \u00a0You need to check all three type search types in mind, and optimize for each. To accomplish this you must optimize both the Places listing and for the organic listings. In today\u2019s local search, in my opinion, organic optimization or site promotion comes first. Look at the Denver search again, organic wins over maps.<\/p>\n

But the most complicated issue is what location Google thinks you are searching from. When I try to find local services I am getting results for companies\u2019 two suburbs away. So as a SEO firm, it\u2019s important to complete local optimization based on a wide geographical area.<\/p>\n

See\u2026 local is easy!\u00a0 If we can help you with your Local visibility give us a call today. 303 500 3053 ext1<\/p>\n

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