Michael Collins, TravelMedia.ie, Travel Centres Presentation, November 2014 - Local SEO

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Local SEOMichael Collins – TravelMedia.ie


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611/14/2014

Local SEO

Search Engine Optimisation

SEO your local business

Optimise your website to be found in local search


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What is local SEO

Insert example of search results


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What is local SEO


911/14/2014

What is local SEO


1011/14/2014

Google is not EVIL Help Google Help You

If you don’t tell Google you exist they can’t drive

traffic to your site.

Google is always trying to deliver better more

accurate search results


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Local SEO

• Not difficult. A few easy steps.

• Basic SEO is simple. Advanced SEO is complicated.

• We are only concerned with the basics.

• Let Google know you exist, and where you are.

• It’s that simple.


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Diversify

• Diversify your traffic sources.

• SEO, offline, online, print, broadcast,

social, meta-search, PR, email, CMS


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70% • Not all of the following is required.

• 70% will get you there. Maybe already 25%.

• The key to make sure Google knows you exist.

• Where you are and who you are.

• Location = Waterford.

• Category = Travel Agency, Local Business


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OTAs - metasearchebookers, expedia, lastminute

skyscanner, momondo, traviago

• OTAs don’t own this space

• They are not local businesses

• You can compete with the big boys


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All Search is Local • IP address

• search engine – google.ie

• Gmail

• YouTube

• Google +

• ISP – eircom.net

• mobile operator


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Domain Name

.ie or .com


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Google Maps • maps.google.ie

• Search for your business.

• Not there, add it.

• This will create a Google+. My Business account.

• Populate your profile fully. Postcard in the post.

• Link all you Google profile under My Business.

• maps link from Google and embed on your website.


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Reviews • Google is looking at your reviews. Make sure you

allow reviews, especially on Google Maps / Local.

• Also, Yelp and others.

• More than 3 reviews and Google promote you,

at no cost. Get yourself a min of 3 reviews.


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What is local SEO


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Google+

• The dreaded Google+. Yes, it’s a headache.

• We are not fans. But Google are getting better at it.

• Remember Google+ is for SEO. Not social.

• My Business allows you to manager all Google

accounts under one master account.

• Unfortunately we can’t ignore Google+.


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Google+ x 10• What if you have multiple Google+ accounts?

• Legacy issue. Google thought they were being smart.

• Now we have My Business to manage all Google accounts –

YouTube, Adwords etc.

• Be careful if trying to delete duplicate Google+ accounts.

Odds are they are linked elsewhere, i.e. YouTube.

• You can merge multiple Google Places accounts but not

multiple Google+ accounts.

• A Google Places or Local account automatically creates a

Google+ account.


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Images on your website

• Use images and name them properly

• 334252.jpeg

• abc_travel_33_main_street_ranelagh_co_dublin.jpeg

• When not to use images……...…next slide


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Physical address

• Clearly on your homepage, at the top.

• 1st floor, 29 Main Street, Clontarf, Dublin 3

• Not as an image. Google can’t read images.

• Plain text. Consistency, Street v St.

• Don’t use a PO Box address.

• If you have a 1850 tel number also list your

actual number, e.g. 021 554 4722


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DNS setting

• Make sure you domain name settings,

address, telephone number etc. match those

of your business and on your website.

• Do a WhoIs search of your domain.

• Google looks at your domain name and its

setup.


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Social

• Yes. Google is looking at your social channels,

especially YouTube and Google+.

• Also, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.

• As well as your own personal LinkedIn profile

make sure you have a LinkedIn Business

page.


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Social


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Social - Facebook

• insert screengrab – Facebook, proper and full

population of About Section.


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Takeaways • Google Maps for Google Local.

• Google+ for company page.

• Allow reviews. 3 min.

• Full address and telephone number on website, plain text.

• No images for company info.

• Name images properly.

• Link Google Maps back to your site - embed.

• DNS settings. Who Is search

• Populate About / Profile in social fully.

• Consistency – Street versus St. Facebook, DNS, LinkedIn, Google Local.

• Local telephone number, not a 1850 number.


2911/14/2014

THANK YOU

@travelmedia_ie

#travelCC14


www.slideshare.net/travelmediaie

search for “TravelMedia”

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Michael Collins, TravelMedia.ie, Travel Centres Presentation, November 2014 - Local SEO