This post is mainly for those with brick and mortar stores or services provided on a local level. In order for proper local online marketing, you must be targeting your target market with geotargeted keywords.

What does this mean? For example, say I own a surf shop in Long Branch, NJ and I offer beginner lessons for surfing. My geotargeted keywords would look something like “New Jersey surf school” where there is a geotarget (New Jersey) and a keyword describing your product, service, or type of store.

Get even more granular with long-tail keywords like “Long Branch, New Jersey surf school” or “Learn to surf in New Jersey.” Someone may not be searching this exact query, but, based on their location (like the next town over), search engines will deliver your site in the forefront for similar search queries, especially if you have your map set up.

After you write your optimized masterpiece, you can’t just sit back and relax expecting search engines to come to an epiphany in which they realize you are the ultimate source of information. You have to go to where your local market is spending their time online.

Hitting Hyper-Local Outlets for Better Local Online Marketing

Hyper-local outlets are perfect places to earn quality link-backs and position your site in front of your target market. Here are five key places to start promoting your content.

Patch:

Patch.com is perfect for local online marketing. All of the posts you see pertain to your surrounding area, and you can comment and post articles of your own to gain credibility. As members voice their opinion, you will have a chance to humanize your brand by commenting back and performing Internet reputation management.

Local Newspapers/Magazine: 

Do a quick search for “newspapers in (insert your city and/or state)” and “magazines in (insert your city and/or state)” to find credible online outlets. Many newspapers/magazines have forums with active members openly voicing their opinion. Remember, do not just post your latest sale. A good idea is to promote an event and invite a reporter to cover the story. Give them the VIP treatment, and when you send in your quote you can add your keywords. Slick, I know.

Google+ Communities: 

Google+ is part of Google, and, if you have authorship set up, you could be converting traffic much better than the competition. Join Communities that pertain to your city and/or state, post often, engage with users, and be sure the #hashtag your location.

Merchant Circle:

A sometimes overlooked, but credible outlet, Merchant Circle allows you a chance to repurpose some of your favorite articles. It has its own blogging platform, and it also combines the power of a business directory.

Chambers of Commerce:

Did we forget these existed?! Your local Chamber of Commerce is a great outlet to team with local businesses. If there is a business that has been around longer than you, try to do a cross-promotion in order to gain a link-back. The Chamber’s newsroom is a credible outlet to post your news.

As always, remember not to spam your content or you will get negative SEO and your competition will rank higher. Humanize your brand and incorporate your keywords naturally.

About the Author

PCG Digital Marketing is an award winning digital agency headquartered in Eatontown, NJ. We help our clients get found online through innovative search, social and online advertising campaigns.