Local SEO Services | "What next? Predictions for Local SEO in 2013"

Source         : http://www.trafficplusseo.com/
By               : Traffic + SEO
Category     : Virtual Social Media
Posted By   : Local SEO in Florida

SEO 2013

I can’t believe that it’s nearly Christmas ! This year has flown by at a terrifying pace and I hope that December brings a few days of calm so that we can reflect on what has passed, and what the future holds.

2012 has been (another) year of significant change for all of us involved in ‘Local’ and 2013 is set to be just as busy. But what will 2013 bring, and how should we prepare ourselves & our customers to capitalize on the developments which will shape the next 12 months?

We called upon 4 extremely knowledgeable & experienced SEOs and industry watchers to share their wisdom and predictions for ‘Local’ in 2013. We thank them wholeheartedly for taking the time to talk with us and give us the benefit of their insights. Thanks guys!

Qu 1. Looking back…what has been the biggest change in local search in 2012?

MIKE BLUMENTHAL

“Two big trends that I see are:

Google firmed up their leadership position in local search on the desktop and from mobile browser and,

The growth of the app as an alternative source for local search information (vs mobile search)

At a micro level, the biggest change was the broader recognition of the impact of local and the need for businesses small and large to understand it.”

LINDA BUQUET

The upgrade to Google+ Local.

The ability to merge/verify with a Google+ Business page (which is still problematic and not ready for prime time.)

The diminished LOCAL Serps display.

While a lot of emphasis will likely be put on 1 and 2 by others, I’d like to spell out #3, because I think it’s affected local search the most (in general terms).

The ‘blended’ Local SERP display USED to be ADDITIVE. You’d get the benefit of a full paragraph keyword-rich organic listing PLUS all the local goodies added on top, which made a bigger listing that stood out.

Now the red map marker has turned to gray, the gold stars are gone, the title tag and description are gone. It’s a stripped down tiny bare listing without any keywords or context. Just name, address, phone.

Many businesses I work with would now prefer AND find they get higher click-through with a top organic listing than with a local listing. More businesses are asking “How can I get rid of that local listing so I can just show up in organic again and get my clicks back.” So I advocate/teach getting the best of both worlds. Get an organic listing on top so you have the keywords and description, PLUS get a separate local listing, so you have the benefits of a map marker and reviews.

So the visibility of local listings was just greatly de-emphasized and diminished over the year 2012.”

LAURA BETTERLY

”I think Google changing from Places to Google + Local changed things a lot–but this year has been full of changes. Panda, Penguin and the Exact Match Domain updates also effected Local so none of the campaigns we run end up being ‘set and forget’. A lot more care and effort has to go into what we do on a local level.”

MIKE RAMSEY

Google+ local is the big one, but there was a specific area within the new product that has effected what we do more than any other… Reviews.

The Zagat review system being integrated into Google brought about the biggest change for the following reasons.

1. No more 5 star system that helped with click through rates. 

2. People now have to have a Google+ account to leave reviews and even read all of a companies reviews. 

3. The review filter Google put on lots of service based industries has been a huge frustration with business owners that have actually pushed them to start diversifying reviews to other places and niche directories.