In the first week of April, Google announced changes to search results for local queries, such as restaurants and dentists, etc that would use a location based search such as dentists in Bristol. To make searches easier results are tailored to match the users IP address without having to type the location within the search query. Traditionally, search queries that include a location would turn up results displayed on a map; however, with this new update the need to use locations within your search queries should no longer be necessary, in theory.

This update has been rolled out worldwide (it has not affected Google South Africa, which has yet to display map listings for any location based search) and also includes results for street addresses and stores without the location.

Now, this is not completely accurate, as the location results are based on IP addresses and you are able to use the “change location” option from within the results to fine tune your search query.

I am sure you are all familiar with local search and have seen various local results popping up in Google in the past but how many of you know exactly what local search is all about.

I have a presentation on local search that explains not only the basics but the in depth factors of local search as well. I also gave my view on where I think local search is moving to.

Some of the main factors covered:

• Factors that make you rank
• How to optimize for local
• Adding your business in the LBC(local business center)
• Different types of results and why you would want to be in a certain type

Another section that I covered was how Google needs to up their game in order to infiltrate the local search market in countries like China, where Baidui is the biggest search engine.
Have a look at my presentation and let me know if there is anything i have left out.

Committing to the wrong key phrases on your site will make it very easy to fail before you even start. For a good key phrase analysis, put yourself in the mind of your audience, and think as if you were the optimal user for your site.

Start simple and use your niche when finding the core phrases that suit your business the best. Every-one has his or her preferred keyword tool, so start there and store up the core phrases for your niche until you have a small handful of focused niche phrases.

Once you have your main target phrases, expand them out into long-tail terms that would be derived from the main target phrase. You can use location based terms, but choose these from the location you`re focusing on, as it`s pointless targeting “Cape Town” if you only sell your service/product in “Johannesburg”. Be descriptive, for example, “silver laptop”, but keep it relevant to what you offer.