Should I Optimize For Local Search or Not?

[ChgoWriter]

Hi,

I'm building a new website for my writing business. It's writing, this is the web, I can work with anyone from anywhere.

My question is about my keyword research, especially regarding Page Titles.

I'm in Chicago.

Should I choose page titles that include Chicago, i.e. Writing Service Chicago, Chicago Freelance Writer? Or, Should I just go with the generic Writing Service, Freelance Writer etc.

It's just me, no staff. My goal is to get enough business (search is just one strategy) to keep me working.

If I go too broad, I'm afraid I'll never rank. If I go local, I may eventually rank, but will I get enough work?

Any ideas?

 

[DU]

There's PLENTY of work in Chicago. I believe that if you are starting a business you should focus local - this is how it works for most people. You put cards in coffee shops, you use connections, you meet people etc.

A lot of people like to work with people local to their place of business for the simple reason that you are reachable. If necessary they can call you. You are in the same Timezone etc.

If you want to be generic internet you have still got to do the same thing - create reputation on the right sites, build a portfolio/body of work or reputation.

Your site is just a well you are trying to draw people to. It's everything else that is hard. Being ranked locally will be much easier than globally for obvious reasons (tools, scope).

My feeling is that you should set your site up to focus on WHAT YOU DO and not where you are necessarily. Your site can still clearly identify your location, you can still use local search tools, local resources to draw your traffic/work and it won't interfere with your ability to get work from further afar.

In other words - do both. In terms of pure writing? Just order appropriately.

A Chicago Based Free Lance Writer says something very different than a Free Lance Writer Based Out of Chicago, imho.

To be honest, it's going to be very difficult to rank highly for a writing business to yield generic searches - and even if you do you won't necessarily get the work. I'd focus much more on a solid plan on discovering what your "sources" are for work... whether that be people at Namepros, local businesses, or other forums, newspapers, magazines etc.

 

[ChgoWriter]

Thanks, I like your point of view on this.

A Chicago Based Free Lance Writer says something very different than a Free Lance Writer Based Out of Chicago, imho.

Could you explain this a little more, please? I'm thinking in terms of Page Titles. Freelance Writer | Chicago or Chicago Freelance Writer or Freelance Writer?

I think you're absolutely right about going for local business. I'm in a big city and there is plenty of work here. I will still go for work from anywhere, but I think my focus should be primarily local.

 

[enlytend]

Targeting your local area seems like a good idea. Google seems to be giving preference to the big job/career sites for those keywords. You may have your work cut out for you!

By targeting "Chicago Freelance Writer" you're still including "Freelance" and "Writer." That's a win-win.

One thing you should definitely do if any of your work is online: Set up a Google+ author profile and link out to your work, using rel="author" or rel="me" in your article headers. Then whenever your page comes up in search results, it will display a thumbnail and a link to your G+ profile. (For more details, google authorship markup or author rank)

 

[DU]

A Chicago Based Free Lance Writer says something very different than a Free Lance Writer Based Out of Chicago, imho

This is not technical or google related.

Just making the right subject in the sentence.

Chicago Based Free Lance Writer -
This says your market is "Chicago" and you are a freelance writer...

Free Lance Writer Based Out of Chicago -
This says "Freelance writer"... who happens to be in Chicago

You can say both things just make it clear what's the most important (your service) vs location.

---------- Post added at 09:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:49 AM ----------

One thing you should definitely do if any of your work is online: Set up a Google+ author profile

Great info.:hearts:

 

[Host Surf UK]

If you are thinking of going local its best to have a bricks and mortar business with a central location to the city you are targeting.

 

[DU]

If you are thinking of going local its best to have a bricks and mortar business with a central location to the city you are targeting.

Right.. start your business off with a $5,000 (may be too little for Chicago) a month lease burden plus a $20/day parking fee.

Now if you wanted to setup in hotel as a business concierge service that's different..

 

[kathleenortan]

For title you can use "Affordable Freelance Content writer-Chicago".
And yes you should submit your site on Local Search as we got lots of business from the local market itself.

 

[larry05]

Optimizing for local search is effective beause when a visitor searches a product or a website they would first like to search for local business. SO, if local search is optimized properly it would come on the top in search engines.

 

[borgninestallone]

Local business listing optimizing helps in getting more business to the client. So it has to be optimized properly with correct company details.

We need to add contact number to have a direct calls from the people who are in search of your business keywords. This helps in promoting your site and rank in search engine as quick as possible.

 

[UTMediaGroup]

I think optimizing your website for local search is a must. Targeting local searches also means you can rank your website high in Google faster. Also don't forget to list your business in Google Places.

 

[emoviefreak]

It depends on the local market if you think you have a potential local market its best to optimize for your own place as you can deal with client in person.

 

[Gina Nair]

If you want to show yourself as a Native writer (cause that will attract more customers for writing business) , then state it as Chicago writer etc..but in terms of SEO , it does not have any effect , but title of the webiste should be in General and not chicago..because how do you want your website to pop up ? when people type of "writing services" OR "Chicago writing services " ? obviously people will search for writing services and not Chicago writing services , so it's vain .

 

[saikrupa]

There is a need to optimize for both local and global search for the websites. Its helps to have the website publicity in order to get the good page rank and more traffic for both global and local searches.

 

[larry05]

Local Search is definitely important if you are looking out for local business in your region. If you are keenly focussed on that, then local optimization is surely possible and required.

 

[Dirky47]

You should if you are targeting local visitors. If not then globally, will do better.

 

[Josh Jocky]

Its all about your business range. And you are doing writing services now. it has no range and all. If your service or business is too specifically about the region or particular place, you would concentrate on local search. And its not needed one you can consider both local and global searches for your business.

 

[Dirky47]

Make it more personal. use locational keywords.

 

[fritzluck]

considering the type of service you are offering, i think its better to have a more general keywords. People will search for a "writing service", no matter where they are (same language-speaking of course), since you can do your job from home/office then just email it. Different thing if you have a little cake shop in Chicago n needs to attracts local people to buy your products, fr example. Hope it helps

 

[audreyabbey]

It is very important to optimize your site first for local search as local link building can help business build local presence as local searches converts well. Then you may go global since local and global searches is relevant to make your business more visible to search engines and target users.