local search Archives - Small Business SEO and Website Design

Small Business Mobile Website Design Alert!

March 9, 2015 by Jeffrey Taylor

Google Announces Non Mobile Friendly Websites Will Be Affected by New Algorithm Update!

I knew several years ago that this was coming and finally Google is taking action against websites that are not designed to be mobile phone friendly.

I have been warning business owners that having a smart phone friendly website is not an option.

In case you are not aware of the changing search landscape, here are the facts! Mobile searches are exploding and if you are a local business, I can assure you that at least half of the searches online for your type of business are now coming from a smart phone or a tablet.

Google knows this and is taking action. Serious action!

Here is what Google recently announced:

“Starting April 21, we will be expanding our use of mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal. This change will affect mobile searches in all languages worldwide and will have a significant impact in our search results”

Click Here for the Link to the announcement on Google Webmaster Central

One main reason small business owners should take notice of this announcement is the word significant.

As a long time Local SEO specialist, I fully understand that Google has numerous ranking signals built into their algorithms that determine what web pages rank for specific keywords or search phrases. It is not one big signal that determines your rank, rather lots of little ones.

We call them on-page ranking factors and off-page ranking factors. In fact there are really only about 10-12 signals that seriously affect your ability to rank on page one for your targeted keywords.

Google’s latest announcement is important to pay attention because she rarely uses impact words when rolling out algorithm tweaks or updates. In all roll outs they usually use vague phrases or suggestions.

The fact that Google uses the words significant impact in our search results should grab everyone’s attention.

Translation: You will lose search engine rankings if your website is not mobile friendly! Period!

Unfortunately for the thousands of small business owners that hired a cheap website designer or are using one of those cookie cutter do it yourself website builders, there is a good chance your website is not mobile friendly.

The time to take action is now, or you risk losing potential customers when Google decides not to show your website anymore because it has determined that it is not mobile friendly!

Is a Google Penalty the next step?

When Google makes a significant algorithm change that affects search rankings it is considered a new or updated ranking signal that we must be aware of. The tone of Google’s announcement should get people thinking about whether the next step will be an actual penalty.

Technically, Google will penalize a website when it violates its guidelines. For now, we should consider this an algorithm update and keep our eye on the guidelines. If Google really wants to move the dial it will require websites to be mobile friendly and will make it part of its guidelines.

Is Your Business Website Mobile Friendly?

Before you start to panic or shell out big bucks for a mobile friendly website, read through my checklist below to determine how bad (or good) your current website design is and what people are seeing when they search for you on a mobile device.

View your website on a mobile device – smart phone and tablet. How bad does it look? Can you easily navigate through it?
Use the Google Mobile friendly test tool. www.google.com/webmasters/tools/mobile-friendly/ Listen to what Google tells you.
Take action!

Are You Using Google Webmaster Tools?

Log into your Google account and go to your Webmaster tools. If you do not have your website verified with webmaster tools, do it now!

If you look at the image to the left you will see that Google recently added another category under Search traffic called Mobile Usability. Go there and see what Google tells you.

Google is looking at how your website appears on a mobile device as well as page speed and usability.

Fix your problems asap or risk losing your rankings in the Google search results!

Do not ignore this warning if you rely on your web presence for leads and customers.

The reality is, Google seldom issues warnings, they usually just act and we have to react after the fact.

Make sure you are working with a web designer that understands mobile search and if at all possible redesign your website so it has what is known as a responsive design built in.

Google has said many times that it prefers responsive design over separate mobile websites with a redirects from your main website.

If you are not sure what I mean here, just Google “responsive mobile web design”.

Want to learn more about mobile friendly website design and how to make it work for your business?

At Local Goldmine we have been helping small business owners market online using proper website design and Local SEO. Regardless of the size of your business, if you do business in a local market we can help you increase your leads and phone calls.

Give us a call or fill out the form on this page and let’s talk! We can look at your current website and determine how mobile firendly it is and what steps you need to take to avoid a major Google penalty.

Why Is Google Mad At Your Business?

February 3, 2014 by Jeffrey Taylor

If Google Tells You That She is Angry at Your Website or Local Listing, You Better Listen!

If your phone rings in the middle of the night, waking you up, it is probably not Google calling.

You see, Google does not call you to tell you they are angry about what you are doing online, they just take action.

It happens all the time, a business owner wakes up one morning, goes online, and finds his website rank has dropped from page one and is nowhere to be found. Panic sets in!!

Or, maybe your Google Plus Local business listing has just disappeared, and is now missing in action.

You call your local SEO service and they tell you, we don’t know just yet, but we are looking closely at your situation. In the mean time your phone is not ringing and you are losing money! Now, panic really sets in!

As a small business owner you depend on local Internet marketing to attract more customers to your business and when Google decides you are not her friend anymore it can have a dramatic effect on your bottom line.

Why is Google Penalizing Your Small Business website?

I wish the answer was simple, but its not. Nothing about Google is simple, and it can be extremely confusing and time consuming to try and keep up with what is upsetting the Google search algorithm and causing your local business listing or website to fall off the first page.

Don’t take it personally, Google didn’t single you out of the millions of small businesses online. Nope, they simply made some changes to their search algorithm and one or more of the online marketing tactics you are currently employing, pissed her off.

Geez… not even a phone call. That’s just cold!

Penguins, Pandas and Hummingbirds, oh my!

Penguins, Panda, and Hummingbirds may look cute when you are at the zoo, but online they are the Google updates that can destroy your small business overnight. Like it or not, Google makes the rules when it comes to search engine marketing online and their ongoing search updates are a constant reminder that we better listen!

The reality of getting Google to take you seriously and actually like your business online, lies in doing your Internet marketing the right way.

The right way to please Google is not what some fast talking SEO telemarketer tells you is the best and fastest way to page one.

The right way is also not found in some eBook you just bought for 10 bucks on the Warrior Forum that claims they just cracked the Google code and found a loophole to getting you to page one.

Nope, marketing your small business online in a local market is about understanding all the components necessary to create a web presence that is not only loved by Google, but also converts searchers into customers. Fail at either of those 2, and you will fail at local Internet marketing.

Where does your small business currently stand online?

Chances are, your business fits into one of the following 3 categories when it comes to marketing online:

1. Just starting out with local Internet marketing. No website, no Google business listing, nada! Not such a bad thing, because at this point you have done nothing to piss Google off. (yet)

2. Have an local online presence but not showing up on page one for your money keywords. One of 2 things here. You either are currently pissing Google off and she is punishing you, or, you are just doing a really poor job of optimizing your website and Google business listing, and the search engine giant doesn’t pay any attention to you.

3. At one time, your online stuff was doing great, suddenly your website or Google business listing dropped or disappeared from page one. Uh oh… Houston we may have a problem!

Unfortunately, there is a very good chance Google is not happy with you and has let you know by dropping your rankings, or if she is extremely angry, took you out completely! Best case scenario is, you have gotten lazy and your competition has been working overtime to grab a page one ranking from you.

However, if you suddenly drop, versus a slow drop over time, chances are something you or your SEO provider is doing has gotten you into hot water and Google has punished you.

Google Does Warn You… Sometimes!

If you have a Google account and set up Webmaster tools, Google may send you a warning about some evil places that are linking back to your website.

You know some nasty links from back in the good old days when back linking was the fastest and best way to grab page one rankings!

Get lots of back links was the battle cry from SEO experts across the globe!!

You may suddenly remember not too long ago, you paid $99 and someone with a strange accent created 5,000 back links to your homepage in under 48 hours. Ah… yes, fast, cheap, and easy SEO!

Suddenly, your website was loaded with back links from weird domain names from strange foreign lands! Back links that have absolutely nothing to do with your small business, or your local market area.

One day you receive a warning from Google in your webmaster tools telling you she does not like some of those back links, and you better fix them… or else!

There was also a time (not long ago) where many website owners were building back links with anchor text that matched their top keywords. It worked great, until a Google Penguin decided it was not acceptable, and suddenly we were scrambling to change the ratio of our back link anchor text to get back in the good graces of Google. Slapped by an innocent and cute looking Penguin, go figure.

How Can You Get Google To Like You Again?

Again, the answer is not a simple one. In many cases it is a few simple fixes, and in some cases you need to scrap everything and start over!

The problem is, pinpointing what in your online marketing mix is causing a Google penalty. It may be just poor marketing with no Google penalty, to a multitude of Google penalties. Either way, ignoring them will not suddenly push you to page one for your money keywords.

It All Starts With a Complete Local Internet Marketing Analysis!

Spending more money on SEO, buying more domains, or signing on with another Local Search service is not going to help get your business back on top if you do not fix what is broken first.

Some professional local SEO Companies will see your existing problems and fix them, while others will just continue to use outdated and ineffective techniques that can actually hurt you more. I cringe when I receive spam from back link building services that are to this day, creating spammy back links and preying on the ignorance of small business owners that do not understand local search.

Do not continue to pour money into local SEO hoping things will improve until you know exactly why Google does not like you and how it must be fixed.

Unfortunately, there are quite few unscrupulous SEO Companies that are more than happy to promise you great things and never do anything to fix the existing problems. It is kind of like trying to squash a fire with gasoline!

Common local search issues we see when doing a Local Search Analysis:

1. Poorly designed and not locally focused website. No Google penalty here. Your website sucks, simple as that, like it or not!

2. Overly optimized website. Stuffing your keywords in your content at every chance, or jamming every city within 100 miles of your business on every page, certainly pisses Google off and can definitely get you a fast ticket to page 9 in the Google results.

3. Evil Back Links From Bad Neighborhoods. This is extremely common because many small business owners fell for the cheap, fast back link sales pitches amateur SEO services were preaching. At one time, this worked very well and many small businesses made lots of money using these techniques. The problem here is, determining which back links are pissing Google off and how you can fix it?

I recently did a analysis for a local Chiropractor and found he had over 170,000 back links from all over the world. Cmon, a local business with over 170,000 back links, with most of them coming from Poland. He told me he used to rank number one for everything, and suddenly his website dropped out of sight, and he cannot understand why. Worse yet, his SEO person told him he needed to build more back links!

4. Poorly optimized, inconsistent NAP, or disconnected Google Plus Local business listing. Having your Google Plus local business listing show up on page one for your keywords is a wonderful thing! But, just like your business website there are rules here also.

I recently found a Google Places eBook selling for $99 two years ago, that trained small business owners and local SEO specialists how to get your Google Places business listing to number one in the Google local search results. Almost every single technique listed in that eBook, is now against Google terms of service and would get your listing penalized or suspended today.

There are too many potential Google local business listing problems to list here today, but rest assure if your business listing is not ranking in Google or once ranked and dropped like a rock, you are doing that is probably violating Google TOS or, are not following Google Plus Local best practices.

What should you do next?

You have 2 choices, ignore it and hope that miraculously, Google suddenly loves you again, or…

you can find out what is wrong with your local Internet marketing and work to fix it!

Putting your head in the sand and hoping things will improve is a sure way to kill your business.

Getting angry at Google for enforcing their rules will not help you. If the SEO company you hired cannot give you straight answers, or maybe what they are doing is what got you in trouble, paying them every month will not help you.

If your SEO service doesn’t return your calls, or keeps feeding you double talk, it may be time for a new partner.

Your second choice is to take immediate action and find out what is wrong. It is not always a Google penalty or slap that is keeping you from page one of the search engine results. It may simply be poor SEO, or online marketing. However, if you once ranked well and suddenly dropped, it is probably something that you are doing that Google does not smile upon.

Get a Local Internet Marketing Analysis ASAP!

Nobody in their right mind would do something intentionally to anger the biggest and most powerful search engine in the world. I am sure that whatever is wrong with your website or Google Plus local business listing was not done with the intentions of getting yourself banished to the Google dungeon called page 9.

If you knowingly took part in what we call black hat SEO, in hopes of gaming Google, well, you got what you deserve. Sooner or later, you get caught and must start over.

But, if you are like many of the thousands of small businesses that unknowingly violated some rules or hired a SEO company that took shortcuts to get you better rankings, it is important to take action and get your business back on top of the lead generating machine known as Google Page One!

You cannot fix something until you know what is broken! Spending more money on SEO is a waste of your hard earned dollars if the underlying problem has not been addressed and and steps taken to fix it. A complete online analysis can often reveal something that may be causing your poor ranking.

Local Internet Marketing is not an exact science but if there is a glaring issue, in most cases it will need to be fixed.

Click Here For a Free Local SEO and Website Analysis

If you do business in a local area and depend on certain keywords to attract new customers, please realize that you are not only competing for 10 spots on page one of Google with other businesses and directories, but also trying to stay in good graces with the Google search algorithm.

Google does not hate your business and they didn’t single you out for persecution. Simply put, you are either doing a lousy job marketing online or something you are doing or did pissed off the highly sophisticated search engine algorithm. Either way, you must take action or watch your competition take customers from you.

The choice is yours.

Internet Marketing For Dermatologists

October 30, 2013 by Jeffrey Taylor

Using the Power of SEO and Local Online Marketing to Attract More Patients to your Dermatology Office!

Local Internet marketing and search engine optimization for a Dermatologist is actually not as complicated as it may seem. Prospective patients go online and search for specific treatments, in specific areas and if your practice shows up on page one of Google, you have an opportunity to reach them and compel them to contact you.

If you do not show up on page one, one of your competitors will take your place.

Putting your Dermatology practice on page one of Google can be accomplished in 2 ways.

You can buy Pay Per Click (Google Adwords) and bid on specific keywords related to your business. The dirty little secret Google does not want you to know is that only around 15-18% of searchers click on paid ads.
You can optimize your website, Google Local Business Listing, and create compelling content to grab what are known as organic search rankings in the Google local search results.

Keyword Search For “Dermatologist Virginia Beach”

Click image to enlarge

Successful Internet Marketing Requires A Plan

To keep Local Internet Marketing for your Dermatology office simple, we look at what you must have to reach your online goals:

Your Website – Do you have one? If yes, is it ranking for the right keywords in your target area? If not, we do a thorough analysis, looking at why it is not ranking and we fix it! If you do not have a website, we design and build a locally focused website that contains all the elements necessary to not only rank on page one of Google, but also encourage prospective patients to contact you.

Google Local Business Listing– To successfully market online in your local market, you must have a Google Plus account as well as a Google Local business listing. There is a right way to set up these accounts and a wrong way. Do it wrong and you may hurt your rankings if you receive a major Google penalty. The key to success is tying your Google accounts to your website. Unfortunately, many Internet Marketing companies still do not understand how to properly set up a Google local business listing so it ranks.

Social Media – This is no longer an option! Have you ever heard of the term Social Signals? Google has. Google is now looking at your social network and you cannot ignore the influence of social media as it relates to search engine optimization (SEO) and how Google ranks your content. We look at your target markets, and determine which social media outlets fit your Dermatology practice.

Content Marketing – Google has make it no secret that Content is King! To rank high and maintain those rankings over the long haul a solid content marketing plan helps you target more keywords as well as build your local brand and authority. Google is looking at what you publish, where you publish, and how often you publish to determine if you are an authority in your local market. Using powerful techniques like Google Authorship, we help you rise to the top as an authority in your local market.

Local Directories – Expanding your reach in the local market online requires that you be listed in as many relevant local directories as possible. Not only do potential clients use these websites to find local businesses, Google is also looking at these listings and the more Google Places Citations you have the more it will help you rank.

How will Local Goldmine help your Dermatology Office attract more patients using Local Search Marketing?

First of all, we never talk about cost or strategy until we have completed a full situation analysis. Just like an orthopedic surgeon uses an MRI to isolate a knee problem before doing surgery, we take a comprehensive look at:

Your website – content, on-page and off-page optimization
Your Google local business Listing(s) – you must have this in 2016
Your target area – this is the basis of your local search strategy
The current online competition in your target area
The best keywords for your practice and target areas.

Understanding Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and how it affects Dermatologists.

The fact is, people use the Internet to find everything! Whether it is a local restaurant or a dermatologist, people like to use technology to easily and quickly gather information.

This means your local online presence must stand out above your competition if you hope to effectively reach these searchers and get their business.

Unless you have multiple locations, Google will only display your Google business listing in the city your address is in. This creates a marketing problem if you market to surrounding cities.

This is where a real Local Search professional can help you.

Are You Targeting Your Best Prospects First?

Using what is known as hyper-local marketing we create an online presence in all of your local search areas and ensure that your local landing pages appear on page one for your target cities and neighborhoods.

Targeting keywords for the services you provide.

Everyone knows that ‘dermatology city’ and ‘dermatologist city’ are popular keywords and the competition to rank for them is usually pretty fierce.

Why stop there! It amazes us how many SEO services totally ignore prime and very valuable keywords that describe your services.

The fact is, our keyword analysis has found that many prospective clients will search for a specific treatments online, such as,

cancer screening, Botox, Juvederm, cosmetic dermatology, etc…

Combine your specific treatments and services with hyper-local search marketing and you will have a powerful local search presence that generates leads.

**If You want to dominate your local market online You MUST think outside the box!**

Competition for dermatology related keywords is too fierce to just do what everyone else is doing! To effectively beat your competition online, you need to do it better.

While so many SEO companies are stuck in the rut of doing the same thing, you need to step out and do things differently if you want to overtake your competition online.

With over 20 years of local Search marketing experience we look to the future and what is working now, not last year!

Here is just one example of doing what works versus what used to work on Google!

Chances are you have a “Before and After” photo galleries. Do they show up in the search engine results?

No they don’t! Yet, our research has shown that many prospects will search for ‘before and after’ photos of specific procedures. We have a super powerful technique that none of your competition is using and we guarantee it will put you above them in Google when implemented.

Video SEO Marketing For Dermatologists

Dominating page one of Google for the best keywords requires that you do things that Google likes and rewards with high rankings.

Google loves to rank videos! They own YouTube and a properly optimized YouTube video can easily outrank web pages. We can prove it!

Video is the fastest growing online medium because searchers prefer to watch video and will take action!

Many SEO services offer video, but are clueless when it comes to Video SEO. What good is a video if nobody sees it?

Are you thinking outside the box when it comes to local SEO and video? We are!

Have you thought about turning your “before and after” photo galleries into ”before and after” videos and putting them on page on of Google?

Are You Ready To Put Your Practice On Top of the Search Engines?

If you would like to learn more about how you can take your Dermatology practice to the next level and use the power of Local Search Marketing to attract new patients give us a call.

The first thing we will do is complete a full online analysis to determine your strengths and weaknesses.

Once we determine what is wrong we can work with you to fix it, We offer complete online marketing plans designed to give you the best opportunity to increase your online exposure and attract more patients. After all, isn’t that what you want?

Contact our Local Search Specialist and get straight answers about what your Dermatology Clinic needs to do to attract more patients online!

Call us at (8oo) 506-9848 or just request a Free Local Search Analysis by filling out the simple form on this page.

Local Internet Marketing St Augustine FL

October 28, 2013 by Jeffrey Taylor

Reach More Potential Customers in the St Augustine Jacksonville Florida area by using the Power of Local Internet Marketing!

To be seen online in the Local area you need to combine Local SEO, your Google Business Listing and a locally focused website design.

Because of the beautiful year round climate, historical significance, and proximity to the beaches, St Augustine is a huge tourist draw, as well as home to many year-round residents.

As a business owner you must understand how marketing on the Internet can help you reach both of these markets.

With over 5 million visitors a year, St Augustine business owners should not ignore the opportunities that exist when trying to reach these visitors and encourage them to use your business while they are here.

The fact is, many visitors to St Augustine Florida use their smart phones and notepads to find local attractions while they are here. A good restaurant, a nice hotel, even an emergency dentist, to name a few. When these ‘ready to buy’ visitors do a search, you must show up in the results if you hope to convert them into customers.

Why do people visit the St Augustine FL area?

Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is famous for being the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European and African-American origin in the United States.

Forty-two years before the English colonized Jamestown and fifty-five years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, the Spanish established at St. Augustine this nation’s first enduring settlement.

The rich history of St Augustine is a huge draw and offers visitors many options when they arrive, but lets not ignore all the other great items that makes it a great place to stay.

Beaches, Golf, Restaurants, Hotels, all make St Augustine a great place for locals as well as long distance travelers. It is not uncommon for Jacksonville residents to make the trip for the day to enjoy everything St Augustine has to offer!

How Can Local Search Marketing and SEO Help Your Business Attract More Customers?

In the digital age it is quite simple! Interested prospects type keyword phrases into the search engines and your business either shows up on page one or it doesn’t.

The days of the Yellow Pages and local newspapers as the main traffic drivers to your business are over. Everyone is connected to the Internet and that is the preferred method to find products and services fast.

The key to success in your local market is getting in front of as many prospects as possible and providing them with a good reason to contact you or visit your business.

Local GoldMine uses a proven digital marketing formula to help St Augustine, Jacksonville area businesses market online!

In 2016, Marketing your business online is much, much, more than just building a website.

Yes, a well designed, locally optimized website is a huge piece to the online marketing puzzle, but to rank on page one of Google you must have a complete local web plan in action.

When you contact the website design team and local search experts at Local Goldmine in St. Augustine FL with questions about your online marketing , we do not overwhelm you with technical jargon or canned sales pitches. We take a hard look at your current online presence, your industry, and your competition, before we talk about a marketing plan.

To keep local search engine optimization simple we look at what you must do to reach your online goals:

Your Business Website – Do you have one? If yes, we do a thorough analysis, looking at why it is not ranking and we fix it! If you do not have a website, we design and build a locally focused website that contains all the elements necessary to not only rank on page one of Google, but also compel visitors to contact you.

Google Local Business Listing – You must have a a Google business page. There is a right way to set up these accounts and a wrong way.Do it wrong and you may end up with a major Google penalty.

Tying your Google accounts to your website is an absolute necessity in today’s competitive online market. Unfortunately, many local SEO companies still do not understand how to properly set up a Google local business listing so it ranks in the Google local 3 pack.

Social Media Marketing– This is no longer an option! Whether you use social media sites like Google Plus or Facebook or not, you cannot ignore the power of social media from an SEO perspective or a online marketing perspective. We look at the type of business you have and your target markets, to determine which social media outlets fit your business.

Content Marketing – The key to online success. Google has make it no secret that Content is King!

A solid content marketing plan helps you target more keywords as well as build your local brand and authority. Google is looking at what you publish, where you publish, and how much relevance it has to your industry. Using our Hyper-local marketing techniques allows you to target all of the cities you do business in, regardless of your physical address.

We Make Local Internet Marketing and Website Design Simple and Affordable in St Augustine and Jacksonville Florida!

Whether you have never used online marketing or tried it before and didn’t see the results you expected, you owe it to your business to talk to us about our proven local Search formula.

We don’t offer cookie cutter packages, or push services you don’t need. After a consultation and analysis we will lay it right out in front of you.

What you need, how long it should take, and what it will cost.

If you are serious about using the power of Local Internet Marketing and driving more customers to your St Augustine area small business, contact Jeffrey Taylor at our local Jacksonville – Saint Augustine office at (904) 796-8527 and let’s talk about your current situation.

This is a Free Consultation and local SEO analysis… NO Sales Pitches here. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have and give you a clear picture of what you need to do to achieve your goals!

Are you ready to take control of your Local Internet Marketing and get your business in front of more interested customers?

Call Jeffrey Taylor today or fill out the form on the side of this web page!

Local GoldMine

St Augustine FL

(904) 796-8527

Google Local Business Listing Scam Alert!

If you are a small business owner and have a local business you are probably receiving numerous phone calls from telemarketers and automated robo calls regarding your Google Places, Google Plus Local, Google business listing and as of July it is now called Google Mybusiness.

Beware of Google Local Scam Artists – Read More Here

Google Hummingbird and Small Business SEO

October 15, 2013 by Jeffrey Taylor

How Does the Recent Google Hummingbird Algorithm Affect Local Small Business Owners?

In case you have not heard, Google recently released a new algorithm named Hummingbird, that is sending many SEO experts scrambling to see what they need to do next!

Here is the reality of online marketing. It is always changing!

For the past 15 years SEO’s and business owners have been trying to beat Google at their own game and grab the highly coveted top search result rankings. Smart business owners know that a top ranking in Google can seriously boost revenue and help grow their business.

Over the years this ongoing cat and mouse game has created a mentality among some online marketers that when Google makes a change, you need to find out how to game their algorithm again. Once you figure out the new loop hole in Google, you take advantage of it until Google slaps you again.

This sad situation has led to many wannabe SEO specialists leading small businesses down the road of short term success and long term disaster. Many uninformed business owners fall for these quick buck scam artists, and by the time they figure out what damage has been done to their online presence, the hucksters have moved on to their next victims.

The Truth About Local Search and Small Business

The new Hummingbird Algorithm is the biggest change in 15 years and already I am seeing SEO hucksters claiming they have discovered the secrets to beating it.

Before you buy into this, understand that Google has thousands of very smart engineers paid to create the best search algorithm in the world. Google has clear rules and you either follow them, or you try to find a hole in their algorithm and exploit it. Every time a local SEO service uses tactics designed to trick Google or game the system, they put their clients at risk.

As a small business owner you must understand that the correct way to market online requires real work, and there are no shortcuts. Anyone claiming to get you fast results, or guarantees you top rankings, is setting you up for online failure!

What we know about the new Google Hummingbird Algorithm:

Google is reacting to the huge growth in Mobile phone use and the way people search on them. People tend to ask questions on their mobile devices versus just using a few keywords. Google has said straight out that the new algorithm will focus on user intent, and it is looking more at long tail keyword phrases. Moving forward, content that answers questions and addresses problems are more likely to surface. In short, you must start focusing your content on answering questions and solving problems versus just targeting specific keywords.

Focusing on single or 2 word keyword phrases will be much more difficult for small business owners. Unfortunately, the shorter 1-2 word phrases are showing the larger directory sites on page 1 of the Google results. This requires a more focused content marketing strategy that incorporates local SEO.

There is no definitive proof yet, but it makes sense that social sharing and social signals will have a place here. Just as in any solid content marketing plan, you must have a distribution strategy to encourage searchers to find and react to your content in as many places possible.

Mobile is extremely important. Google sees mobile search as the future, and is preparing for that. It is time to look at how your business displays in a search on any mobile device. Ask a question that should result in your business ranking in the search results. ”Where can I find an mechanic in Jacksonville?” or “Who has the best Mexican food in Scottsdale?”

This is not a Google update designed to slap cheaters like the Penguin and Panda updates. This is a new algorithm designed to change the way Google interprets search queries. Google wants to determine exactly what you really want when you enter words into their search box. Low grade websites, thin in content, will probably not survive in the long run.

What Should Small Business Owners Do Next?

First and foremost, if it has not affected your current rankings, stay calm. Remember, this is not a Google slap.

Time for a complete web presence audit!

Without panicking, start looking at the following areas and evaluate your current situation.

How you appear in Mobile
Are you engaged in Social Media
Do you have a consistent Content Marketing plan
Are you focusing on Customer questions
Is your website and content locally focused
Is your website designed for content marketing – link architecture, RSS feeds, Sitemaps
Do not ignore on-page SEO and keywords
Are you listed in major directories
Are your Citations consistent in in the right directories

Google Hummingbird is definite proof that Local Search is changing… Are You Ready?

Whether you are already engaged in local search marketing or just getting in the game, remember one thing! The road to success does not include short cuts or fast talking SEO hucksters that claim to have cracked the Google algorithm code.

Google is too smart and does not tolerate cheaters. Local search success revolves around having a plan that combines ethical SEO with content marketing. When you start thinking more like your customers and focusing on answering their questions and solving their problems via good relevant content you will be rewarded.

Get Your Online House in order first!

If you are finally realizing that you need a solid content marketing strategy, before you do another thing or hire a content marketing service, you must take care of your current online situation first.

This means making sure…

Your Google Plus and Google Plus Local listing are set up and optimized
Your website is within Google guidelines and on a platform that can handle a good content marketing system
Your information (citations) across the Internet is consistent
You have a reputation management program in place
You understand the different types of content and what works best for your business and industry
Your content is original and credited to you via Google Authorship

Let us help you get started!

The good news is, the new algorithm is designed to allow the smart business owners that provide good content and create a solid online presence to rise to the top. The next time the phone rings with another quick fix SEO huckster on the other end, just smile, say no thanks,and hang up.

Content Marketing is not a one time quick fix leading to higher search rankings. It requires an ongoing long term plan that allows you to turn your website and other online entities into an ongoing source of quality information. Content cannot be king if you are using services that write regurgitated garbage, spin it, and circulate it around the web.

For several years the local search professionals at Local Goldmine have been talking about content marketing. Google Hummingbird has validated our vision and we would like to offer you a no obligation free consultation. No sales pitches, just straight talk about how you can embrace the changes in local search marketing and make it work for you and your business!