[local seo] How to compete against e.g. yellowpages on Google Rank 1 - 4?

[gooddy]

Hi Folks,

How to compete against the big SEO-powered pages like Yellowpages in the SERPs?

I mean, they have thousands of Rd -> Rd Links as well as super Page and Domain Authority.

How has a let's say Dentist or Electrician a decent chance to compete against those? Does Google give credit to them because of the Content they have on their page?

These yellowpages totally take the fun out of it for my clients.

Answeres would really much appreciated. Thank you.

For me it feels like Don Quijote.

[magicrob]

Sure, you can compete. Do Google Places listings show in the results for these local search queries?

[EGOL]

Do not fear these websites if you compete in a local niche.

First get your site into Google Places for business... read some of their success stories such as the one about Lil' Piddlers

http://www.google.com/placesforbusiness/success_lilpiddlers.html

That will get you on the places map. Here is an example.

Then broadcast to google that you are located in YourTown, FL by placing your address in the footer of your site and mentioning your physical address and local phone number generously where it fits into your site.

Then seek links from websites that are located in your community such as your landlord, chamber of commerce, community directories, business associations, tourism groups, local bloggers, local directory sites, newspaper, your Mom's blog, charities where you donate, clubs where you are a member.

Then seek links from websites in your industry such as dental associations, your dental school, professional associations, dental directories.

Now you have local link assets and industry assets that are out of reach for YellowPages and these other database sites. These should give you strength in the "yourindustry yourcity" organic SERPs.

[gooddy]

Thank you for your kind and encouraging answeres.

I will go that way and see how long it takes.

Awesome Forum!

[Bsalva]

So how did it go? I'm fighting these battles a lot now. For a lot of my smaller clients the SERP is filled almost entirely with Yellowpages, Superpages, Yelp, {insert random directory}

I have managed to make decent progress for one of the tougher local subjects "bail bonding". We're now doing quite well and have #1 spots for most of our targeted words. It was easier than expected.  A couple good links was all it took.