Question about keyword analysis

[ZiaTG]

I am working on a keyword analysis for a range of keywords. I want to target these keywords in the Denver market. I know if you search google for something like "IT Support" and you are located in Denver it knows where you are and caters the results to be more Denver IT Support oriented. I did notice that those results are different than if you search for "Denver IT Support"

My pages are optimized for the Denver market and the keyword like "IT Support" but I am  a bit confused on how I should be doing my research into keywords.

Should I be putting Denver into all my keyword analysis research even though I still want to rank for just the keyword when they are searching from the Denver area.

I hope this all makes sense. I guess I just need some guidance on how to deal with the location specifics of my keywords.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[BenFox]

Hi Steve,

I think it's possible for you to do both. Conduct your research as if you want to rank for both [IT support] and [Denver IT support] and group those terms onto the same page.

Then optimize the page to put emphasis on the generic term. So in this example your title tag would be something like "It Support in Denver - Steve Sequenzia". That way you're hitting both possible avenues.

My only concern with this would be CTR from the SERPs and whether people who type in [IT support] really want a local firm or a local branch of a national firm. I'd probably run a couple of short tests using geo-targeted PPC to see which types of ads get the most interest.

Hope that helps.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Steve,

The important thing to understand is that there is not currently a KW research tool that gives accurate data on geographic terms. Maybe someday, but for now, the KW research process involves mainly searching for your product/service/informational terms and then adding in the geo phrases. Because you are in Denver (a major city) you will get some KW data with 'denver' included, but I wouldn't consider it totally accurate.

That out of the way, yes, the results are typically slightly different for people searching from a Denver IP address vs. people using 'Denver' in the search phrase. They are not usually wildly different, but there is definitely some variation.

If your clients are in Denver, you need not be overly concerned about this, because Google will typically identify them as Denver based and show them Denver results regardless of whether they use a geo-modifier or not. In optimizing your website, follow the basic example Ben has given. Include 'Denver' in the titles, headers, copy, etc. of your core pages and city landing pages and you will be doing what is customary. You are not attempting to compete for IT Support nationally; you are trying to compete locally, so those geo terms are critical for you.

Hope this clarifies things, but if my answer brings up more questions on your part, don't hesitate to ask.

[ZiaTG]

Ben & Miriam thanks for the help. Very useful information.

I have a better understanding now. I will continue to optimize on Denver and the keywords. I will also runs some geo-targeted PPC.

Thanks again!

[MiriamEllis]

Great, Steve. So glad you found the explanations helpful. Good luck with your campaign!