Keyword tracking- Local

[TammyWood]

Silly question about Local ranking monitors.

If I have a local client in Pheonix, AZ and I want to track rankings for keywords. Is it best to monitor city+keyword or just keyword?

I have ran tests with multiple clients and locations, and cannot ascertain the difference- as far as rankings go. I appreciate all input.

[JMacSupply]

I would definitely monitor city+keyword.

[AppointmentPlus]

Google has geotargeting enabled for everyone searching on google.

What does Geotargeting mean?

1. Potential customers/clients might search for a "dentist" and not type in "phoenix" however google knows that they are in phoenix so google provides search results as if you typed in "dentist in phoenix."

For local search terms, always use the keyword + city. In some cases, there are multiple cities with the same name in different states. In that instance, monitor keyword + city + state, spell the state out or use initials.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Tammy,

Your question isn't at all silly. What are you using to track local rankings? What tool? Or are you doing this manually?

Do bear in mind that there is no authoritative, set ranking for any local business. Why? Because Google personalizes the results for all users. So, what you see ranking #1 on your computer in your location may not be what I see ranking #1 for this term. Though you can get a relative idea of rankings, you can't really get an exact idea, making it important to educate clients on the fact that other metrics are a better gauge of marketing results. Traffic and conversions really matter! Rankings matter, too, of course, but not as much as phones ringing.

[Ron_McCabe]

Tammy,

First of all this is not a silly question, it is very astute. The problem/opportunity is that the search engines are in transition and location is just one consideration on your ranking in any given search.  The answer depends on what your ultimate goals are as well as where your client is at now.

What I have observed is that long tailed key words like SEO Phoenix are in relative terms easier than general terms.  As you improve your ranking factors in general relative to your local competition you will start showing up higher in the rankings. As these other factors improve more you will start showing up everywhere on more and more general terms.

So if your goal is just local listings just track the long tailed key words. If your goal is to rule the rankings universe on the searches your client wants I would track the general terms as well as the more specific long tail strings for your area.

because of my own megalomania issues I always track both ;).

Ron

[TammyWood]

Excellent answers, thank you everyone.

1. Currently using Myseotool ( and Moz of course) - Myseotool allows you to set the 'city, region' when you have a campaign.

2. Yes, I STRESS to the clients that rankings are essentially eye candy and not much more, that traffic and conversions are the most important. But, as with most clients, they are determined to look at rankings.

3. I understand geo targeting and expect it - as well as personal results based on user intent and previous searches. I have also explained this phenomenon to the clients, but not sure 100% of them get it or recognize the fact.

4. While world domination is on my list, over 70 of the clients are dentists, so local is by far the most important. I do find the longer tail keywords to be easier when combined with a local G+ place optimized - yet have a few that will show up in National rankings, which is what made me ponder.

Thank you again, these are all awesome answers- I heart Mozzers!

[Ron_McCabe]

Tammy,

As a side note something I am doing in the Chiropractic and horticultural space is doing you tube videos and pictures with good key words.  This seems to shoot up in the rankings higher.  Especially if you have authorship set up.  I would also suggest virtual seminars on Google Air that are saved to Youtube.  These are great ways to get top rankings on harder key word sets. Another simple thing is to do a quick presentation in Presenter(powerpoint) with voice overs and export to video.  Either of these can be done on a fairly small budget and they get good results.

Ron

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Tammy,

A couple of suggestions.

1. You might want to check out Whitespark's Local Rank Tracker (see: https://www.whitespark.ca/rank-tracker). The creator, Darren Shaw, is extremely Local-aware.

2. If you are in the dental space, you might like to follow Linda Buquet, if you aren't already doing so. Linda used to be a specialist in Local SEO for dentists before she started her forum (see: http://localsearchforum.catalystemarketing.com/) and she often shares good tips related to this.

Hope this helps! Dentists are really nice clients, in my experience. It's a nice market in which to specialize!

[TammyWood]

Very nice, thank you!

[TammyWood]

Excellent thank you so much!

[KeriMorgret]

Hi Tammy,

We now have local ranking tracking! Check out the information over at http://moz.com/blog/local-rankings-in-moz-analytics.