1 Website, 2 Business Names, 2 Locations

[SilhouetteBS]

Vadim, we are using Wordpress, so thank you for the information on the plugins.

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Silhouette,

In that case, then either route would be appropriate (i.e., bring their branding into cohesion on a single website or build out a completely separate website).

[SilhouetteBS]

If they are absolutely not going to to bring their branding into cohesion is the best option to just create a separate contact us page?

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Again,

No - if they want to promote 2 brands, then the best thing would be for them to run two totally separate websites, in my opinion. Promoting two business names on the same website may have negative consequences in terms of Google's ability to parse the information and clients' ability to identify a location with a business name. Hope this helps!

[SilhouetteBS]

So if they are unwilling to do a second website at this time, would it be best to create a contact us page for both locations? If that is the case, when I create social profiles for these companies do I point them to the contact us page accordingly or point them both to the home page?

[MiriamEllis]

Hi Silhouette,

If this was my client and they wouldn't bring their branding into cohesion, nor build a second website, I honestly wouldn't know how to advise them. Their desire to promote two differently branded businesses on the same local website is a recipe for all kinds of trouble, as we've discussed, so there wouldn't be some 'right' way to do what you're asking about. I would tell the client that they will likely end up with a mess on their hands in their citations and ranking failures and that I couldn't work with them if they weren't going to take my advice about this. Remember, this client has hired you because of your ability to advise them. If they won't take the advice, your hands are tied. I'd have a last conversation with them and then, if they couldn't respect the fact that they've hired me for my expertise in this matter, I would drop them. Clients who can't take advice are not good clients.

If there is some kind of problem with funding that is preventing them from immediately building a new website, you could offer to give them 3 months or whatever to accrue this funding, during which time you will do nothing. Don't build any citations for either business or do anything social. Then, when they've got the necessary funding, you could build out the second website, do a thorough citation cleanup campaign and then begin building new citations as needed.

I understand, it can be so frustrating to encounter businesses like this who, because of their thinking, are on the road to potential disaster. But you can't force them to let you help them. If they won't listen, they are kind of setting themselves up to learn from experience. If you drop them now, explaining the reasons why you are doing so, you may very well hear back from them in six months when they realize their results are all messed up.

Hope this helps!

[SilhouetteBS]

OK, I was able to talk them into doing a second website for the 2nd location/company name. Looks like I've got some work to do to get this new site up in the rankings. Thank you for your help.

[MiriamEllis]

Good for you, Silhouette! You've advised the client well. It will be important as you move forward to make sure that the original site no longer references the second location, and then there will be citation cleanup, etc. And be sure you are not duplicating text on the two sites. These need to be two totally distinct websites. Glad to hear the client was willing to see the light of day on this. Way to go!

[SilhouetteBS]

One more question relating to this now that I know we will be doing 2 sites. When choosing a new domain for local SEO I am seeing some mixed reviews on if you should include the city name in the domain name. What are your thoughts?

[MiriamEllis]

Also a good question!

Here's the thing - as you know, Google has recently cracked down on EMDs (exact match domains) pretty heavily in their organic SERPs. Most problems surrounding this related to thin content sites that were getting by largely on the fact that they had keywords in their domain names. In other words, a poor quality site might have ranked well for 'frozen fruit juice', just because the domain name was frozenfruitjuice.com. This was a rather lame situation and the EMD action on Google's part was aimed at cleaning some of this stuff out of the SERPs.

However, it has been noted by several Local SEOs that the EMD penalty didn't seem to strike as hard in the local arena. There is still some thought that having the domain name berkeleychiropactor.com might be helping a site to rank for the search 'berkeley chiropractor'. Because of this, some Local SEOs are still recommending that EMDs be considered, provided that the site being built on the domain is strong - not weak.

My personal opinion is that this isn't a great idea. The writing is on the wall that Google isn't thrilled with EMDs. For local businesses, I like to look at this from a branding perspective and a human perspective. If you are Green Tree Dental, I'd rather see you have greentreedental.com as your domain name. It is true to your brand and instantly recognizable by human visitors. Further, you will have the confidence that it should stand the test of time, in terms of any further penalties Google might choose to roll out. Because of this, I really do prefer going with a domain name that is as close to the business name as possible. I just think it's more natural, and I believe that Google is very into natural these days.

[Adlanera]

My private opinion is that this is not a top-notch idea. The writing is on the wall that Google isn't pleased with EMDs. For local businesses, I like to take a look at this from a branding perspective and a human angle Best Survival Machete. If you're Green Tree Dental, I'd rather see you have greentreedental.Com as your domain call.

[Njnbiure45r4]

Here's the component - as Google has recently cracked down on EMDs (specific in shape domains) quite closely in their natural SERPs. Most issues surrounding this associated with skinny content material Roblox promo codes sites that have been getting with the aid of largely at the fact that they'd key phrases in their domains.