I know for a fact that local search engine optimization works, and works big time. I also know for a fact that many of the businesses that really need it either can’t afford it, or think that they can’t afford it.
I say, they can’t afford not to do it. And, I’m not talking about getting some garbage $350/month off-shore SEO team to do it for you either.
I’ve been thinking really hard about this problem over the last few months, and I’m struggling to come up with a solution. The easiest answer is to give my services to individual companies at a bargain basement cost – but that’s not fair to me (and, eventually, not fair to the business either).
A harder answer is a way to make the practice of Local SEO scale. I know companies like Reach Local do a reasonable job in paid search – but, I believe, properly executed, an SEO campaign can provide better long term returns.
I’m going to try a little experiment this month and see – if I can generate 20 calls for a plumber in the Kansas City area by mid February, then I think I’ll be on to something.