Local SEO Services
Local SEO is a game of it's own. Not only do website owners have the ability to rank organically but they can also rank using Google Places listings. These listings provide a link to a companies website, reviews and address and contact information. Using proper Local SEO Services can help improve website rankings and drive more traffic which then can lead to more sales and better company branding. And yes, small businesses can benefit from local seo from the plumber all the way up to the doctor or lawyers.
How Much Does Local SEO Cost?
Generally local SEO services cost anywhere from 300-1000 dollars a month. Be weary of companies who offer services sub 100 dollars per month. They are most likely using spammy link techniques with automated software. That is the only way they can really get you rankings while turning a profit. However, using spammy software runs a high risk of getting your website penalized. If your website gets penalized for spammy techniques your site may NEVER recover. Now that is truly a terrible investment and will possibly require you to start a brand new website from scratch and start over.
How Long Does It Take To Get On The First Page?
It really depends on the competition of the industry. In most cases it takes anywhere from 1-6 months. Several factors also contribute to how fast your rank such as how old your website currently is, do any other websites currently link to you, if your website is out dated, if you have any kind of penalties currently from search engines and so fourth. Generally, if your website is already 6 months old you will have an advantage to ranking. Brand new sites will take longer because you need to gain trust with Google due to the fact your website is well.... brand new compared to your competitors.
Can I do Local SEO Myself?
Of course you can do SEO yourself, however if you are a business owner you realize how important your time is. SEO is a time consuming process that requires expertise in the industry. If you have time to spend countless hours learning SEO and several hours per month implementing it then by all means go ahead. However, if you want trained professionals looking for an SEO firm is sometimes a better option.