A New Orleans Search Engine Marketing Firm Can Help Improve Your Local Online Visibility

Search engine marketing (SEM) is one of those topics that everyone seems to know a little bit about.  People seem to understand that when they go to a search engine like Google or Yahoo they expect to find "relevant" results for the search phrase they type in.   In other words when you type in "painting contractor in New Orleans" thats exactly what you hope to find.

Why is this important?  The answer is simple – because for most consumers their search for a business starts online.  Most industry reports estimated that between 60 – 75% of consumers are using some sort of local or geo-targeted search phrase such as “New Orleans” when looking for a business.

This is good news for local businesses – especially in the New Orleans area.  Generally speaking, online competition for “New Orleans” related local search phrases is relatively low compared to other major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles.  For instance, a search for phrases such as “painting contractor in New Orleans” produces organic results geared largely around directories.  The same search with “Los Angeles” shows a different story – a first page full of local businesses that have optimized for local search.

Improve Your Online Visibility, Be Found Locally

Focusing on local search can be a great way to improve your online visibility where it counts - in front of your potential clients.  And depending on the competition level in your particular industry this may be a strategy that produces tangible results in a relatively short time frame.  Generally speaking search engine marketing firms will work with your business in one of 3 ways to help you improve your local online visibility:

• Paid search - Pay per click (PPC) offers the most immediate impact as they can be setup and activated relatively quickly.  Most online advertising programs allow you to determine the geographic areas that your ad will display, referred to as geo-targeting.  For example, if you paint homes only in the New Orleans area your SEM firm can set the campaign to only display your ads in front of internet users who appear to be searching for something in and around metro New Orleans.
  
   
• Search engine optimization - SEO work generally takes more time to show results.  However with lower competition levels for localized phrases in your market you should start to see SEO results in much less time than say a national campaign.  Following our painter example - if you paint homes in New Orleans you want your site optimized to show up for local, New Orleans related painting search phrases.
  
   
• Social media exposure - Social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and LInkedIn are great ways to gain exposure for a local business.  Ask your customers to post reviews and network with others to gain exposure for local search traffic.

Search Engine Marketing Expertise Benefits All Types of Businesses

Hiring a local search engine marketing firm for your New Orleans area business is not just for big companies anymore.  As more and more businesses realize that the search process is starting online they are diverting more of their marketing budget to online activities and away from traditional marketing. This includes nonprofit organizations as well who rely on their branded image and fundraising to survive.  In fact many nonprofit organizations and churches have turned to website design and online advertising services in an effort to better meet the needs of their clients.  Even though New Orleans is not generally known as a "high tech" area, this trend of embracing search engines has finally made its way "down to the bayou."

If you are considering hiring a local, New Orleans based firm to handle search engine marketing for your business please email us at andre@mywsiconsultant.com.  We can help you tailor a plan to fit your business goals and budget that will increase your online visibility where it counts – in front of your potential customers.