Comments on: Improving Local Standings via Relevancy (my hat is off to Bill Slawski)

By: Mike Blumenthal

Mike Blumenthal — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 13:59:35 +0000

Dean-

Thanks for your support. Writing this blog has been a fun ride.

I look at the “year of local search” a little differently. As you say it has been the “year of local search” for several years now and the truth is, it has been ….. for those industries that have benefited from local searching (see http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=43 ).

Like all embrionic markets, this market as it matures will benefit more and more industries and trades. It is a cycle of growing benefit as businesses put their information in a format that users can find and users search for business goods and services that they need. As customers & businesses both develop the habits necessary for this to happen it will continue to grow.

In this chaotic current state there are best practices (see http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=40) that professional web folks will implement if for no other reason than they require little effort and will benefit the client over the long haul.

I also believe that there is opportunity in this confusion (see http://blumenthals.com/blog/?p=42 ) for those professionals that want to explore the possiblities.

By: Dean @ Sachi Studio

Dean @ Sachi Studio — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 06:24:34 +0000

Let me also chime in with Bill and Dave and congratulate you, Mike. While I remain skeptical that 2007 will be the year for local search [we've been saying that for a couple years], I do believe SEOers [word?]like yourself, who focus on localized search are building a first movers and eventually a competitive advantage.

There is so little competition out there. Most of my work is in web design and I’m definitely looking to pick up some localized SEO clients because competition is not as heavy.

Keep up the good work.

Dean

By: Earlpearl

Earlpearl — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 20:14:25 +0000

Mike:

Congratulations on the nomination.

Dave

By: Cincinnati Search Engine Optimization Professionals | SearchDaddy.com

Cincinnati Search Engine Optimization Professionals | SearchDaddy.com — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 14:38:27 +0000

[...] Local Search – I believe too that this will be the year for local search. There has been enough attention in the media recently, and we have seen a change in the kinds of customers that come through our door; SEO is enough of a word out there these days that people have realized that local search is where it’s at! Combine that with the Mobile Search efforts and you have the makings of an unbeatable marketing strategy. [...]

By: Bill

Bill — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 18:43:23 +0000

I was quite happy to see your site listed amongst those nominated. Congratulations, and I hope that your local clients appreciate the insights you’ve provided and impact that you’ve made with your posts about local search.

Cheers.