Links

We like to provide references to other great content related to Local Search as well as help out our friends with great web sites. If you have a site you’d like to see here please send me an email.

Local Search Resources

There are a number of great sites about local search. While we like ours there is plenty of information and glory to go around.

David Mihm- One of the top local search experts. He has a lot of great statistics and analytical information.

Keyword Research Resources

As we have mentioned before, keyword research is an essential element of a successful local search presence. These keyword tools should be in every person’s arsenal who does a web site or local search listing.

Google Keyword Research Tool- This is the primary keyword research tool of them all. Some people feel it’s results are a bit off. That might be true however, it still gives you the lay of the land for one or a number of keywords (and keyword phrases).
Google Keyword Trends- This is a visual view of one or more keywords over time. It really helps to determine the seasonality of selected keywords.
Google Keyword Insights- I like this tool for comparing the geographic performance of keywords. Great when planning PPC campaigns.
Google Search Based Keyword Tool- This tool looks at your site, or any site you select and suggests keywords to further examine.
Google Sets Keyword Tool- This tool takes groups of related keywords and selects more that might offer similar success.
Microsoft Keyword Research Tool- This is Microsoft’s offering. Using the AdCenter resources there are also some other related tools for research.
Keyword Discovery- This is a replacement to the old Overture keyword research tool. Once one of the best research tools it seems to have disappeared after Yahoo acquired Overture.
WordStream Keyword Management- The Free Keyword Tool is continuously updating a database of over a billion of the world’s most popular keywords, aggregating over a trillion unique searches.
Spacky- I learned about this tool from our friends at Cat’s Eye Marketing. Great, simple tool! A real benefit is it shows Google, Yahoo and Bing/MSN searches side by side. There is subtle differences that may be helpful to understand.
Good Keywords- Good Keywords is free Windows software tool from Softnik Technologies for finding the ideal set of keywords for targeting your web pages.

WordPress

It’s no secret, for the vast majority of small businesses WordPress is a great way to manage your website and blog on one Internet property. The basic platform is free and works well. Best of all there are thousands of great applications for WordPress. These are some of my favorite links.

Postscapes- A nice overview of WordPress and how to effectively use it for your business.
Premium Theme Directory- Great directory of premium WordPress themes.
WordPress Tips and Tricks- A great site with excellent tips, tricks and plug-ins for WordPress.

SEO Resources

SEO is important in getting your site found (like getting your business found in local search). Most sites have very week SEO, which is sad considering it’s not all that hard to do a decent job. If you are in a highly competitive niche you will have a challenge ahead of you. However, for smaller niches a little SEO goes a long way. SEO is the gift that keeps on giving!

SEOmoz Internet Marketing Guide- A list of about 100 different SEO tools. A great resource for sure.
Web Site Grader- To check out your site, a web designers site or any site in particular for the strength and effectiveness of their SEO efforts be sure to use this great free tool.
15 Great SEO Tools for Free- A nice collection of different SEO tools. All free to use I believe.
Elance’s Ultimate SEO Toolbox- A list of about a dozen free SEO tools from the eLance blog.
Link Checker- Getting back links is one of the most important SEO tasks. Check and see how you are doing with this tool.

Social Media Tools

Mashable’s Word of Mouth Marketing Tools- A nice list of tools from what I call the list site, Mashable.
Screen Cast Recording Tool for Twitter- Great web based utility from Screenr.

Other Great Sites from Friends and Great Businesses

Of course there are millions of great sites out there. These are a few of our favorites and some of them are by friends of ours. We’re helping them out with a little link love! Please visit them when you have a chance.

Biznik- A great networking group (primarily in Seattle).
Fill the Funnel- From our friend Miles Austin this is a great blog on Web 2.0 tools for sales professionals. Definitely check it out!
Web 2 Review- A directory of more than 2,500 Web 2.0 business tools. Many of them free or very low cost.
IT-2-Channel- My friend George Zervos in the UK helps technology vendors getting channel management in the UK and Europe.
Siteleads- Want a web site that actually draws traffic? After all that’s what it’s there for! Check our friend Liam Scanlan’s work. It’s the best.