How to Increase Local Traffic

1. Use search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to maximize your profile within a designated area through the use of keywords. Think like your potential customers, and anticipate the words they would use in a search engine if they were looking for a local company that offers your services. Include your service and the name of the local area in keywords, such as 'Builders in California' or 'Texas Dentists,' to increase your chances of attracting traffic from search engines. Use the keywords at a density of approximately 3.5 percent on your website pages for maximum effect.

2. Use article marketing techniques to place your company in the eyes of prospective customers with increased regularity. Employ a professional article writer with strong SEO skills to complete the articles on your behalf and ensure the content has a direct association with the products or services you provide. Check to ensure the articles include your chosen keywords, and register them on article directory websites that include links back to your own website. Avoid using writers who flood their articles with keywords instead of using readable, creative content; some search engines penalize this type of 'Black Hat' activity.

3. Build links to your website by registering with business directories that promote the services of local companies. Compile a list of prospective directories, and find out which ones rank on the first pages of the major search engines. Prepare to pay a small annual fee for a directory listing, and talk to business directory sales representatives to find how much extra traffic similar companies are attracting. Ask whether you can pay an additional fee that puts you on the first page of the directory.

4. Join online forums whose members will have a direct interest in your products and services, then add a signature to your posts using the facility provided on the membership control panel. Check to ensure the signature includes a link that takes forum members directly to your website. Use local community forums to attract a wider range of potential customers. If you are offering a specific service, such as auto body repairs, register to as many local automotive forums as possible.