Strategy for Success

Local SEO marketing is a branch of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) focused on ranking well for location-based search queries.

Major search engines like Google and Bing include organic (free) listings for websites and other indexable content (social media pages, videos, PDFs, etc.) based on what their algorithms consider most relevant to a user’s search. A variety of factors influence rankings over time, and we apply proven strategies to help your site achieve strong local visibility.

Below you’ll find many of the methods we use to help websites rank well locally. Unlike many other web design companies, we don’t offer a one-size-fits-all SEO package—every website has unique optimization and marketing needs.

Evaluate, Optimize, and Track

Strong rankings begin with relevant content—your website’s text, images, and other assets must closely match the search terms your audience is using.

SEO is not a gimmick; it’s a process. We focus on ensuring fast load speeds for desktop and mobile, maintaining keyword relevance and density, and securing high-quality directory listings. Our expertise in search engine ranking criteria allows us to make precise edits so your site meets both technical and content-related requirements for better visibility.

Initial Website Evaluation

Every website we build includes our Standard SEO, which covers keyword-optimized titles and descriptions, ADA-compliant alt tags for images, guidance on using keywords in headings and text, basic social media suggestions, and an XML sitemap for indexing.

Our Advanced SEO service goes further.

We use top free SEO tools—many listed on our SEO Resources page—to evaluate and track performance.

For existing sites, we review layout and content for indexability, identify target keywords through industry and competitor research, assess your current keyword usage, and compare your site to top-ranking competitors. We also check business listings, review your social media presence, and assess your marketing content.

Learn more about the factors that influence SEO rankings on our Google SEO ranking factors blog post.

In-depth Evaluation

SEO Evaluation Charts

We connect your website to Google Analytics and Search Console for tracking and evaluation. We check page speed, popular pages, visitor location, device use, and bounce rates. We also look for crawl errors, blocked URLs, broken links, and ensure a sitemap is in place.

Tools like GTMetrix, SEO Minion, WooRank, Ubersuggest, and W3C accessibility checks help us assess everything from image optimization and caching to on-page SEO and mobile readability. For deeper analysis, we offer optional SEMrush reporting for competitor insights, backlink opportunities, and keyword tracking.

From these evaluations, we create a clear plan for improving your site’s performance and visibility.

Tracking and Corrections

Based on our evaluation, we update keywords in page copy and headings, improve meta titles/descriptions, and optimize image alt tags and link titles for both SEO and ADA compliance. For product and service pages, we also rename image files for better search visibility.

If speed is an issue, we can compress images, minify CSS/JavaScript, add caching, and enable GZIP compression. For security, we install professional firewalls, virus scanners, and spam prevention tools. We also assist with social media setup and integration.

We then create and submit an XML sitemap to Google and Bing, and submit your site to top free directories, as listed on our website submission page.

Advanced SEO clients also receive ongoing traffic monitoring and periodic reports covering visitor behavior, traffic sources, and content performance.

Reports and Periodic Adjustments

Once tracking is in place, we evaluate results over several weeks to determine which changes are effective. Additional refinements are made as needed, with enough time allowed between adjustments to measure impact.

Most clients see ranking improvements within a few months. However, ongoing SEO requires adapting to changing trends and search algorithms. We encourage regular blog posts and social media updates to maintain and grow your online presence.

Case Study

We began working with Gilchrist Golf Cars in 2008, first redeveloping their site in XHTML. While simple by today’s standards, it was a major improvement over their previous design and significantly boosted their online presence.

In our client’s words:

I just wanted to let you know that I am very pleased with how the website is working, and I know that the decision to go with you and have the website built professionally was without doubt the best advertising decision I have made. So I look forward to building on that success and make this even better. Thanks for all your hard work.– Derek Gilchrist, Gilchrist Golf Cars.

In 2012, we redeveloped their site again, improving keyword targeting and content quality. Rankings quickly improved, placing them near the top for most relevant searches.

By 2017, we moved them to a responsive WordPress CMS design to improve mobile performance and modernize the layout.

Case Study SEO

In 2019, they opted for our Advanced SEO services, aiming to dominate search results for golf car/cart sales, rentals, and service in Sacramento and surrounding areas.

SEO Changes

We began with a full review of site traffic and visitor behavior using Google Analytics and Search Console. Traffic levels had been steady for years, but bounce rates were increasing and mobile visits were rising—indicating a need for better mobile engagement and service representation.

Our improvement plan included:

  • Highlighting primary services on the home page
  • Page speed optimization for desktop and mobile
  • Rewriting meta tags for improved relevance
  • Optimizing all images with descriptive titles, alt, and description tags
  • Adding targeted content to underperforming pages
  • Improving internal linking between related pages
  • Adding FAQs to boost keyword density and answer common questions
  • Enhancing social media presence
  • Managing online reputation
  • Removing harmful backlinks
  • Updating directory listings

Tracking Progress

We measured results starting in late 2019. By April 2020, traffic had increased significantly, with Google Search Console showing major gains in impressions and clicks compared to the previous year.

SEO Progress Analytics

SEO Performance Graph

Website Ranking

As a result, our client achieved the top Google business listing for their key services in the Sacramento region—surpassing even Yelp for golf car sales.

SEO ranking at Google

Even with some slowdown in rentals due to COVID-19, sales and showroom visits rose sharply thanks to the improved rankings.

Gilchrist Golf Cars has experienced a steady increase in its rankings, a success story highlighted in our case study. To address their predictable seasonal demand, we developed a strategy that included targeted promotions, engaging visual media, and valuable resource content. We are currently building on this foundation by making continuous content improvements to ensure sustained growth.

Google Search Console report of web client
Gilchrist Golf Cars