Optimize Facebook SEO to Increase Your Local Business

From completing your Facebook business page and connecting with influencers and connectors, to posting compelling and newsworthy content and using Facebook Insights analytics, there are tons of Facebook tips and tactics for business owners to use to create a following to boost leads for their business. And another important tactic we share with our clients and prospects is the importance of honing in on Facebook SEO.

Many business owners mistakenly think that Facebook SEO and external search engine (Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.) SEO are the same thing. But it’s important to understand the distinction between the two when it comes to boosting SEO for your local business. Typically, what works to boost SEO via Facebook for external search engines will also work to boost SEO within Facebook’s internal search engine, but the opposite isn’t always true. And given that many people are using the Facebook search engine to find businesses these days, it’s very important to understand the difference.

To boost internal SEO within Facebook:

1. Be sure to choose the right business category for your local business within Facebook to target the right customers. By doing so, you will be more easily found within Facebook’s search engine when someone searches for your type of business.
2. Use keyword research for posts and status updates. Many think that this will provide external SEO juice, but not so much. However, the internal Facebook search engine will pick up on keywords in your status updates and posts when people conduct a search with those keywords using the Facebook search engine. Don’t go overboard, but do use keywords where appropriate within your Facebook business page.

To boost both internal and external SEO with Facebook:

1. Create a vanity URL. Facebook makes setting up a vanity URL relatively easy, and all you need are 25 Fans on your Facebook business page to do so. You can begin setting up your Facebook vanity URL by following this link: http://www.facebook.com/username/.
2. Use GEO-modifiers. Use location-specific keywords throughout your page where it makes sense, and in particular when setting up your vanity URL, local business description, and your business name. For example, Home Locator Service Minnesota, or Hometown Clothing Resellers Belington, WV 26250.

The only way Facebook will work for you as a local business owner is by stepping up and taking a proactive and consistent approach to creating and updating your business page, and making a page that’s SEO friendly is crucial to your overall success via Facebook. With just a little effort, Facebook can bring a lot of local business to your front door, so start by looking at your Facebook business page and make two adjustments to boost SEO for your local business starting right now!

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Social media to the rescue

In just one day, social media has proven to be a helpful tool in generating tips for homicide detectives.

“Having the post on Facebook and YouTube has definitely generated more tips that have come through,” said Noreen Remtulla, police spokeswoman.

On Thursday, Det. Dan Jones announced the unit would be turning to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as way to generate tips and reach out to a younger audience for a jump in solving homicide cases.

One example of these new tools is a short video posted on YouTube by police that outlines the case of Edmonton’s 32nd homicide of the year.

As of Friday afternoon, one day after its posting, there were almost 300 views on the video that walks viewers through details of the case and includes photos.

Remains of the victim, tentatively identified as 27-year-old Kyle Gayda pending autopsy results, were found in Gayda’s burned-out Chevrolet Impala found half a kilometre west of 156 Street near St. Albert Trail in a field near trees.

The blaze was reported at 2 p.m. last Wednesday.

A Facebook memorial site has been set up for Gayda.

Tracy Ewanchuk joined the group not because she knew Gayda, but rather because she finds the circumstances of his death tragic and wanted to offer her condolences to the family.

“(I) felt I needed to say something,” said Ewanchuk. “Regardless of life’s path, a young death, (and) homicide to boot, is not acceptable and I still care.”

Police said the body was burned beyond recognition and there’s no doubt the blaze was intentionally set with the victim inside the vehicle.

Jones said Gayda was originally from British Columbia, but has been in Edmonton for several years.

To view the video search EPSVideoOnline on YouTube or visit youtube.com/watch?v=1_nDMOtnpCg

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- TIPS or police at 780-423-4567.

jasmine.franklin@sunmedia.ca

@SUNJasmineF

 

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