What (1)
SEO is a buzz word that has become very popular. It stands for Search Engine Optimization and has to do with your online presence including, but not limited to: your website, social media, business listings, etc. In this article, we explain the basics of what you need to know about SEO and the different types.

Search Engine Optimization is the process of getting traffic from the “free,” “organic,” “editorial,” or “natural” search results on search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.)

There are 4 major types of SEO you should know. They are Local SEO, Organic, Onsite and Offsite SEO.

1. Local SEO

The practice of building presence based around a geographic location, often a physical business. Results are more driven based on the visitor’s location, calculated based on where they are accessing the website from: So someone who is in Pennsylvania will not get the same results as someone in New Jersey – this can even be specific down to getting different results based on where you are located in the city.

Who is good for Local SEO?
Local SEO is good for businesses with physical store locations. Examples of who would benefit from local SEO are: a pizza shop, local pet store, lawyer’s office, etc.

2. Organic SEO

Revolves around the website, attracting customers more so based on their keyword search no matter where they are located in the world. No so much restricted to businesses who have a physical location, this is good for bloggers, online-only companies, marketers, or services that do not have a definite, physical location.

What’s the difference?
Organic SEO seeks out results based on trusted and relevant content.
Local SEO seeks out results based on relevant and trusted locations.

They won’t have the same position in Search Results.

Local Search Results for pizza:

localseopizza

Organic Search Results for pizza:

organicseopizza

Local SEO position is helped by having your store/company physical information listed many places online, rather than having merely your website linked to by other websites. Having your information listed on numerous websites, let alone prominent ones (think large directories such as Yelp, Yahoo!Local, etc.) makes your location seem more credible to the search engines, thus raising its position in the search results.

3. On-Site SEO

On-Site SEO is done within your website to increase your position in search results. This if often done through the code of the website. This is where things like keywords, meta-data, headings come into play.

4. Off-Site SEO

Off-Site SEO is implemented through third party websites. This is partially where the Local and Organic SEO falls under because it involves applying your business location and information in areas such as directories (which are heavily favored by Google’s algorithms.) Your social media presence also contributes to your Off-Site SEO.

[chrysta-hooper]

[elisha-thomas]