Is your local pet business website missing this critical content?

Dog walker Kingston RI local pet business web content
Dog walker Kingston RI local pet business web content
By including the location of this dog walking service, pet owners in Rhode Island can find this business in Google!

Is your local pet business website missing this critical content?

If the mission of your website and/or Facebook efforts is to bring more customers to your local pet business, you may want to give yourself a reality check on the LOCAL aspect of your content.

After all, people in your community use LOCAL phrases to look online for the products and services you offer. They type into Google, Bing and other search engines: “[your town] pet supplies,” “pet groomers in [your town],” or “veterinary care in [your town].” Since search engines need to SEE the location information in your website text and other online marketing content (your blog, social media and YouTube videos), these basic phrases need to be included on every page if possible.

Seems like a no brainer, right?

Well, sadly, MOST local pet businesses forget to put their location in their web content. I recently audited nearly 100 different local pet business sites and found that many of them were missing their location or the area they serve. Plus I get calls from small local businesses, asking why they aren’t showing up in search engine results. I take one look at their sites and I can’t find their location… or it’s buried on only a single page of the site. I have to ask, “Where are you?”

If I have to ask this question to a local business, that’s a serious problem because Google won’t list that business in local search results. Luckily, it’s easy to fix. Here’s how in 5 easy steps.

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Simple steps for easy pet business content marketing in 2013

Pet Marketing Calendar Template

Did January slip by before you created your pet marketing strategies to engage prospects with content, such as blog posts, news items, Facebook posts and so on? Well, it’s not too late!

You may be thinking, “Ugh. Something else I have to plan out.” But you can keep it easy with an editorial calendar that helps you schedule your content and avoid writer’s block. All you need to do is this:

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Pet Internet Marketing: It’s a Dog Eat Blog world

A few blog posts ago, I talked about the incredible power and value of using a blog to market your pet business website. It really is true that blogs can move your web pages up in search results while also positioning you as a helpful guide in your business category.

That’s why I call it a “Dog Eat Blog” world. The pet businesses and veterinary practices that blog get more attention online (if they follow a few simple guidelines). And those who don’t… well… sell themselves short.

But don’t take my word for it.

Here are three strong reasons to look at blogging as a fantastic strategy for your pet business.

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Simple Blog Guidelines for Pet Business or Veterinary Practice Marketing

If you’re using a blog to market your pet business or veterinary practice, you’ll be happy to know there’s an easy formula for great results, which means better search engine rankings, more traffic and more sales.

Using the following formula last fall, I started blogging tips for a pet-business services company, and just after 6 blog posts — voila! The blog appeared on page one, second spot in Google results. Not bad for only 6 posts.

Would you like to generate results like this for your pet business or veterinary practice marketing?

Try these “best practices” guidelines and see what happens.

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The Golden Retriever Blogging Approach for Pet Business Marketing

Golden Retrievers are big, lovable creatures. They greet you with utter joy and share their warmth, plus they’re eager to please. They’ll fiercely loyal, no matter what. And they’ll fetch just about anything for you. What’s not to love, right?

But what do Golden Retrievers have to do with successful blogging for your pet business? Everything.

Golden Retriever Blogging for Pet Business Marketing
Mimosa the Golden Retriever pup. Thanks to Lee Schwarz for this lovely photo.

The unwritten credo of Golden Retrievers is this: I love everybody and I live to please.

The best business blogs have a similar credo: I care about my customers, and I’m focused on pleasing them by solving their needs.

If your pet business or veterinary practice blog follows that credo, you’ll improve your search engine results, attract more prospects and build a loyal following. Ultimately, this will help you grow your business.

Here’s how to think of this in a Golden Retriever way: Your blog posts will work very well if you…

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How do your pet business prospects find your site?

Are people looking for your dog bowls… or do they call them dog dishes?

Are pet owners searching for a great pet throw, or do they call it a blanket or car seat cover?

And are pet parents searching for a local veterinary hospital, clinic or practice? Or perhaps it’s an animal hospital or clinic… or veterinarian hospital, clinic, etc.)

When you write your pet business web content to attract the people who seek your products or services, be sure to focus on the key phrases THEY use.

This is critical for two reasons, whether you’re marketing to pet owners, veterinarians or other pet businesses.

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