How do we get higher on search results?
- Use keywords in url of pages
- Use keywords in title tag (keeping it below 65 characters including spaces)
- Use Keywords in H1
- Use keywords in a natural way within the actual content of the page
- Use keywords in when linking between pages of your website
Don't keep using the same keyword every time, though. You will want to change it up each time you use it. So, if your phrase is "Auto Body Melbourne, FL, " you will want to use other phrases like "body shop in Melbourne," and "Melbourne auto body." Also through in part names like headlights, windshield, etc. Google looks at the context of a page to determine what its about, so words like this help reinforce that idea.
Some of your keywords:
Auto Body Melbourne FL - 16 searches/month
Auto Body Shop Melbourne FL - 12 searches/month
How do we get more local hits?
A lot of people already have a repair facility they work with, so the opportunity to gain traffic organically can be pretty minimal. So, I'd suggest looking at PPC, display advertising, blogging, social media and other forms of internet marketing. That way you can build up your own brand.
How do we come before other shops with similar name / agenda?
- Local SEO can definitely help with this. To fully utilize this you will want to claim your Google Places page, create a Google+ business page and blend them together. After that you will want to fully optimize it with pictures, a video or two and fully fill out the whole profile. After this point Google looks at things like distance from city center, consistency of your information online (always use the same address and phone number) and total number and quality of citations. Citations are things like Yelp, Yellowpages, etc.
What sort of additional information (if any) should be added to the site?
- A staff page can be really beneficial. Having a face can help build trust. I'd also have a great "About Us" page that really explains the history of your company, and can communicate the passion that you have for auto body repair. Other things to consider are testimonials, and making it as easy as possible to find your contact information.
Just some general tips:
- Rename your pages so that you use actual words in your urls. This will help both Google and people determine what your page is about from the search engine.
- Add more internal links on your site that use keywords
- Add an address in the header of the website
- Have contact forms with a call to action like "Free Estimates"
