subject: Improve Seo Through Geocoding [print this page] Local businesses have websites with different maps to market their locations effectively. How are these maps created? How does a map improve search engine optimization? This article will discuss how to improve SEO through improvements in geocoding.
As you surf the Internet, many businesses show pages like "Locations" and "Contact Us." More often than not, they include simple maps with brief descriptions. Some others are more interactive, providing hyperlinks to free mapping software like Google Earth and Google Maps. This allows better viewing experience since they have different layers and features that you can manipulate depending on your preference.
So which is better? A static map or an interactive map? The latter f course! You don't have to spend thousands of dollars just to provide this feature. Again, there are free mapping softwares available online. Google Maps API is an example. Here are some tips so you can effectively use this tool.
1. Sign up with Google Maps API to get the API key needed to transport the map from your domain name.
2. Geocode your address. Wikipedia defines geocoding as "the process of finding associated geographic coordinates (often expressed as latitude and longitude) from other geographic data, such as street addresses, or zip codes (postal codes). With geographic coordinates the features can be mapped and entered into Geographic Information Systems, or the coordinates can be embedded into media such as digital photographs via geotagging." Quite simply, you need to change your business address into latitude and longitude coordinates manually or with the help of software mapping tools. Manual geocoding requires GPS but it is not necessary to purchase a geocoder if you will use it only once. Again you use free geocodes like what Google Maps API offers. Just a down side, this may prove challenging to those who have little knowledge in programming languages.
3. After geocoding, always check the map to ensure that everything is without error.
4. Lastly don't forget to add your business information such as business name, address and contact numbers. These words are needed for search engine optimization. The details will be used to affiliate your website to business directories. Keywords are the backbone of SEO as you may have noticed.
Follow these basic steps and transform your simple business maps to a dynamic and SEO friendly tool.
