I have a dilemma and I'd like to hear your thoughts.Disclosure. I am not using the exact city keyword in case my enemies hang around here lol.
My Google Maps listing for local SEO shows up first for the keyword “video production Daytona” and its variations.
However, my main page doesn’t rank for that keyword until around position 30. Interestingly, my About page is ranking a little better for that keyword. I’m considering targeting the keyword “video production Florida” as it has a medium difficulty of only 19 but hundreds of monthly searches, while “Daytona” only gets about 10-20 searches. According to Ahrefs free tools, I would only need about 21 plus backlinks to start ranking in the top ten, and my site already has over 30 backlinks with more in progress.
My concern is if I change my main page to target “Florida,” will that impact my local pack SEO, or does the fact that my business location is in “Daytona” won’t affect me showing un on the maps at all? Should I go for it?
TIA
Targeting “video production Florida” on your main page is likely to have a positive impact on your overall SEO, but it might negatively impact your local pack ranking for “video production Daytona.”
Here’s why:
- Google prioritizes relevance: Google prioritizes showing search results that are relevant to the user’s query. Focusing your main page on “video production Florida” signals to Google that your website is not as specialized in Daytona-specific services.
- Local signals are important: Google uses various signals to determine local rankings, including your business address, proximity to the user, and mentions of your city or region. By focusing on “video production Florida,” you’re potentially diluting those local signals.
- Backlinks are only one factor: While backlinks are crucial, they are only one factor in ranking. Other elements like content quality, user experience, and website authority also play a significant role.
Recommendation:
Instead of completely abandoning “video production Daytona,” consider a more strategic approach:
- Maintain local focus: Keep your existing “video production Daytona” keyword on your Google Maps listing and other local pages.
- Target Florida broadly: Optimize your main page for “video production Florida” to attract a wider audience, but also include relevant keywords related to Daytona on that page.
- Create dedicated landing pages: Consider creating separate landing pages for specific locations within Florida, such as Daytona, Orlando, or Tampa. This can help you rank for local keywords while also targeting the broader Florida market.
By balancing your local and broader SEO efforts, you can potentially improve your overall ranking and attract both local and regional customers.