November 19, 2024 • 11 mins
Unlock the secrets to crafting compelling SEO titles that can transform your local business's online presence. How can a brand-first approach in your title structure align you with Google's trust-building practices? We promise you'll learn how to strategically sequence your brand, category, city, and state to match the precision of Wikipedia, ensuring your location data is spot-on. Discover the art of aligning Google Business Profiles with website titles, and why moving from keyword stuffing to topic-focused titles is game-changing. Elevate your SEO game by understanding user intent and how it shifts the order to prioritize product or service, location, and then brand.
The digital landscape is ever-changing, and staying ahead requires continuous learning and adaptability. Embrace a curious mindset and adopt a data-driven approach to stand out from the competition. We explore strategies for keeping informed and leveraging resources to enhance your online presence, ensuring your business thrives in today's competitive market. Remember, Rainmaker Reputation is here to guide you, providing personalized insights and support on your SEO journey. This episode is packed with actionable insights and strategies to empower you to navigate the complexities of SEO marketing with confidence.
Read our blog post the podcast episode is discussing here: https://rainmakerreputation.com/post/what-is-the-best-seo-optimized-title-for-your-local-brand
Find out more about Rainmaker Reputation AI CRM at https://rainmakerreputation.com
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey everyone and welcome back to the Rainmaker's
Edge Perspective.
Today, we're taking a deep diveinto something that can really
make or break your onlinepresence.
We're talking SEO titles.
Whether you're a seasoneddigital marketer or you're just
starting out, getting this rightis absolutely crucial for local
businesses and that's you guys.
So let's unpack this.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Absolutely.
You know how much we valuedata-driven strategies here at
Rainmaker Reputation.
Well, when it comes to SEO,your title is like that first
impression it can really makeall the difference.
Okay, so first impressionsmatter, got it.
(00:42):
But what makes it?
And honestly, it's probablysimpler than you think.
For local businesses, the mosteffective structure is a pretty
straightforward formula.
It's brand, category, city,state.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
Brand, category, city , state Got it.
But why that order?
Wouldn't it make more sense tolead with what you do, like
Plumber Joe's Plumbing AnytownUSA?
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Yeah, that's a great question and it really
highlights a commonmisconception.
The brand first order is aboutaligning with how Google reads
and displays search results,especially for local searches.
Think about it Google wants toestablish trust and authority.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
And your brand name is, like that initial identifier
, interesting.
So it's almost like Googlesaying OK, here's a known entity
, let's see what they do andwhere they do it.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Precisely.
Let's take Rainmaker Reputationas a perfect example.
Our ideal title structure wouldbe Rainmaker Reputation AI CRM
software, austin, texas.
It's clear, concise and tellsboth Google and potential
customers exactly what they needto know right up front.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
That makes sense.
Now let's talk about location,because for local businesses,
that's everything.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Oh, I couldn't agree more.
And here's a little secretweapon for you Pay attention to
how your city and state areformatted on Wikipedia.
Google actually uses Wikipediafor location accuracy, so
matching that format exactly iskey.
Wait, seriously, wikipedia islike the SEO Oracle.
Well, it plays a huge role.
Let's say Wikipedia lists yourcity as St Louis, missouri.
(02:03):
That's the exact format youshould use in your title no
abbreviations, no variations.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
That's a fantastic tip.
So we've got our title aligningwith Google's brand-first
approach and we're mirroringWikipedia for location accuracy.
What else do we need toconsider?
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Your Google business profile, or GBP as most people
call it.
The category you've selectedthere should match the category
in your title.
Consistency across your onlinepresence is a major trust signal
for Google.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Ah, so everything's working together.
Website title GBP Wikipedia.
It's like creating this unifiedfront for Google to see.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Exactly.
And you know what's reallygreat?
Google often suggests acategory for you right within
your GBP.
They're practically handing youpart of that perfectly
optimized title on a silverplatter.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Okay, so that's for our main website in GBP.
What about other pages on oursite, like blog posts or those
specific service pages?
Do those titles follow the sameformula?
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Well, that's where things get a bit more nuanced.
For organic pages, you know,those that aren't directly tied
to your GBP, we kind of flippedthe script a bit.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Okay, I'm intrigued.
Tell me more.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
For organic pages, user intent becomes the most
important thing.
Think about what someone mighttype into Google when they're
searching for your specificproduct or service.
That's what needs to be frontand center in your title.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
So instead of brand category location, we go product
service location brand.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
You got it.
It's all about putting thatuser's needs first.
Let's say you're a bakery inChicago.
An optimized title for a blogpost about wedding cakes might
be Wedding Cakes, chicago,illinois, your bakery name.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
That makes so much sense.
You're speaking directly tosomeone who's actively searching
for wedding cakes in Chicago,and then you're introducing your
brand as a solution.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Exactly.
It's all about understandinghow Google thinks and
anticipating what your targetaudience is looking for.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
So we've talked about the ideal title structure, the
importance of location accuracyand tailoring our approach for
different types of pages.
But what about keywords?
Do we still need to cram thosein there?
Speaker 2 (04:03):
That's a great question, and it's actually
where things get reallyinteresting.
You see, google's evolved.
It's gone beyond simplymatching keywords.
It's more about understandingthe topic your page is covering.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Okay.
So instead of stuffing my titlewith every variation of
plumbing services imaginable, Ineed to think bigger.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Exactly.
Think of it this way Plumbingservices is a keyword, but
residential plumbing solutionsis a topic.
It covers a wider range of userintent.
It allows your page to rank formore diverse searches.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
So by focusing on topics, we're essentially
casting a wider net andincreasing our chances of
showing up in those relevantsearches.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Precisely, and here's where it gets even more
fascinating.
This approach aligns perfectlywith how Google's algorithms are
designed to crawl andunderstand websites.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
Crawl like little Google spiders are scurrying
through my website.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
Not literally spiders , but you get the idea.
Think of it as these littlebots.
They're scanning your content,trying to figure out what it's
all about.
By avoiding keyword stuffingand focusing on clear,
topic-driven titles, you'remaking their job easier.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
So it's not just about ranking high, it's about
making it as easy as possiblefor Google to understand and
index my website correctly.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
That's the key.
By screenlining your titles andeliminating unnecessary
repetition, you're clearing thepath for Google to recognize
your expertise and yourauthority on a given topic.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
This is eye opening.
It's like we're speakingGoogle's language by aligning
our titles with theirunderstanding of topics.
But how do we know what topicsare most relevant for our
business and our audience?
Speaker 2 (05:37):
That's where good old-fashioned research comes in.
Think about the problems yourideal customer is facing.
What language are they usingwhen they're searching for
solutions?
Online Tools like Google Trendsand keyword research tools can
help you identify trendingtopics in your industry.
And, of course, there's alwaysthe option of working with an
experienced SEO professional,someone who can guide you
through the process.
(05:57):
Mark MIRCHANDANI.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Right, and speaking of SEO professionals, there's
someone I'm really excited totalk about today, Bradley Benner
.
He's known for his data-drivenapproach to SEO and for
challenging conventional wisdomwith real-world testing.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Ah yes, bradley's a true innovator in the field.
His work is all about movingbeyond guesswork and using data
to back up SEO strategies.
He meticulously tests differenttitle structures, analyzes the
results and then shares hisfindings with the community.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
That sounds like the Rainmaker way always testing and
refining based on data.
What kind of insights hasBradley uncovered through his
experiments?
Speaker 2 (06:32):
One of his most compelling discoveries revolves
around the importance of payingattention to how Google displays
search results.
He found that even subtlevariations in title structure
can significantly impactclick-through rates.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Wow.
So it's not just about rankinghigh, it's about standing out in
those search results andenticing people to click on your
link.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Exactly.
By understanding the nuances ofhow Google presents information
to users, you can optimize yourtitles to not only rank well,
but to attract attention.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
So we're talking about things like bolding
certain keywords or using emojisin our titles.
What are some of the specifictactics that Bradley has found
effective?
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Well, he doesn't advocate for gimmicks like
emojis, but he does emphasizethe strategic use of power,
words and phrases that resonatewith your target audience.
For example, instead of justsaying CRM software, you might
test a title like best CRM forsmall businesses or CRM
solutions to boost your sales.
It's all about crafting titlesthat speak directly to the
(07:31):
user's needs and pain points.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
That's really insightful.
It's almost like we need tothink of our SEO titles as mini
marketing campaigns inthemselves.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
That's a great way to put it.
You're not just informingGoogle, you're also persuading
potential customers to chooseyou, and Bradley's work proves
that even small tweaks can makea big difference.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
This is fantastic stuff, but before we get too
carried away with all theseexciting strategies, let's bring
it back to our listeners.
What are the key takeaways?
What should they keep in mindas they work on optimizing their
own SEO titles?
Speaker 2 (07:59):
I think the most important takeaway is this SEO
is a constantly evolving field.
What worked yesterday might notwork tomorrow.
Google is constantly tweakingits algorithms and we need to
stay.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
Right.
It's not a set it and forget itsituation.
We need to be willing to test,analyze and adjust our
strategies over time.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
Exactly, but there are some timeless principles
that remain crucial Understandyour target audience, focus on
relevant topics, align yourtitles with both user intent and
Google's understanding of yourwebsite and, of course, never
underestimate the power ofdata-driven decision making.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Those are excellent points.
So, as we wrap up this deepdive into SEO titles, I have a
challenge for all of youlistening.
Take a look at your website'spage titles With a fresh
perspective.
Ask yourself are these titlesoptimized for how Google thinks
now?
Are they clear, concise andcompelling?
Do they accurately reflect thetopics my business covers and,
(08:56):
most importantly, are theyenticing users to click and
learn more?
Speaker 2 (08:59):
That's a powerful call to action.
It's so easy to get caught upin the day-to-day of running a
business, but taking the time toreview and refine your SEO
titles, it can really have asignificant impact on your
online visibility and,ultimately, your bottom line.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
Exactly.
Remember, even small tweaks canmake a big difference.
Maybe you need to update yourlocation format to match
Wikipedia, or perhaps it's timeto shift your focus from
keywords to broader topics.
Or maybe, just maybe, you'lldiscover a hidden gem, a power
phrase that resonates perfectlywith your target audience.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
And don't be afraid to experiment.
Try out different titlestructures, track your results,
see what works best for yourspecific business and industry.
The beauty of SEO is that it'sa continuous learning process.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Couldn't agree more.
So, as we wrap up this deepdive into SEO titles, I want to
leave you with this Stay curious, stay adaptable and never stop
learning.
The world of SEO is constantlyevolving, but by staying
informed and embracing adata-driven approach, you can
ensure your local businessstands out in the ever-growing
digital landscape.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
And remember we're here to support you on your SEO
journey.
Check out the resourcesavailable on the Rainmaker
Reputation website and feel freeto reach out to our team If you
have any questions or needpersonalized guidance.
We're always happy to helplocal businesses like yours
thrive online.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
That's right.
Thanks for diving deep with ustoday on the Rainmakers Edge
Perspective.
We'll catch you next time withmore insights and strategies to
help you stay ahead of the curvein the world of marketing
technology.
Hey everyone and welcome back to the Rainmaker's
Edge Perspective.
Today, we're taking a deep diveinto something that can really
make or break your onlinepresence.
We're talking SEO titles.
Whether you're a seasoneddigital marketer or you're just
starting out, getting this rightis absolutely crucial for local
businesses and that's you guys.
So let's unpack this.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Absolutely.
You know how much we valuedata-driven strategies here at
Rainmaker Reputation.
Well, when it comes to SEO,your title is like that first
impression it can really makeall the difference.
Okay, so first impressionsmatter, got it.
(00:42):
But what makes it?
And honestly, it's probablysimpler than you think.
For local businesses, the mosteffective structure is a pretty
straightforward formula.
It's brand, category, city,state.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
Brand, category, city , state Got it.
But why that order?
Wouldn't it make more sense tolead with what you do, like
Plumber Joe's Plumbing AnytownUSA?
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Yeah, that's a great question and it really
highlights a commonmisconception.
The brand first order is aboutaligning with how Google reads
and displays search results,especially for local searches.
Think about it Google wants toestablish trust and authority.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
And your brand name is, like that initial identifier
, interesting.
So it's almost like Googlesaying OK, here's a known entity
, let's see what they do andwhere they do it.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Precisely.
Let's take Rainmaker Reputationas a perfect example.
Our ideal title structure wouldbe Rainmaker Reputation AI CRM
software, austin, texas.
It's clear, concise and tellsboth Google and potential
customers exactly what they needto know right up front.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
That makes sense.
Now let's talk about location,because for local businesses,
that's everything.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Oh, I couldn't agree more.
And here's a little secretweapon for you Pay attention to
how your city and state areformatted on Wikipedia.
Google actually uses Wikipediafor location accuracy, so
matching that format exactly iskey.
Wait, seriously, wikipedia islike the SEO Oracle.
Well, it plays a huge role.
Let's say Wikipedia lists yourcity as St Louis, missouri.
(02:03):
That's the exact format youshould use in your title no
abbreviations, no variations.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
That's a fantastic tip.
So we've got our title aligningwith Google's brand-first
approach and we're mirroringWikipedia for location accuracy.
What else do we need toconsider?
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Your Google business profile, or GBP as most people
call it.
The category you've selectedthere should match the category
in your title.
Consistency across your onlinepresence is a major trust signal
for Google.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Ah, so everything's working together.
Website title GBP Wikipedia.
It's like creating this unifiedfront for Google to see.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Exactly.
And you know what's reallygreat?
Google often suggests acategory for you right within
your GBP.
They're practically handing youpart of that perfectly
optimized title on a silverplatter.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Okay, so that's for our main website in GBP.
What about other pages on oursite, like blog posts or those
specific service pages?
Do those titles follow the sameformula?
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Well, that's where things get a bit more nuanced.
For organic pages, you know,those that aren't directly tied
to your GBP, we kind of flippedthe script a bit.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Okay, I'm intrigued.
Tell me more.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
For organic pages, user intent becomes the most
important thing.
Think about what someone mighttype into Google when they're
searching for your specificproduct or service.
That's what needs to be frontand center in your title.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
So instead of brand category location, we go product
service location brand.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
You got it.
It's all about putting thatuser's needs first.
Let's say you're a bakery inChicago.
An optimized title for a blogpost about wedding cakes might
be Wedding Cakes, chicago,illinois, your bakery name.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
That makes so much sense.
You're speaking directly tosomeone who's actively searching
for wedding cakes in Chicago,and then you're introducing your
brand as a solution.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Exactly.
It's all about understandinghow Google thinks and
anticipating what your targetaudience is looking for.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
So we've talked about the ideal title structure, the
importance of location accuracyand tailoring our approach for
different types of pages.
But what about keywords?
Do we still need to cram thosein there?
Speaker 2 (04:03):
That's a great question, and it's actually
where things get reallyinteresting.
You see, google's evolved.
It's gone beyond simplymatching keywords.
It's more about understandingthe topic your page is covering.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Okay.
So instead of stuffing my titlewith every variation of
plumbing services imaginable, Ineed to think bigger.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Exactly.
Think of it this way Plumbingservices is a keyword, but
residential plumbing solutionsis a topic.
It covers a wider range of userintent.
It allows your page to rank formore diverse searches.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
So by focusing on topics, we're essentially
casting a wider net andincreasing our chances of
showing up in those relevantsearches.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Precisely, and here's where it gets even more
fascinating.
This approach aligns perfectlywith how Google's algorithms are
designed to crawl andunderstand websites.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
Crawl like little Google spiders are scurrying
through my website.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
Not literally spiders , but you get the idea.
Think of it as these littlebots.
They're scanning your content,trying to figure out what it's
all about.
By avoiding keyword stuffingand focusing on clear,
topic-driven titles, you'remaking their job easier.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
So it's not just about ranking high, it's about
making it as easy as possiblefor Google to understand and
index my website correctly.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
That's the key.
By screenlining your titles andeliminating unnecessary
repetition, you're clearing thepath for Google to recognize
your expertise and yourauthority on a given topic.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
This is eye opening.
It's like we're speakingGoogle's language by aligning
our titles with theirunderstanding of topics.
But how do we know what topicsare most relevant for our
business and our audience?
Speaker 2 (05:37):
That's where good old-fashioned research comes in.
Think about the problems yourideal customer is facing.
What language are they usingwhen they're searching for
solutions?
Online Tools like Google Trendsand keyword research tools can
help you identify trendingtopics in your industry.
And, of course, there's alwaysthe option of working with an
experienced SEO professional,someone who can guide you
through the process.
(05:57):
Mark MIRCHANDANI.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Right, and speaking of SEO professionals, there's
someone I'm really excited totalk about today, Bradley Benner
.
He's known for his data-drivenapproach to SEO and for
challenging conventional wisdomwith real-world testing.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Ah yes, bradley's a true innovator in the field.
His work is all about movingbeyond guesswork and using data
to back up SEO strategies.
He meticulously tests differenttitle structures, analyzes the
results and then shares hisfindings with the community.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
That sounds like the Rainmaker way always testing and
refining based on data.
What kind of insights hasBradley uncovered through his
experiments?
Speaker 2 (06:32):
One of his most compelling discoveries revolves
around the importance of payingattention to how Google displays
search results.
He found that even subtlevariations in title structure
can significantly impactclick-through rates.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
Wow.
So it's not just about rankinghigh, it's about standing out in
those search results andenticing people to click on your
link.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Exactly.
By understanding the nuances ofhow Google presents information
to users, you can optimize yourtitles to not only rank well,
but to attract attention.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
So we're talking about things like bolding
certain keywords or using emojisin our titles.
What are some of the specifictactics that Bradley has found
effective?
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Well, he doesn't advocate for gimmicks like
emojis, but he does emphasizethe strategic use of power,
words and phrases that resonatewith your target audience.
For example, instead of justsaying CRM software, you might
test a title like best CRM forsmall businesses or CRM
solutions to boost your sales.
It's all about crafting titlesthat speak directly to the
(07:31):
user's needs and pain points.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
That's really insightful.
It's almost like we need tothink of our SEO titles as mini
marketing campaigns inthemselves.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
That's a great way to put it.
You're not just informingGoogle, you're also persuading
potential customers to chooseyou, and Bradley's work proves
that even small tweaks can makea big difference.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
This is fantastic stuff, but before we get too
carried away with all theseexciting strategies, let's bring
it back to our listeners.
What are the key takeaways?
What should they keep in mindas they work on optimizing their
own SEO titles?
Speaker 2 (07:59):
I think the most important takeaway is this SEO
is a constantly evolving field.
What worked yesterday might notwork tomorrow.
Google is constantly tweakingits algorithms and we need to
stay.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
Right.
It's not a set it and forget itsituation.
We need to be willing to test,analyze and adjust our
strategies over time.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
Exactly, but there are some timeless principles
that remain crucial Understandyour target audience, focus on
relevant topics, align yourtitles with both user intent and
Google's understanding of yourwebsite and, of course, never
underestimate the power ofdata-driven decision making.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Those are excellent points.
So, as we wrap up this deepdive into SEO titles, I have a
challenge for all of youlistening.
Take a look at your website'spage titles With a fresh
perspective.
Ask yourself are these titlesoptimized for how Google thinks
now?
Are they clear, concise andcompelling?
Do they accurately reflect thetopics my business covers and,
(08:56):
most importantly, are theyenticing users to click and
learn more?
Speaker 2 (08:59):
That's a powerful call to action.
It's so easy to get caught upin the day-to-day of running a
business, but taking the time toreview and refine your SEO
titles, it can really have asignificant impact on your
online visibility and,ultimately, your bottom line.
Speaker 1 (09:10):
Exactly.
Remember, even small tweaks canmake a big difference.
Maybe you need to update yourlocation format to match
Wikipedia, or perhaps it's timeto shift your focus from
keywords to broader topics.
Or maybe, just maybe, you'lldiscover a hidden gem, a power
phrase that resonates perfectlywith your target audience.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
And don't be afraid to experiment.
Try out different titlestructures, track your results,
see what works best for yourspecific business and industry.
The beauty of SEO is that it'sa continuous learning process.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Couldn't agree more.
So, as we wrap up this deepdive into SEO titles, I want to
leave you with this Stay curious, stay adaptable and never stop
learning.
The world of SEO is constantlyevolving, but by staying
informed and embracing adata-driven approach, you can
ensure your local businessstands out in the ever-growing
digital landscape.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
And remember we're here to support you on your SEO
journey.
Check out the resourcesavailable on the Rainmaker
Reputation website and feel freeto reach out to our team If you
have any questions or needpersonalized guidance.
We're always happy to helplocal businesses like yours
thrive online.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
That's right.
Thanks for diving deep with ustoday on the Rainmakers Edge
Perspective.
We'll catch you next time withmore insights and strategies to
help you stay ahead of the curvein the world of marketing
technology.
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