Hawaii SEO
Local SEO Vs Destination SEO
As a Hawaii business your SEO will probably use 1, maybe even both of these SEO focuses:
Local SEO for Hawaii
Local SEO is a strategy that uses a variety of optimization techniques and outlets, including listings in directories or search engines specifically for your locale. The primary method, though, is by optimizing for your industry keyphrases along with the name(s) of the state, town or area your business serves.
For Hawaii businesses that means SEO keyphrases that would appear like this ‘Hawaii Keyphrase’ or ‘Honolulu Keyphrase’ or ‘Hilo Keyphrase’. This is for Hawaii businesses whose customers and clients are all or mostly local, whether that means from all Hawaii islands or just one, like Oahu or Kauai.
Reaching a local market on the search engines is even more important here in Hawaii. For many businesses, the geographic isolation means they only can serve those within the Islands. There's nobody over the state line who could also be your prospect. Your audience is contained completely on those volcanic creations we call home. Your SEO must reflect that intense focus.
Again, your SEO must concentrate on appearing for keyphrases that take in both the area, or Island(s), you serve plus your targeted keywords. For example, in my attempts to reach local clients looking for search engine optimization services I might want to target ‘Hawaii SEO’ or ‘Hawaii Internet Marketing’, not just ‘seo’ or other phrases by themselves.
That's just an introducton to Local SEO for Hawaii businesses, though. SEO's general goals and guidelines are always easier said then done. If it was easy, everyone would be at the top of the rankings. For now, let's move on to looking at another version of Local SEO, which we're calling 'Destination SEO'.
Destination SEO for Hawaii
What is Destination SEO for Hawaii businesses? It’s very similar to ‘Local SEO’, but the focus is outward, to searchers outside Hawaii. The most obvious businesses who’d benefit from this marketing view would be Hawaii’s #1 industry: tourism.
When someone from the mainland, or Japan, or anywhere else plans a vacation, they usually check out their options. To do that, these searchers are going to do almost the exact same thing that local Hawaii searchers do they enter the type of business or service keyphrase they want plus ‘Hawaii’, or ‘Honolulu’ or ‘Kauai’.
The difference is that we’re talking about a destination, probably a vacation related inquiry. The strictly local searcher, especially within Hawaii, is looking for something more day-to-day, rather than a helicopter tour of the lava flow.
Still, they share the need to modify and
restrict their search by geography or place name. Some businesses, such
as a Hawaii golf course, could benefit from both Local & Destination
SEO. They get business from visitors as well as locals, so reaching both
is good business.
SEO Common Ground
‘Local SEO’ and ‘Destination SEO’ share common ground in execution, but have different audiences. The businesses who’d primarily use the Destination SEO angle probably face a tougher race in the search rankings. That’s because their sales are generally for larger amounts, concentrated around a vacation and activities the buyer wouldn’t engage in at home, like a diving trip.
Plus they often are going up against better-funded mainland travel agencies and bookers. Still, that doesn’t mean their search engine optimization can’t beat the mainland’s, as long as it’s smarter and better targeted.
The key is to get your SEO started now. Hawaii businesses face very tough conditions to succeed. Search engine optimization is one way you can increase your chances of not just surviving, but seeing your business thrive.
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