Zip Codes in SEO

how important are zipcodes in SEO for sites that are targeting city business? besides the content and google local, shoud zip codes be implemented within the title tag? any additional advice?

thank you!

Zip Codes and Location names are very important in targeting traffic. If you only operate in a local area thens is best to include the location in the title tag!

THANKS

Using Zip codes in the content will be beneficial if you are a local promoter. Otherwise, its not so important for us to promote zip code.

yep, they are important. If you are geo targetting to local serps, you should put main keyword + zip code + some telephone numbers in title tag.

how many people know their area zip code and how many search products and services with zip code. Sounds crazy to me.

car insurance 90001

I wonder how many people actually type in a zip code when they are searching for something? I'd bet it's not a large number. I have never seen any in my keyword files for my sites. I use them occasionally... but I'm not really targeting local search per se.

I think it's valid to include them in contact information and addresses.

You could always use a few keyword tools to see if they are used in search phrases for your target audience. Google makes use of IP's for geotargeting... haven't really researched much if they use zip codes in their local search ranking algorithm. Might be an opportunity, might be over obsessing on something small. The tools to find out are there.

just to add to the comments above from marketingIQ above...I just entered my own postal code (canuck here) and I got 18 hits on google.ca...and ALL 18 were from real estate listings of houses/propertys for sale.

adding in say 'postal code lawyers' got me 16k hits, alll from what a first glance at shows local lawyers, so yes, it does "target" G to filter the results....

so, yes, a zip/postal code can help....but you'll need to research more just to find out how to use them to your client's advantage...



Jim

thanks!