In this conversation, Danny Leibrandt interviews Blake Denman, a local SEO expert with 18 years of experience. They discuss Blake's journey into local SEO, the evolution of SEO practices, the importance of user experience, and the future of local SEO. Blake shares insights on conversion rate optimization, link building strategies, and the significance of community engagement for local businesses. They also touch on the tools and resources available for local SEO and the importance of testing and experimentation in SEO strategies.Key Takeaways:- Blake Denman has been in local SEO for 18 years and runs Rickety Roo.- The journey into local SEO can be unexpected and shaped by personal experiences.- Maintaining SEO rankings requires ongoing effort and strategy.- Search Experience Optimization (SXO) is becoming increasingly important.- Conversion rate optimization is crucial for maximizing traffic effectiveness.- User experience should be a primary focus in SEO strategies.- Local SEO practices have evolved significantly over the years.- Citations are now considered table stakes in local SEO.- Community engagement and sponsorships can enhance local SEO efforts.- Testing and experimentation are essential for effective SEO strategies.Blake Denman, Founder of RicketyRoo:Twitter: https://x.com/blakedenmanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakedenman/Website: https://www.blakedenman.com/RicketyRoo: https://ricketyroo.com/Danny Leibrandt, Founder of Pest Control SEO:Facebook: https://facebook.com/DannyLeibrandt LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/dannyleibrandt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DannyLeibrandt Website: https://dannyleibrandt.com Pest Control SEO: https://pestcontrolseo.com/ The Local Marketeer Platforms:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LocalMarketeer/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1TCL0LhZbsJS6mzanqnnT1?si=224075c9fbda42f5 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-local-marketeer/id1741176782 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e0bb5254-5d6c-4940-8211-085157cc1239/the-local-marketeer Audible: https://www.audible.com/podcast/The-Local-Marketeer/B0D1FCN28S?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp Podcast Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Blake Denman08:54 Understanding SEO Maintenance and SXO15:04 The Importance of Community Engagement20:47 Website Authority and Google Business Profile24:03 Link Building Strategies for Local Businesses37:16 The Importance of Unique Content43:06 Optimizing Google Business Profile 51:23 Staying Informed in Local SEO59:11 SEO Testing Strategies and Lessons LearnedAre you a pest control company owner looking to grow? Book a discovery call with us to see if you’re a good fit! Link here: https://calendly.com/dannyleibrandt/discovery#LocalSEO #linkbuilding #GoogleBusinessProfile #digitalmarketing #SEO #SEOtools #localmarketing