Johannesburg, 12 Mar 2013
If using a GPS-enabled device can prevent you from getting lost, just think how it can benefit the marketing of your business.
With Google Local (Previously Google Places), you can now get first page rankings and get great exposure online, without even having an optimised Web site, and in some cases, without even having a Web site.
Claiming your Google Places listing is a very straightforward process, but getting your listing into the top seven is a lot more challenging.
If you're a business providing services to your local area, but have not yet claimed your Google Places listing, you're in good company: an estimated 80% of local businesses haven't taken this important step. Those businesses run the risk of someone else claiming their listing, presenting potential customers with inaccurate information and missing out on valuable traffic and leads.
Google Local listings allow you to target millions of local customers who are searching online!
* Get your business in the first page of local Google search results.
* Drive traffic to your business from the first page of Google.
* You don't even need a Web site - free local profile page included!
* Make your phone ring by targeting excited customers who are ready to buy.
What is a Google Local listing?
Google Local listings are the new way people are connecting with local businesses online. The decline of the print Yellow Pages has opened up a new door for smart local businesses to connect with online customers. Google Local listings help your business to target the millions of local customers searching online
How do local listings work?
Google Local listings allow your business to appear on the first page of results for local-based searches. It's a 'shortcut' to the top of Google's results because you don't have to pay thousands to create a Web site and have it professionally optimised. Creating an optimised local business listing allows you to get exposure to millions of local customers for a fraction of the cost of other advertising.
Why you cannot ignore Google+ Local
* Forty-three percent of searches in Google display some local content
* Google Maps has 150 million mobile users
* Twenty percent of Google searches are for local information
Google Local Optimisation is one of the most overlooked and important aspects of Internet marketing if you own a local business. Without investing in PPC (pay per click) programs, your business listing can be at the top of Google in a matter of weeks, not months, like standard organic SEO.
Tips to get first page Google rankings (Article on Webgrowth)
Claim your listing
Go to Google Places and claim your listing. This will include a phone call or SMS verification and then normally within one to two weeks, your listing will be live within Google Maps
Consistent UNAP (URL, name, address and phone number)
Google pulls information from various sources to provide robust data about each business. It is important to keep a consistent business URL, name, address, and phone number (UNAP) to avoid search engine confusion. The information you list on the Web site should be consistent with the ones on your citations.
Go to as many citation Web sites as possible and list your business there. Google uses these as one of the ranking factors. Ensure that your company name, physical address and telephone number is exactly the same on all citation Web sites. (Please see the end of the article for a list of citation Web sites.)
Ask for reviews
Ask your clients to go to your Google Places listing one you have approved by Google and place a review there. Do not place false reviews, Google picks up if there are too many reviews placed too quickly and will penalise those companies.
Add a local phone number
Ensure that you have a local phone number with your local area extension on both your Web site and the Google Places listing. This is critical for Google to show your Google Places listing to the most relevant searches.
Have a physical address on your Web site
It is also very important that you have the physical address you use in citations on your Web site (preferably in the footer of each page). This helps to keep consistency and should get you higher rankings on Google Places.
Do's and Don'ts for Google Places
Do's for Google Places
* Ensure that you use the 200-character description wisely as this is very important
* Utilise all the category listings
* Create custom categories in addition to the ones provided
* Add videos
* Add images
* Include your opening hours
* Add coupons on a weekly/monthly basis
* Fill in every detail you can
Don't's for Google Places
* Place services and descriptions in your title (place your company name there)
* Create multiple listings for the same company if you only have one location
* Add multiple accounts under different business names at the same location
* Use a PO Box for the address
* Add dishonest reviews
* Spam the categories with geographic modifiers
* Citation directories
Citation directories are key to getting high Google Places listings on Google. But, just how do I find citations where I can list my business to stand a better chance of higher rankings?
A citation is basically any Web site that offers you the service of listing your business in a directory type listing that includes your business name, URL and telephone number.
To find citation directories, you can go to Google and search for "SA directory Web sites" and start by listing your Web sites on those sites that appear.
Five of the major citation directories are listed below:
* Ananzi - www.ananzi.co.za
* Tuugo - www.tuugo.co.za
* Cylex - www.cylex.co.za
* Easy Info - www.easyinfo.co.za
* Fyple - www.fyple.co.za
Do you need some advice/help with your Web site or online marketing campaign?
Please contact us for a no-obligation initial consultation.
Web site: www.webseo.co.za.
Share