Google Local Search (escorts and agencies) posted: 23 Sep, 2011
Your business has powerful partners that are working hard to help you increase brand awareness and generate new leads. Are you taking advantage of Google, Yahoo and Bing’s new focus on Local SEO?
Google Places is the #1 place for local search marketing on the Web, and it’s largely free. Google Places gives your business visibility to potential customers even if you don’t have a website.
Local search queries differ from conventional searches in that you are adding a “where” component such as an address, a city or a post code to the “what” component (keyword, product, service etc) that you are looking for. For years, these searches have often been dominated by national competitors: large directory sites with thousands of pages and other non-local SEO powerhouses. Now, the game has changed and search engines want to feature your local business, your products and your services.
Google’s focus on local businesses has resulted in a dramatic change in search results compared to the past. Geo-targeted searches return Google maps listings that level the playing field for small businesses that have one huge edge over national competitors: a local address.
Without that all important street address it makes little difference how much money these companies throw at SEO. You can rank well and get in front of potential clients when and where they are.. This makes local search one of your most powerful tools for building awareness and establishing credibility and authority.
Whether you’re an iPhone, Droid or Blackberry user one thing is clear– the user experience on mobile puts everything at your fingertips. Apps that tie into Google maps or other local listings will often eliminate search listings altogether and only pull from these niche listings. Your business details, reviews and driving directions are at your customer’s finger tips and the only way you miss out is if you aren’t listed locally.
So how to feature well…..
Completion – Complete your Google places listing. So many businesses go half-way and provide the bare minimum but a thorough, complete Google places listing will rank better and provide a stronger user experience. This means photos etc – Google allows you to include a lot of information and remember: It’s ALL FREE.
Positive reviews are a powerful motivating factor for Google users deciding which business to buy from. First your reviewer must locate your business in Google Maps, click “More info”, and then click “Write a review”, then write the review, choose a rating, and click “Save”.
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Remember, we are here to help, we will provide free advise here via the blog, or talk to us on Twitter @69DesignLtd. if you would like further information please just call or e-,mail.
Richard and Mandy