Saturday, December 18, 2010

Local Businesses Need Local Search - Avoid MapWide

Economies around the world are dependent on small local businesses. All businesses exist for profits, but local businesses strive more often, to get the patronage of its local residents. Every business owner wants to get ahead of everyone else; and as a result, stiff competition prevails among them. As we keep doing business with one in our neighborhood, most owners are getting creative with their marketing efforts. They are looking into using the search engines to spike sales at little cost depending on their objectives. The basic thrust is rooted in the idea that “your customers are looking for you.” So, here are some ways for your local business to be found:

* Major search engines (Google, Yahoo!, Bing) provide map applications for you to claim your listing and map your address. Do include other important information about your business. Specific local search advertising is the next huge advertising bonanza for small business

* When you are claiming a listing and creating an account, enter as many relevant details and upload as much significant content as possible. It’s important that you consider photos, videos and information most valuable to your customer such as video testimonials, photos of your place and so on.

Completing all details of your listing ensures that it has a good chance of rising to the top and that no one else can put in false information.

* A website is unnecessary if you use the local advertising model because they create a “mini-site” for you to help achieve quality ranking. A business address and contact number are all that you need to get listed and increase your search engine position.

* Data regarding your listing can be accessed through search engine tools. You can monitor the times your listing came up and analyze what people are clicking.

Building a website is relatively easy if you want to go that route and offers some advantages for your business. But it’s important to consider that websites are now a means for people to reach an informed decision. This makes it more relevant than if it were just a call for action tool. SEO will benefit local search and the following should be given some thought:

* Include your city

Sometimes, the difference from a 7-figure Google search results and a manageable 100,000 is a result of phrasing of the keywords or choosing the right keywords in the first place. It all seems a bit daunting. Sometimes the local businesses best bet is just subscribing to a local search engine, preferably vertical in nature, and have the work done for you.  Adding your city or region (i.e. Attorneys + Chicago IL) will streamline the search process for your prospects.

Your next step involves creating some pages written around your target phrases and specific city. Always make sure it’s well written and it contains both the keywords and some city-related phrases. Use the target phrases in the Title as well.

* Use your zip code

Using your specific zip code will get you rewarded with a higher placement. Guidelines for SEO using zip codes are similar to SEO using specific cities.

* Optimizing benefits of online review sites

Getting low cost online advertising is possible! You can consider a positive review about your business as proof that it can be effective and used for vigorous promotion of your business. Online search sites like MapWide.com can kill your premium rankings. You and your business are best served by avoiding scams search engines like MapWide.




No comments:

Post a Comment

Please leave any comments or suggestions. Thanks for showing an interest by visiting Core Values.