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Promote your business using Google Local

Written by: Steven Schwartz

Article Overview: Do you want your website to appear on the search results on Google when people search for a local company? It’s actually quite easy to do with Google Local.

Promote your business using Google Local

Do you want your website to appear on the search results on Google when people search for a local company? It’s actually quite easy to do with Google Local.

The Internet is truly world-wide, but many customers look for a vendor in their immediate area to provide them with the goods and services they desire. For example, if you live in Vero Beach and search online for a new pediatric dentist, finding one in California is not helpful. However, finding one in Vero Beach is precisely what you need. Businesses who wish to promote themselves to their local customer base should make the small effort to appear on Google Local.

To do so, visit Google and sign in to your account with them, or sign up for a free account if you don’t already have one. Then, click the ‘Business Solutions’ link at the bottom center of the page, and then click the “Local Business Center” link in the left column. At this step, you may need to reenter your password. Click “Add a new listing” and proceed to fill out this empty form with as much information about your business as possible, including contact information, hours of operation, services, photos, videos and more. Be sure to confirm your precise location on the Google map. Oftentimes, Google will ask you to claim your listing or add a new listing, so click whichever is appropriate. When you have entered all pertinent information, the final step will be to request Google’s automated system to call you on the phone number that appears in your listing and for you to enter the four digit confirmation code. Once this confirmation step is completed, it takes approximately 24 hours for the listing to appear on Google’s search results.

There is no guarantee that your listing will appear high on Google’s rankings, or even appear at all. However, this is something that can be done that is quick, easy and is normally effective.

One additional thing you can do related to your Google Local Business listing is to embed the Google maps code on your website. This will generate a professional Google map that appears within the pages of your website. Your visitors can use this map to see your location, plan a route to get there, or to see the satellite view. Many physical locations on Google Maps now also show a street view, and you can see what it looks like from that particular location as if you were standing on the street. It is a very cool new feature.

I recommend that you spend 15 minutes now and search for your business on Google with a local point of view. For example, enter something like “Vero Beach Pediatric Dentist” or “Ft Pierce restaurants” or even “Vero Beach web design” – but enter the search as if you were a potential customer looking for YOUR business. See if you are listed in the results that appear in the Local listings, and see if your competitors are. If you don’t appear there, just follow these simple steps to have your business listed in this location tomorrow!

Steve Schwartz

Related Articles
  How To Set Up And Use Local Google Search
  How can a Local Business get on the First Page of Google?
  ••••••> Using Local Search to Get Top 10 Rankings on Google and Yahoo
  The Importance of Google Local
  ••••••>Getting Top SEO Ranking for Local Listings on Google Local, Yahoo Local, City Search etc.

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Related Forum Posts
Re: How can I promote my site? - I recently added my details to Google Places. Is that the same as a Google Local Business Listing?
Re: How can I promote my site? - [quote="smartcompanysoftware":1buq8jkk]I recently added my details to Google Places. Is that the same as a Google Local Business Listing?[/quote:1buq8jkk] Yes, they're the same. You add your business information so that you can be found on the web. You can engage with customers and much more. You just reminded me to add my business there as well. Thanks!
Re: Google Local Tutorial - Free Online Advertising - You have done a good job on the tutorial and thanks a million for the information, I have never known about Google Local before. I will implement it immedaitely
Re: Google Local Tutorial - Free Online Advertising - Hi GT, Thanks a lot for the referral. I have started signing up all my clients for Google Local. People are amazed that in two weeks they can have #1 listings for competitive local kewords. Tip: Don't stop by adding just one ad. As long as each page of your website is different and optimized for different keywords you should create multiple ad words for each page. Example: Type in "Minneapolis web development" in Google. You will notice we have two listings. One for our home page & one for our mission page. They are both optimized for "Minneapolis web development" so Google will approve both listings / ads. Jeff
Chain store hurdles - [quote:3v8nzz4s]Everyone I'm targeting are independent stores which helps me overcome one hurdle. [/quote:3v8nzz4s] What hurdle is that? I know the major stores like B&N, etc. like to deal with buyers and distributors, but I think they all cut some slack to "Local" authors, don't they? Every store I go into has its "Local Section," featuring local authors, as well as books about the locality. I wouldn't bypass them altogether. If you drive past one, why not go in and visit, talk to the manager, see what they say? [quote:3v8nzz4s]Bookstores want to order through Bowkers and I have their info and the ISBN (identification) numbers for my books. [/quote:3v8nzz4s] You mean the major chain ones do, right? Independent stores I think have no problem dealing directly with the publisher/author. But you want to get your money up front if possible in case they go out of business....as too many independents do these days.


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