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