Three easy steps to help local customers find you
How do you get listed on search engines without spending a lot of moneyall It's a question I receive from small business owners on a frequent basis.
In the buzz of the web world, many local businesses are amiss when it comes to competing with larger national company's placement on local business directories and on Google's local maps.
Use Google Maps to Build Your Business[/caption]
There are cost effective ways SWFL small business owners can utilize the internet to expand their business exposure and increase sales through "local search engine optimization". The internet is a big place and local SEO is just a more targeted approach to reaching your potential customers within a specific geographical location.
Potential customers searching for a local business in Google, for instance, will be able to find you located as one of the lucky 7 listed next to the regional map. Also known as the 7-pack, these are the businesses you may notice just to the right of the Google map when displaying the search results. Typically it includes a hyperlink to your website, contact phone number, and your address.
So how do you get "lucky"?
First step: Add your business to free business listings.
Begin with the largest search engines which include Google LBC, Yahoo local, MSN /Bing, and the Superpages. It's imperative that you complete as much of the information as possible in each of the directories. You can list your address, hours of business, logos and even pictures of your building or company vehicles. The more information you submit the more the search engines view you as a legitimate business, all of which aids in increasing your ranking.
One key to remember is to keep the information consistent across all directories.
By adding your businesses on the local business listing you create a low-cost to no-cost action that potentially can reach an unlimited number of people. And you can't beat the return on your investment of time spent increasing your exposure.
Second Step: Optimize your website to match your directory listing.
Choose certain keywords for your directory listing that describe your business and make certain those keywords are indexed on your site. The business directories will do their homework with the category you have chosen in the listing and verify your business website to make sure it is relevant.
Since the business directories already have established categories, the more specific you get with the keywords indexed on your site the increased chances you will have of being listed higher on the search engine results due to less competition for the more detailed searches.
As an added benefit, if a person searches the internet for "dentists" without a location, it will automatically default to the area businesses. This gives you, the local small business owner the ability to compete with the larger companies on the first page of Google.
Third Step: Add your information to as many directories as possible.
After you make certain you are listed on the larger directories take the time to continue listing on the smaller directories as well. There are hundreds of different options. The more you list the greater the chances of a higher ranking.
By: Betty Walker The "Wise Web Lady"
How do you get listed on search engines without spending a lot of moneyall It's a question I receive from small business owners on a frequent basis.
In the buzz of the web world, many local businesses are amiss when it comes to competing with larger national company's placement on local business directories and on Google's local maps.
Use Google Maps to Build Your Business[/caption]
There are cost effective ways SWFL small business owners can utilize the internet to expand their business exposure and increase sales through "local search engine optimization". The internet is a big place and local SEO is just a more targeted approach to reaching your potential customers within a specific geographical location.
Potential customers searching for a local business in Google, for instance, will be able to find you located as one of the lucky 7 listed next to the regional map. Also known as the 7-pack, these are the businesses you may notice just to the right of the Google map when displaying the search results. Typically it includes a hyperlink to your website, contact phone number, and your address.
So how do you get "lucky"?
First step: Add your business to free business listings.
Begin with the largest search engines which include Google LBC, Yahoo local, MSN /Bing, and the Superpages. It's imperative that you complete as much of the information as possible in each of the directories. You can list your address, hours of business, logos and even pictures of your building or company vehicles. The more information you submit the more the search engines view you as a legitimate business, all of which aids in increasing your ranking.
One key to remember is to keep the information consistent across all directories.
By adding your businesses on the local business listing you create a low-cost to no-cost action that potentially can reach an unlimited number of people. And you can't beat the return on your investment of time spent increasing your exposure.
Second Step: Optimize your website to match your directory listing.
Choose certain keywords for your directory listing that describe your business and make certain those keywords are indexed on your site. The business directories will do their homework with the category you have chosen in the listing and verify your business website to make sure it is relevant.
Since the business directories already have established categories, the more specific you get with the keywords indexed on your site the increased chances you will have of being listed higher on the search engine results due to less competition for the more detailed searches.
As an added benefit, if a person searches the internet for "dentists" without a location, it will automatically default to the area businesses. This gives you, the local small business owner the ability to compete with the larger companies on the first page of Google.
Third Step: Add your information to as many directories as possible.
After you make certain you are listed on the larger directories take the time to continue listing on the smaller directories as well. There are hundreds of different options. The more you list the greater the chances of a higher ranking.
By: Betty Walker The "Wise Web Lady"
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