Make sure to take advantage of a Google Local Business Center profile for your business
For small businesses with a storefront, you'll want to make sure that you fill out your profile in the Google Local Business Center. It's a great way to get found in Google Searches when people search for local products and services in your area. And best of all, it's free!
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Google Local Business Center Profile
Here is an example of a Google Local Business Center Profile
You can fill out a profile like this for your business by going to the Google Local Business Center.I'll be posting tips and tricks for how you can improve your profile and raise it up the list in these rankings. The formula for this is largely unknown, but we've discovered some methods for getting the best results in local searches, and we'll keep adding them to this page.
The way that Google determines search results ranking for these local pages is different than normal web page results. Here's a great article called the 10 Likely Elements of Google's Local Search Algorithm.
We also know that the completeness of the profile not only helps you stand out more for users in the search results, but helps your ranking as well. For example, profiles with more complete information filled in seem to rank better. Beyond your basic business information, some of the important elements include:
- Business Hours
- Photos and videos
- Coupons
- Number of Reviews
- Specialties or certifications (especially for doctors)
- Forms of payment accepted
In general, the more complete your profile, the better. And it is also better to have your own website to list in your profile listing as well. This will help you not only in local search results rank, but other search rankings.
The Expand2Web Blog
Local Search Updates, Tips and Tricks for Your Small Business
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byGreat Local Search Blogs and Resources
Here are some of my favorite blogs and links that cover Local Search topics.
- Local SEO Guide — Local search engine optimization & marketing made simple
- Andrew Shotland's Loc@l SEO blog is full of great tips on local search. Andrew used to work at InsiderPages and knows his stuff.
- Small Business SEM by Matt McGee | SEO and Marketing Discussion for Small Businesses
- Because not everyone can throw thousands of dollars at the 'How do we market ourselves online?' question...
- Understanding Google Maps & Yahoo Local Search | Developing Knowledge about Local Search
- Mike Blumenthal is the widely acknowledged local search Guru - his blog is called Understanding Google Maps and Yahoo Local Search.
- Screenwerk
- Greg Sterling's Screenwerk blog is also an excellent resource.
- SEO Igloo Blog
- Another good one.
- Google Maps Help Group
- This is a discussion about Google Local that is moderated by Google folks. Lots of questions answered in this discussion.
Local Search Blog Posts from Google
- How to Show Up in the Google Local Business Directory | Sparkplug CEO
- All search is local and you need local business from the search engines. We'll show you how to get more local customers through search marketing.
- The Google Local Business Centre - Search Engine Gold
- The Google Local Business Centre is therefore a great way for smaller businesses without the financial clout to conduct large amounts of SEO to get to the top of the SERPs. Local businesses can add details about their offerings to the ...
- How To Get Your Site on Google Local
- Claiming your business in Google Local is also imperative for any business owner. This is because there are people who will impersonate your business or hijack your listing and put their own information on it, which is not only ...
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by doncampbell
Don Campbell, founder of Expand2Web, helps small businesses get new customers from Google, Yahoo and MSN local searches. (more)
