Local Search Engine Optimization Services

On October 27, 2010, Google made it perfectly clear to Small Business Owners that they are serious about becoming the most powerful Local search marketing tool in the World for helping you find more customers In your Local Market."

Google has also made it very clear that they want to totally replace the Yellow Pages as the 'Go To' Place for local shoppers! Guess what? They already have!

The Google Local Search 7-Pack Is Gone!

If you are familiar with the Google Local Search results, you were used to seeing the local business map with what we call the "Google 7 pack" next to it. These results gave searchers a list of 7 local businesses based on the keywords the searcher used. On top of the 7 pack were a few pay per click ads and directly below it were your organic listings, usually directories and business websites.

All of that has drastically changed overnight as Google has completely changed the results page in what they are now calling "Place Search"

They have placed the map to the right of the screen and it floats down the page as you scroll down. The biggest change is that the organic results, (your website) has been pushed even further down the page. So, if your website was at the bottom of page 1, it will probably be bumped to page 2.

Why did Google completely change their local search results?

Before I get into how these changes affect you the small business owner, let's talk about why Google made this drastic change.

According to Google, "We've made results like this possible by developing technology to better understand places. One of the great things about our approach is that it makes it easier to find a comprehensive view of each place."

In other words they want the user experience to see more local business listings with more information.

What exactly did Google do to create this new local search results look?

Search results are generated by complex algorithms that Google uses to determine which websites are most relevant to garner top rankings. The businesses that do the best job of using search engine optimization will show up on page 1.

Until now, Google was using 2 separate algorithms, 1 for the organic results (your website) and 1 for the Google Places. (your local business listing) What Google has done is combine these 2 algorithms into 1. This major change has quite simply combined your business listing with your website to determine where your new listing will show up in the results page.

Why you need a website with local search engine optimization to get top rankings in the New Google Local Results.

Our research is showing that fewer and fewer of the non-website businesses are coming up in the new Google Place Search results. In fact, many of the small businesses that have well optimized locally focused websites and weak business listings are now ranking higher in the results page. It seems that just having a local business listing is not cutting it anymore.

A website that uses local SEO that complements their local business listing stands a very good chance of ranking high in the new Google Place Search.

If you do not have a website, get one! Not just a website, a locally focused, and search engine optimized one that targets your local market.

If you already have a website, take a good hard look at it.

Is it designed for your local market?
Is your address and phone number on every page?
Are you targeting all of the cities in your local area?
Is it optimized properly with the right title tags and keywords?

If not, it is time for a website redesign!

This major change in the way Google displays local search results has created a lot of anxiety amongst small business owners as well as many Internet Marketing Consultants. Businesses that were doing well in the original 7-pack results without having a website may need to rethink their strategy.

Before you hire a website design company or pay someone for a redesign , watch this free Video!

Build a Local Website

This is a FREE video tutorial that you need to watch before you pay anyone a dime to build or redesign your website.

The bottom line is, you need a well optimized website and local business listing if you want Google to pay attention to your local business.

How important does Google think Local Search is?

The fact that Google has created the new Local results "Place Search" that now dominates the entire local search results page, should tell you that they realize that local search is huge and is only going to get bigger. Google does not do things without a good reason.

Think of the first page of the Google search results as some of the most valuable real estate in the world. There are literally billions of local searches performed each month and the fact that the Google "Place Search" dominates the entire page, should tell you just how important they think local search is.

The new Google Local Search has completely destroyed the Yellow Pages.

A Google Local Business Listing is like a Yellow Pages ad on steroids! They not only list the name and phone number of your business, but also provide a ton of other great information too.

Along with your address, a searcher can pull up a map and get directions to your business. They can read reviews, look at photos, and even watch a video. You can post coupons and update them whenever you wish. They also get a link to your website. In short, everything they need to decide if they want to use your business. The Yellow Pages cannot compete with this type of marketing.

As a small business owner you have a huge opportunity to capitalize on the new Google Place Search.

Why? Most of your competition does not know that it even exists or are still trying to get by using traditional advertising to attract more customers.

High Google Rankings = More Traffic = More Customers

To be successful you must first realize that you can dominate Google local search if you take the right steps. Too many small business owners are under the impression that Google is too big and too expensive to conquer. Wrong!

Then, you must determine what keywords people are actually using to find your type of business. Once the right keywords have been found you must use local search engine optimization to get your website targeting these keywords.

Next, you must claim your Google local business listing and optimize it for the same keywords. Once it is optimized you need to gather as many citations as possible. Google loves citations.

When your website and local business listing are working together with the right keywords, you have an excellent chance to grab a top ranking in Google which will result in more customers. All of this is hard work and requires time and knowledge.

The Search Engines Never Sleep!

The most important thing you must understand is that Search Engine Optimization is an ongoing process. It is not a one time event. If you hire a SEO Company and pay them for a one time service, you may get good results at first, but over time your listing will slip in the rankings as your competition works to overtake you.

You must be willing to continuously monitor your traffic, keywords, and competition if you expect to remain on top of the Google local search results.

The sudden rise of Local Search Marketing has led to a flood of scams and inexperienced Internet Marketing consultants with little or no experience. They are able to take your money because they talk a great game, and most small business owners know nothing about SEO and how it's done.

Beware of those telemarketers that call promising top rankings in Google. How can they possibly make a guarantee without even knowing what your business does and what keywords you need to target.

Unfortunately, many small business owners have already been burned by these people and are reluctant to spend anymore money online for search engine optimization services.

Before You hire a Website Designer, Beware!

If you are getting ready to hire a website designer make sure they understand local SEO and set up your website to be search engine friendly from day one. If they don't do SEO, hire someone that does.

If you pay for a website that is not designed for the search engines you will receive little if any traffic and will end up redesigning the website some time down the road. In other words, you end up paying for your website design twice.

Do They Really Understand The New Google and Local SEO?

The main thing you must consider when searching for a search engine optimization service is do they understand how to combine your website and local business listing so they work together with the new Google Place Search. You are a local business and your website needs to be designed to show Google you are a local business and deserve page one rankings for your preferred keywords.

Local Search Marketing is the future for small businesses. Some business owners are already in the game and taking action to ensure that they have a place at the Google table going forward.

They understand that traditional marketing is failing and with over 2.8 billion local searches being performed online each month they want some of that action.

Unfortunately, many businesses are still ignoring the power of Local Search marketing and will pay a heavy price very soon. Many others are online and have websites that are designed wrong and have no search engine optimization to help them get top rankings and more traffic.

If you are serious about taking advantage of the new Google Place Search and want to be ahead of your competition there is a Local Internet Marketing Company with over 15 years of SEO experience that will give you a Free SEO analysis. No sales pitches, no obligation, just a complete picture of where you are online right now and what you need to do to get top rankings.

The new Google Place Search has created a huge opportunity for small business owners regardless of size to use local search engine optimization and grab a top spot and in turn attract more customers. Time is not on your side!