subject: Why Google Place listing is more important for every local business [print this page] Why Google Place listing is more important for every local business
Technology is changing. Now people are moving from PC to lap to smart phones. US statistics shows that in average 5ooooo activations per day recoded for Google Andriod and iPhone now. When someone surf internet or Google something with city search, local listing is the first results they see and go with local listings. Another research data revealed that 73% of online activities are related with local content or in other words, with city search. 66% US people use local searches to find the their neighbouring local business. There is no date are so far to spread this trends to the entire world. people will give up yellow pages, phone directories etc. Another good research data shows that 82% local city based searchers follow up with phone calls. That's why SEO experts asking you to complete your Google listing with comprehensive information.
Recent changes on Google search results page also emphasising the value of local listing. Google map has taken high prominence and the web sites who have optimized both local listing and natural listing gain the biggest gain and the web sites who optimized the natural listing and ignore the local listing are suffering with the drastic drop in their positions. I guessed most of the time seven results go to Google places and if not much local business on local listing, natural listing web sites come up in their positions. The website who own the 2nd place in natural listing and no local listing optimized, now, it's current position may drop to 8th position. the visitor volume drop may highly hit the website.
Now you may understand the importance of the local listing optimization. However, optimizing your local business on Google, is not a simple task. Now it is very competitive and you should be maintain the 100% score to show up on first 5-7 listing. otherwise, only Google map shows up your business.
There are so many information to be filled in local listing and only few are compulsory. Many people ignore the complete profile and they are the people who lose the advantage of local listing. It may be your own website or your clients' sites, complete all the information and get the 100% score.
Use your targeted keywords wisely. don't use them excessively, but you should include good keywords in products and service information fields. If you over use this benefit, your listing may be rejected by Google. Keep in mind, this fabulous feature of Google is not operating fully, I have noted many forum threads complain about the Google local listing rejections. They won't specify the particular reason to reject the listing. Therefore you should handle this part very carefully.
To optimize you approved listing, you can asked your customers to do some review on Google, It will help to improve the optimization process and indirectly persuade your potential customers to come to your business.
While you are trying to optimize your local listing, try to submit your site for major local directories as well. It will support to optimize your local listing. Yelp, bing, yahoo,hotfrog, best of the web are few good local directories which you can list your business.
This is ensetial part in online business now,no matter whether you are big company or small company, you should have local presence to gain 73% from searchers with local keywords.
