subject: Local Search Engine Optimization Rules For Company Listings [print this page] Improving your search rankings can easily be hard work. And for local businesses it can easily be even harder to get noticed. However do not fear there is a means. Local search for small businesses has really exploded over the last few years. Now the local bakery, flower shop, and furniture store can get noticed too. In fact lots of them are being noticed. There are two questions for you however. One are you being seen? And 2 are you saying the right thing? With a bit of local search engine optimization you can make sure both takes place.
Local search is important for small companies no question about it. There is a huge opportunity and you should be maximizing it. However to get noticed you need to get listed. And with each listing you need the right info. So exactly what do you do?
Well your first step for constructing your local search presence should be to collect a list of local directories to submit to. Of course Google Places, Yahoo Local, and Bing Local ought to be at the top of the list. From there you'll want to get listed with as lots of secondary sources as possible. Such sources include SuperPages.com, YellowBook.com, Brownbook.net, MerchantCircle.com and so on. There are a ton of directory sites that you can easily get listed on so it'll take awhile to create your listings. However these directories are going to be very important to your online search engine optimization efforts. So identify as many as you can.
The following step is all about your submission. Each directory is going to ask you for certain company details. This is where you are going to be doing you local search engine optimization. And the 1st thing to keep in mind is to be consistent. The big search engines make use of directories to verify and support information that they already have. If you list your business under one name with Google Places and another with SuperPages.com you're simply going to confuse everyone.
So what kind of info will you need for your local search engine marketing efforts?
1. Business title. What name are you operating under? Is it "Andy's Auto Clinic" or "Andy's Automotive Center"? The easy thing to do right here is to use your legal name or DBA. Just ensure you stick to it for every listing.
2. Business Description. Before you begin your submissions write out an extensive summary of just what you do. And ensure to include keywords about your business. If you do "custom vehicle restoration" then state so. However don't "stuff" your listing with keywords. That'll just hurt you in the long run.
3. Your physical location. This is a must for local companies. You need to make sure to feature a location. And if your business is in a specific suite number make certain to include it. Your building might have other businesses in it and if they don't include a unit number then there could be some confusion. And if you have not already done it place your address on your web site. Preferably in the footer of each webpage but at the least in the contact us page. Search engines like to read addresses on websites.
4. Contact Information. Put your telephone number in your listing. Office phone numbers and fax numbers ought to be listed. Just how else may possible clients reach you? Many listings will permit an email. Featuring a general customer service email for the company is a really good idea.
5. Pictures and videos. These aren't absolutely needed for helping search engines list you in local search results however if you have them include them. Also something as easy as a business logo helps create trust with prospective consumers.
6. Website URL. This should always be included, presuming you have a site. It is very important not only for the link you just created but it additionally helps folks to pay a visit to your web site and learn more about your business.
7. Hours of operation. This is optional information that directories will definitely be asking for. If you keep formal hrs then include them in your listing. They will definitely appear in local search results and is simply a really good piece of info for prospective clients to see.
8. Payment. Once more this isn't essential however can assist with the user experience.
If you're intending on setting up your local listings yourself then these are some necessary points to take into account. Stay consistent with each of your listings and you'll soon be getting seen.
