SEO 101 – #9 – Google Local Listings
Learn how to get your own Google local site listing easily and what important pieces of information you should include.
Transcript
Lastly let’s talk about local listings in the search engines. If you remember, I touched on this when I talked about Map Spam in the Black Hat SEO Tactics section.
Having a local listing is by far one of the easiest things you can do for your business right now and completely free (for now).
Whereas before when searching for a local business you would have had to specify a location, for example, Pizza, Chicago, IL, now, all you need to do is type in the keyword and if there are enough businesses in your area that offer the same kind of services you do, you’ll see a map along with the location of the businesses as well as links to their sites. As you might imagine, this can be extremely beneficial to local businesses, especially if you’re in a highly competitive market.
In the image above, you’ll see that I’ve simply done a search for “Pizza”. No location such as city or state was specified. However, Google knows where I’m located based on the IP address of my computer and will then display to me a list of pizza places surrounding my location.
Chances are if you already pay for a yellow pages ad in your local phone book then you’re already listed in one of the major local search engines such as InfoUSA. However, if you’re not, that’s ok too because you can accomplish the same online goal by following a few simple steps.
First, you’ll want to head on over to http://www.google.com/local/add/. You’ll need a free Google account if you don’t already have one.
Once you’re there, click “Add Listing” and enter in all of your local business data including your country, your business name, address, phone number, email, website and a brief description of your business.
So let’s go over the most important areas.
Your business address: keep the business address exactly the same as you have it on your own site as well as the same way you have it listed in your yellow pages ad (if you have one). Consistency is key with Google.
Your telephone number: it’s important that you add a local telephone number not one that’s toll free. This will help Google determine your location. Again, keep it consistent with what’s listed on your website.
Your Website Address: Keep in mind that it is not necessary that you have a website already up and running in order to add your local business but when people are looking for detailed information it does help considerably.
Also, if you’re currently working on a new website that might not yet be ready, you can always come back and update this data later when your website is live.
The description of your business. Here you’ll want to include keywords related to your business but keep it readable for a site visitor. In other words, don’t simply place a long list of keyword phrases here but write to a person while still including related keywords.
Your hours, payment types you take, any videos, or photos.
Lastly, your business categories. This is where you enter in keywords related to your business and where you’ll have the most luck in showing up in the search results.
You’ll want to enter in keywords here related to your business but notice that as you begin to type, Google also offers some suggestions. My advice to you is to first use the keywords that you have chosen for your own business, those words and phrases related to the kind of business that you’re in but then use two or three of Google’s own suggestions.
Once you’re finished, submit the information and then CLAIM YOUR LISTING!!! This is so very, very important especially if you want to keep your listing out of the hands of your competitors and spammers.
The bottom line is, if you have not claimed your listing absolutely anyone under the sun can edit it for their own purpose.
This is a very painless process. Google will provide you with a PIN number either on-screen or will send you one via postcard – it’s your choice. If you choose to do it on-screen, Google will display to you your PIN number and then call you at the business number you provided so it’s very, very important that the number you placed in your listing is the same one that you have immediate access to.
Place your physical business address in the footer of every page of your website. This way when Google pays your site a visit they’ll see the actual location of your business which will in turn be the same information you just added to the local listing at Google. Remember, congruency is key.
Next, when you advertise a telephone number on your site, even if you do have an 800 number, it’s important that you also place your actual local telephone number on your site, again, ideally in the footer. Once again, Google makes note of this information and to risk sounding like a broken record, congruency is key.
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