With all the search options within the Google portfolio, it is essential that businesses utilise the Google local listings. Local & business listings are appearing more and more in the Google’s SERP’s in relation to geographical, regional and town/city related searches and users are becoming more and more used to seeing these listings and accepting them as highly relative to their specific searches.
With Google Local listings taking the top spot in most searches, it’s critical that you claim a listing for your business. Once done it is essential that your listing is set up correctly – below we have included some guidelines to help you:
- Claim and update your listing (and only one listing) – make sure the description is as relevant and keyword rich, in relation to your products and services, as possible. Select the correct business category and make sure you use all contact numbers complete with area codes. Include any additional content in line with other web listings to ensure continuity.
- Upload images and videos – ensure that you have logos and images of any products in relation to your business type. Place description tags for each but don’t overdo it and avoid ‘spammy’ labels
- Cultivate Reviews – this is good for user recommendation – other will be more likely to buy from a previously used and endorsed source, this is your opportunity to get business via online ‘word of mouth’. Encourage your client base to use your business listing as a point to leave reviews and refer to them in additional listings and blog posts
- “More about this place†– This section is a listing of mentions on the web that Google consider to be relevant and authoritive. It will usually list key listings, blog entries and social media profiles. This provides the user with a point of reference to find additional information about your business.
- User Content – this section lists additional user generated resources & mentions of your website and will list mainly sites that allow users to tag and mention additional sources such as Flickr, Google maps and Wikipedia
The Google Local listings are a very powerful (free) resource available via your Google account and we cannot stress enough the value of getting this right. So, make time to ensure your listing is as good as it can be – and if you don’t have the time, we are happy to help you or do it for you – contact us now.
Popularity: 5% [?]
As owners, David & Angela Wood at Garden Park Guest House in Grantown on Spey will tell you, the answer to the question ‘Visit Scotland – are they worth it?’ is a resounding no!
Friends and new customers David & Angela took the stand to pull out of Visit Scotland, the RAC and any other accommodation association and they havent looked back. Less stress, less money but definitely not less visitors.
We all know why it is good to be in these associations i.e. recognised standards for the general public with the grading system. However, what many of the public are not aware of are the constant discrepancies in the star system and the additional finances required to get to a standard only to be told you miss it by 1 point. That’s why, after tears and angry discussions with Visit Scotland amoungst others, David & Angela made the brave move to leave VisitScotland. So, have they regreted it? Most certainly not – and with the money they have saved they have gone and got themselves a brand new website.
Why not have a look for yourselves – my particular favourite pages on the new website are the facilities page which shows the quirky life size bears – something every guest comments on apparently – and the contact page which shows Arnie & Archie, the resident ‘boys’ who will welcome any weary traveller into the warm and cosy, friendly bed and breakfast. So if you are up in this area and need somewhere to stay that gives you something just a little bit special then the Garden Park Guest House is the place for you.
Popularity: 7% [?]
Clients Crianlarich Hotel nominated for industry awards
Hot on the heels of some great reviews and the award of 3 stars from the AA, The Crianlarich Hotel has been nominated for Turnaround Hotel of the Year, Best Value Hotel and Good Food Hotel at the Scottish Hotel Awards 2010.
Our clients are surprised but absolutely thrilled by the news. The awards are on Sunday 25th April and we wish them all the best!
If you would like to lend your support please vote using the below link.
The Scottish Hotel Awards – nominate, vote & support
Join them online on: Twitter | Facebook
Popularity: 4% [?]
3 star Scottish Hotel at Crianlarich
One of our new clients, The Crianlarich Hotel have recently been awarded 3-stars by the AA. Situated in Crialarich, ideally located near to Loch Lomond, The River Tay, Glencoe, Oban and the Western Isles, the hotel has also just installed a new kitchen, totally transformed the reception and opened their new restaurant. It is also rumored that the AA may return to inspect their food with a view to awarding them their first Rosette – our fingers are firmly crossed for them.
This great 36 room Scottish hotel, in a perfect situation is well worth a visit and we wish them all the best in gaining true recognition for all their hard work.
Join them online on: Twitter | Facebook
Read Guest Reviews on: Trip Advisor (97% of travellers recommend)
Popularity: 5% [?]
Google Ad Innovations
Google are currently testing a new type of paid advertising, specifically geared towards e-commerce websites. Much the same as traditional AdWords, the new innovation will incorporate a CPA (cost per action), whereby the advertiser only pays for the ‘click’ when the user click on the ad and completes a purchase on the website.
This new type of PPC, called Google Ad Innovations, integrates with the Google Merchant Centre account and is still only in early Beta testing – only a few advertisers have been given access to it’s developing functionality, but more will follow over time until it is rolled out within the Google service portfolio.
This could be major development in how many and how often e-commerce businesses utilise Google products for selling products online.
More information at http://bit.ly/dbJ4cc | More about SEO and Internet Market at www.aviemorebusiness.co.uk
Popularity: 5% [?]
