When you make a search within Google you will note that more often than not the top results are related to ‘local business listing’ (including location maps). We are regularly asked by our customers how to get their businesses listed in these results and what additional value it will have in relation to their sites’ SEO – the method of listing your business is easy (you just need a Google account) and the value in terms of SEO is huge and best of all … it’s free to list!
How does it all work?
How do I claim my listing?
How do I make the most of it’s features?
Google have recently combined its Local Business Centre and Place Pages into one entity, and in addition added some new features.
In order help you get listed properly and make the most of the service, Google have recently published an in depth webinar explaining all. If you looking for more information or are new to the Google Business Centre/Google Places we highly recommend that you watch this, it really is a must see:
It is widely understood that your website should become the definitive online business/product range information repository and meet the requirements of all customers, markets and occasional site users. The functionality should facilitate and enhance any online marketing activities e.g. links to business blog, social media pages/profiles and news/press article related pages.
A business blog is a key part of any online marketing strategy and will create a point of connection with local and regional customers – it is an essential ‘interest generator’, creating an online buzz about your business and introducing the news, new product information and offers to the target audience.
A business blog is an effective link generator – Google has recently adjusted its search engine results pages to include additional social media filters, allowing users to filter results by type such as blogs, news, video etc. From this transition it is now widely recognised that Google index blog posts within a very short period of time – sometimes within hours! This change is extreme beneficial when considering SEO.
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So here is the scenario…. many moons ago when you first set up in business you took hours putting your contact information ‘out there’ on various directories, some free – some paid. That’s it then, all done? Well no…..
Has your telephone number or email address changed as your business has grown? Perhaps you have moved premises? What about all the extra services you now provide and those ones that you no longer find cost effective to offer anymore?
When we first work with customers, especially accommodation providers, we urge that they search the net for all references to them and their business. It is quite frightening to see what comes up sometimes i.e. room rates set at £25 when actually the price is now £50. So now begins the work of tidying up and updating and in future keeping on top of it.
All a bit daunting and time consuming. Well obviously you know that we can do it for you don’t you? Whether it is you or us who carries out this work a good place to start is to have all your information in one place so you can copy and paste where required:
Business Name
Contact Name
Telephone Number
Email Address
Website Address
Services Provided
10 / 50 / 100 / 500 word descriptions about your business
Once you have these in place then it is just a matter of trawling through every mention of you and your business, oh and a quick tip… don’t send every business listing or web link to your home page – send them to the most relevant page on your website for that particular directory or listing. Another tip, make your first stop the Google Business Centre – absolutely imperative that this is completely up to date.
Bell Ingram was founded 1899 and has some particularly traditional aspects to it’s business. Some of their current customers have been with them since the beginning, so the fact that they have embraced social media is quite an achievement as far as we are concerned.
We are pleased to say they have asked Aviemore Business Solutions to assist them with their social media campaign including website SEO. Their new website is having some adjustments to it as we speak that will assist us further with online marketing and they are ready for taking the business to a new level.
From estate agency to access logistics for windfarms, Bell Ingram can assist.   They already work with multinational companies such as BT and Shell and we are pleased to be able to call them a customer. Watch this space for ongoing news of their acheivements ….. and if you are looking to buy or sell your home then dont forget to call in the experts at Bell Ingram.  You can also follow them on Twitter and become a friend on Facebook.
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.
